Patent ID: 8262836

Claim:
A method comprising: preparing a first weld location on a first polymer piece by adding one or more first additives that selectively affect first dielectric properties of the first weld location, the one or more first additives comprising nanoparticles; imposing an ordered orientation of the nanoparticles in the first weld region; applying pressure to bring the first weld location into abutment with a second weld location on a second polymer piece, the second weld location having second dielectric properties; delivering microwave energy to the first weld location and the second weld location in a controlled manner to promote a first microwave absorbance in the first weld location that is governed by the first dielectric properties and a second microwave absorbance in the second weld location that is governed by the second dielectric properties, the first microwave absorbance generating a first melt-flow condition in the first weld location that is compatible with a second melt-flow condition generated in the second weld location by the second microwave absorbance, the microwave energy comprising a polarization that is preferentially absorbed by the nanoparticles in the ordered orientation; and creating a welded seam joining the first weld region to the second weld region.