Jeff,
Interesting re the panel discussion,
"...the panel included Mark Benedict who serves as the chief technical advisor for the America Makes National Innovation Institute. He gave a positive implication towards research that was to be completed soon, but did not speak directly. I thought of the America Makes 4027 presentation in El Paso next week, but I had my PR3D colored glasses on...."
And thanks for qualifying your excitement with admission of wearing PR3D colored glasses! And I very much want to believe also, admittedly. With that acknowledged, I'll mention that I read Mark Benedict's bio within the link that you supplied on the panel and his expertise does sound notably on point and in common with Sigma's product, process and mission. I'm not an engineer and my understanding of the technology is superficial -- but the language/description between his bio and Sigma's spiel, some of it sounds almost identical.
Would it be the case as Chief Technical Advisor that he'd be involved with any number of -- about to be completed/announced research initiatives? Still, given his background Sigma's work with GE Aviation could possibly be of special interest/excitement to him, you think?
Interesting to speculate about!