Systems and methods for thermal barrier coatings to modify engine component thermal characteristics

A method of modifying a component of an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:

• identifying the component of the internal combustion engine for thermal characteristic modification;
• determining a thermal map across a surface of the component, the surface comprising a first area and a second area;
• and
• applying a first coating of a thermal barrier coating to the first area of the surface to reduce a temperature difference between a first area of the surface and a second area of the surface.

A valve for use in an internal combustion engine, the valve comprising:

• a stem;
• a head that transitions from the stem, the head comprising a surface that receives a portion of heat generated during a combustion of a fuel, wherein the surface comprises a first area having a first rate of temperature change and a second area having a second rate of temperature change, wherein the second rate of temperature change is lower than the first rate of temperature change;
• and
• a first coating of a thermal barrier coating applied to the first area, the first coating configured to reduce a rate of heat transfer into and out of the first area in order to reduce a difference of a rate of temperature change between the second area and the first area.