In the Continuous Casting process, molten metal is poured through a die of the desired outside profile. If an inner shape is also desired, the material may flow around a mandrel to create that profile. As the material flows through the water-cooled die, sufficient heat is extracted to solidify an outer shell.
In the comic strip, when the heroic Flash Gordon and his friends land on the fictional planet Mongo, they found it was ruled by an evil Emperor, a despot who quickly becomes their enemy. He was not named at first, only being known as the Emperor until several issues later when his name was revealed to be Ming.
Princess Aura is Ming's daughter. She falls in love with Flash Gordon and risks her father's displeasure to protect him. She's jealous of Dale Arden and will resort to anything to defeat her rival for Flash's attention. Princess Aura first appears in the fourth installment of the Flash Gordon (comic strip). When Ming orders that Flash be shot, Aura impulsively stands in front of Flash, rescuing him. Flash disappears down a trap door, and Aura jumps down to follow him.