Abstract: A device for use with welding systems and processes, comprising an encapsulating apparatus configured to encapsulate a welding torch nozzle at the tip thereof, wherein the apparatus includes an upper body portion which mounts on the nozzle; and a lower body portion which extends beyond the tip of the nozzle toward a work surface; and wherein during a welding process the apparatus encapsulates a welding electrode passing through the tip of the nozzle, an arc generated by the welding torch, and a weld pool surface directly above the work surface during deposition of the weld pool, and wherein the encapsulating apparatus prevents atmospheric gases from entering the weld pool during the welding process and reduces the shielding gas requirements compared to current gas shielded torch apparatuses, and wherein derivatives of the lower body portion are configured to accommodate unique welding grooves, joint designs, and DED additive manufacturing work piece geometries.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent caller to agent assignment receive requests to establish a voice call session for a plurality of callers, identify demographic information, score a caller-agent combination to generate a plurality of scores, determine the caller-agent combination with a highest score of the plurality of scores, and assign a first agent of the caller-agent combination with the highest score to the voice call session for a caller, and when a first agent is concurrently assigned to another voice call session for another caller, execute one or more iterations until (i) the first agent is assigned to one of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller and (ii) a second agent of another caller-agent combination is assigned to the other of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent caller to agent assignment receive requests to establish a voice call session for a plurality of callers, identify demographic information, score a caller-agent combination to generate a plurality of scores, determine the caller-agent combination with a highest score of the plurality of scores, and assign a first agent of the caller-agent combination with the highest score to the voice call session for a caller, and when a first agent is concurrently assigned to another voice call session for another caller, execute one or more iterations until (i) the first agent is assigned to one of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller and (ii) a second agent of another caller-agent combination is assigned to the other of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent caller to agent assignment receive requests to establish a voice call session for a plurality of callers, identify demographic information, score a caller-agent combination to generate a plurality of scores, determine the caller-agent combination with a highest score of the plurality of scores, and assign a first agent of the caller-agent combination with the highest score to the voice call session for a caller, and when a first agent is concurrently assigned to another voice call session for another caller, execute one or more iterations until (i) the first agent is assigned to one of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller and (ii) a second agent of another caller-agent combination is assigned to the other of the voice call session for the caller and the another voice call session for the another caller.

Abstract: Methods are described for making a texturized catalyst. The textural promoter may be a high-surface area, high-porosity, stable metal oxide support. The catalyst is manufactured by reacting catalyst precursor materials and support materials in a single, solvent deficient reaction to form a catalyst. The catalyst may be particles or a coating or partial coating of a support surface.

Abstract: Methods are described for making a texturized catalyst. The textural promoter may be a high-surface area, high-porosity, stable metal oxide support. The catalyst is manufactured by reacting catalyst precursor materials and support materials in a single, solvent deficient reaction to form a catalyst. The catalyst may be particles or a coating or partial coating of a support surface.