The NEOS GR is an original “upside down” microwave alembic that combine microwave heating and earth gravity at atmospheric pressure.
This method involved placing plant material in a microwave reactor, without adding any solvent or water.

The internal heating of the in-situ water within the plant material distends the plant cells and leads to the rupture of glands and oleiferous receptacles. The physical phenomenon, known as hydrodiffusion, allows the extract (water and essential oil) diffused outside the plant material, to drop by earth gravity out of the microwave reactor and fall through a perforated Pyrex disc.

A cooling system outside the microwave oven cools the extract continuously.

Water and essential oil are collected and separated in a vessel traditionally called the “Florentine flask”.