Abstract: A method of forming a valve seat of an engine head formed from a first composition includes forming a groove at a predetermined valve seat location of a bore defined by the engine head. A source of directed heat energy preheats at least the valve seat location to about a temperature of the melting point of the first composition with the source of directed heat energy. The source of directed heat energy is infused with a material having a second composition generating a melt pool upon the groove by direct metal deposition with the melt pool including the second composition. The second composition includes a heat conductivity generally equal to a heat conductivity of the first composition for providing efficient transfer of heat energy from the first composition to the second composition.

Abstract: A source of heat energy and a source of material for performing a material additive process upon the thin wall member is disclosed. A fixture is located relative to the thin wall element. The source of heat energy used for forming a joining member between the workpiece and the fixture to fixedly secure the fixture to the workpiece preventing the thin wall member from deforming when subject to the source of heat energy. A direct material additive process is upon the thin wall member adding material to the thin wall member to improve physical characteristics of the thin wall member. The joining member is mechanically removed from the workpiece after the work piece cools. A portion of the material is mechanically removed from the thin wall member to achieve desired dimensional characteristics.

Abstract: A method of performing direct material deposition onto a metallic substrate uses a source of an energy beam. A nozzle is coordinated with the source of the energy beam for infusing material relative to the energy beam generated by the source. The energy beam creates a melt pool on the metallic substrate. The source of the energy beam and the nozzle move along a predetermined path to generate a material deposition bead upon the substrate. A pre-heater is provided that is cooperatively controlled with the source of the energy beam and the nozzle. The pre-heater is moved along the predetermined path preceding the energy beam for heating the metallic substrate prior to the energy beam generating the melt pool. The nozzle infuses the melt pool with material for creating a direct material deposition bead upon the metallic substrate.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite article is disclosed. The method comprises the step of providing a substrate having a melting point temperature T1. The method additionally comprises the step of forming a buffer layer having a melting point temperature T2 on the substrate. Finally, the method comprises the step of forming a metallic layer having a melting point temperature T3 on the buffer layer to prepare the composite article. In the method to prepare the composite article, T1<T2<T3.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wear resistance of a metallic substrate includes applying a coating of an interstitial element to a surface of a substrate. A laser beam is directed onto a localized area of the metallic substrate coated with the interstitial element locally raising a temperature of the metallic substrate to a temperature causing the interstitial element to diffuse into the substrate. A layer of alloy including the interstitial element is generated onto the localized area of the metallic substrate. A focal point of the laser beam is disposed at a location spaced from the surface of the substrate for optimizing a power density of the laser beam at the surface of the substrate. The coating of interstitial element not diffused into the substrate is removed exposing the layer of alloy including the interstitial element.

Abstract: A system and a method for content recommendations among devices which are connected or networked with each other are provided. The method includes recommending broadcast channels, programs, recorded contents, normal copied contents or computer generated contents in a networked environment. Recommendation can be send from originator to recipient in the form of text message, audio message or picture representation of the contents.

Abstract: Direct metal deposition (DMD) is used to fabricate knife edges with extended service life. A metal alloy powder is deposited along a blank and melted with a laser beam so that the powder solidifies into a strip of material having a hardness and/or wear resistance greater than that of the starting material. The piece is then finished to produce a sharp edge in the solidified material. The powder may be melted while it is being deposited, or it may be melted after being deposited. A slot or groove may be formed in the blank with the metal alloy powder being deposited into the slot or groove. A hardened steel alloy powder is deposited onto a mild steel blank. For example, a tool steel or vanadium steel powder may be deposited onto a 1018 steel blank. An invention line-beam nozzle may be used for deposition and/or powder melting.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing a plurality of groups of time-series gene expressions including determining a time-dependent score that comprises a difference between the gene expression in the first group at a given time point and the gene expression in the second group at the given time point, determining an expected difference parameter that comprises a difference between a mean expression of the gene in a third group of samples and a mean expression of the gene in a fourth group of samples, created by randomly dividing the samples into two equal groups, comparing a difference between the time-dependent score and the expected difference parameter to a threshold at the given time point, determining the significant genes at each time point on the basis of the comparison.

Abstract: Direct metal deposition (DMD) is used to fabricate knife edges with extended service life. A metal alloy powder is deposited along a blank and melted with a laser beam so that the powder solidifies into a strip of material having a hardness and/or wear resistance greater than that of the starting material. The piece is then finished to produce a sharp edge in the solidified material. The powder may be melted while it is being deposited, or it may be melted after being deposited. A slot or groove may be formed in the blank with the metal alloy powder being deposited into the slot or groove. A hardened steel alloy powder is deposited onto a mild steel blank. For example, a tool steel or vanadium steel powder may be deposited onto a 1018 steel blank. An invention line-beam nozzle may be used for deposition and/or powder melting.