Abstract: A method for friction stir forming a metal matrix composite (MMC) structure (76). The method includes the step of providing a substrate (12) comprising a metallic material and securing a preformed MMC layer (14, 16) comprising an MMC material in a position overlying at least a portion of the substrate (12). The method further includes the step of friction stirring the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with a friction stirring tool (50) which includes a rotating probe (56), including locating the probe (56) at a stirring depth at which the probe (56) extends through the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) into a portion of the substrate (12) and passing the tool (50) through the preformed MMC layer (14) at the stirring depth to friction stir the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) and integrate the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with the substrate (12).

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a cold compactible metallic powder, the method comprising: providing (i) a first metallic powder comprising large metal particles and (ii) a second metallic powder comprising small metal particles, wherein the d50 particle size of the second metallic powder is less than the d50 particle size of the first metallic powder; combining at least the first metallic powder and the second metallic powder to provide a precursor powder comprising the large metal particles and the small metal particles; and subjecting the precursor powder to an impact blending process to adhere the small metal particles to the large particles, thereby producing a cold compactible metallic powder comprising non-spherical particles, wherein the non-spherical particles comprise one of the large metal particles as a core and a plurality of the small metal particles as protrusions from the core.

Abstract: A method for friction stir forming a metal matrix composite (MMC) structure (76). The method includes the step of providing a substrate (12) comprising a metallic material and securing a preformed MMC layer (14, 16) comprising an MMC material in a position overlying at least a portion of the substrate (12). The method further includes the step of friction stirring the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with a friction stirring tool (50) which includes a rotating probe (56), including locating the probe (56) at a stirring depth at which the probe (56) extends through the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) into a portion of the substrate (12) and passing the tool (50) through the preformed MMC layer (14) at the stirring depth to friction stir the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) and integrate the preformed MMC layer (14, 16) with the substrate (12).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cellular geopolymer product, which method comprises the steps: (a) forming an activated geopolymer premix by addition to a geopolymer premix of an activator compound that initiates a condensation reaction in the geopolymer premix; (b) casting the activated geopolymer premix in a desired configuration; and (c) generating gas bubbles in the activated geopolymer premix as the condensation reaction proceeds and the activated geopolymer premix stiffens to produce a self-supporting cellular structure; and (d) curing the self-supporting cellular structure to produce the cellular geopolymer product, wherein in step (c) the characteristics of the activated geopolymer premix and the reaction kinetics of the condensation reaction are controlled to achieve formation of the self-supporting cellular structure.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and a terminal for implementing image sequencing. The method includes: analysing an eye feature of a user when the user reviews images, so as to obtain and record duration for which the user reviews each of the images; and performing sequencing on the images according to the recorded duration for which the user reviews each of the images. The technical solution of the disclosure analyses the eye feature of the user when reviewing images, obtains the durations for which the user reviews the images, and performs sequencing on images of interest to the user by means of the durations so as to enable the images of interest to the user to be ranked higher, thereby increasing the efficiency by which a user reviews images, and improving user experience.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cellular geopolymer product, which method comprises the steps: (a) forming an activated geopolymer premix by addition to a geopolymer premix of an activator compound that initiates a condensation reaction in the geopolymer premix; (b) casting the activated geopolymer premix in a desired configuration; and (c) generating gas bubbles in the activated geopolymer premix as the condensation reaction proceeds and the activated geopolymer premix stiffens to produce a self-supporting cellular structure; and (d) curing the self-supporting cellular structure to produce the cellular geopolymer product, wherein in step (c) the characteristics of the activated geopolymer premix and the reaction kinetics of the condensation reaction are controlled to achieve formation of the self-supporting cellular structure.

Abstract: A method of producing a geopolymer product, which comprises: preparing an activated geopolymer premix by addition to a geopolymer premix of an activator compound that initiates a condensation reaction in the geopolymer premix; forming the activated geopolymer premix into a desired configuration to form a geopolymer structure; and curing the geopolymer structure to produce the geopolymer product, wherein the characteristics of the activated premix are controlled and the condensation reaction allowed to proceed for a period of time prior to forming such that when formed the activated premix forms a self-supporting geopolymer structure.