<ul><li>Researchers in Switzerland have conducted experiments to explore the effects of microwaves on low-temperature chemical reactions.</li><li>The study demonstrated how microwave pulses can slow down reaction rates through nonthermal mechanisms, providing insights into complex effects that occur at very low temperatures.</li><li>By cooling the internal motions of the molecules, the researchers were able to conduct rigorous experiments that tested theoretical models and confirmed that the reaction rate can vary based on the rotational state of the molecules.</li><li>Additionally, the study discovered that microwaves can slow down reaction rates through mechanisms unrelated to heating the molecules, offering new possibilities for controlling reactions between ions and neutral molecules.</li></ul>

Microwaves slow down chemical reactions at low temperatures

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