Introduction to AMPERE

AMPERE (Association for Microwave Power in Europe for Research and Education) is an "European" non-profit association devoted to the promotion of microwave and radio frequency heating techniques for research and industrial applications. Despite the fact that AMPERE is a European association, it has a world-wide membership domain which comprises industrialists, academics and consultants.

The interests of the Association are very wide and encompass academia, commerce, domestic as well as industrial applications. Research and technology transfer plays an important role in the association's activity, making the co-operation between industry and academic institutions a fundamental objective of the association.

AMPERE association was established in September 1993, when its formation was announced at the International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating in Gothemburg, Sweden. To be recognized thoughout the EU and beyond, from 22 January 2003 the existing AMPERE Association became a non-profit Company registered at Company House in London, bearing the name AMPERE EUROPE LIMITED and the existing Association was dissolved.

As a non-profit company, AMPERE has to abide by the following set of Memoranda and Articles. An elected committee currently manages the Company. Its incumbent President is Dr. Elías de los Reyes.

AMPERE Activities

The activities sponsored by AMPERE include biennial conferences, workshops, technical committees, periodical publications, specialist conferences and meetings and educational programmes.

Conferences

The main conference organised on behalf of AMPERE is known as the "International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating" and is held biennially. There have been seven such conferences in Europe: Cambridge (1986); Arnhem (1989); Nice (1991); Gothenburg (1993); Cambridge (1995), Fermo (1997), Valencia (1999), Bayreuth (2001), Loughborough (2003) and Modena (2005).

Additionally, two Microwaves in Chemistry meetings have been sponsored by AMPERE. The first was held in Prague (1998) and its follow-on will be held in Juan-les-pins near Antibes, 4-7 September 2000.

AMPERE has also endorsed the first and second World Congresses held in Florida, USA, which took place in January 1997 and in April 2000 respectively.

Fellowship of AMPERE

A major distinction of the association is the election of Fellow of AMPERE. Fellow of AMPERE is reserved for AMPERE members who have distinguished themselves in specific aspects of radio frequency and microwave heating. It is bestowed on individuals with a sustained record of excellence. At present the Fellows are:

The Newsletter

The AMPERE Newsletter appears quarterly and covers short topical articles written by experts in the field. Typically it also includes a profile, conference reports, advertisements, a calendar of events and news items on various aspects of radio frequency and microwave energy usage in the ISM frequency band, covering topics broadly from 1 MHz to 30 GHz, although higher frequencies have also been covered. It also highlights on promising new research developments to emanate from academe and industry.

Currently, the AMPERE Newsletter is produced by the Electricity Utilisation Group at Cambridge University and edited by Dr. Ricky Metaxas. Short articles for inclusion in the Newsletter are very welcome and prospective authors should contact the editor in the first instance.

Membership

The membership at present is about 150 strong. The membership copmrises of 40% academics, 34% industrialists, 18% from research institutes, 14% consultants and the renainder from public or professional bodies.

If you wish to join the association click here to download a form which upon completion should be sent to Mrs June Lennie, the AMPERE administrator. There are also special offers for corporate membership for multiple members from the same organisation. Please enquire with Mrs Lennie.