Abstract: Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable storage media are disclosed for generating focused preview images that include the subjects of interest of digital images. For example, in one or more embodiments, the disclosed system utilizes a machine-learning model to generate a saliency map for a digital image to indicate one or more salient objects portrayed within the digital image. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the system identifies a focus region based on focus information captured by a camera device at the time of capturing the digital image. Furthermore, the system can then utilize the saliency map and the focus region to generate a focused preview image. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the system crops the digital image based on an overlapping portion of the saliency map and the focus region to generate a focused preview image.

Abstract: Various embodiments receive frames as a stream captured during a camera session. During the camera session, faces and facial features of each face are detected from the frames. Then, each face in each frame is assigned a score based on the detected facial features. Using the scores, a candidate frame is selected for each individual face to represent a “best” representation of that face. In addition, an overall score is calculated for each frame based on a combination of assigned scores for the faces in the frame. Then, a reference frame is located from the frames based on the overall score for a respective frame. Faces from the candidate frames are then merged onto the reference frame, and an output image is generated for display.

Abstract: Techniques for removal of obstructions in a digital image scene are described, in which target and source digital images that exhibit parallax, one to another, are obtained that were captured together by an image capture device at a similar point in time using two different lenses of the image capture device. A foreground obstruction is identified based on displacement in apparent position of objects in the target and source digital images. The foreground obstruction is removed from the target digital image, such as by generating an obstruction mask that represents the location of the foreground obstruction and copying pixels from the source digital image to the target digital image based on the locations identified in the obstruction mask. The target digital image with the obstruction removed is output to a user interface or service provider system, for example.

Abstract: Polypyrrole/carbon (PPy/C) composite doped with organic anion p-toluenesulfonate (pTS) is utilized as an electrode in supercapacitor for energy storage application. The surface initiated in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization yields a composite material PPy/C in the presence of varying concentrations of pTS. The novelty of the present invention lies in the doping of PPy/C composite with organic anion pTS and consequent enhancement of its electrochemical activity and stability. The conjugation length and electrical conductivity of pTS doped PPy/C composites increase with the increase in dopant concentration. The pTS doped PPy/C composite synthesized using equimolar concentration (0.1 M) of pTS to pyrrole shows the maximum specific capacitance of ˜395 F/g in 0.5 M Na2SO4 aqueous solution with significant stability ˜95% capacitance retention after ˜500 cycles.

Abstract: Various embodiments receive frames as a stream captured during a camera session. During the camera session, faces and facial features of each face are detected from the frames. Then, each face in each frame is assigned a score based on the detected facial features. Using the scores, a candidate frame is selected for each individual face to represent a “best” representation of that face. In addition, an overall score is calculated for each frame based on a combination of assigned scores for the faces in the frame. Then, a reference frame is located from the frames based on the overall score for a respective frame. Faces from the candidate frames are then merged onto the reference frame, and an output image is generated for display.

Abstract: A reflection removal system is capable of automatically removing from digital images reflections related to photographic illumination sources (“flash”), at the time of capture, without user intervention. In an embodiment, the reflection removal system receives a set of digital images taken at substantially the same time from a camera, where one of the image is affected by flash. The images are divided into blocks, and a threshold is determined for each block, indicating the brightest pixel value related to the content of the block. The reflection removal system compares each pixel in the flash-affected image to the corresponding threshold, and generates a digital mask based on the comparison. The reflection removal system creates a corrected image based on the digital mask, such that pixels affected by flash are modified based on corresponding pixels in the other images. In an embodiment, the corrected image is color blended.

Abstract: Polypyrrole/carbon (PPy/C) composite doped with organic anion p-toluenesulfonate (pTS) is utilized as an electrode in supercapacitor for energy storage application. The surface initiated in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization yields a composite material PPy/C in the presence of varying concentrations of pTS. The novelty of the present invention lies in the doping of PPy/C composite with organic anion pTS and consequent enhancement of its electrochemical activity and stability. The conjugation length and electrical conductivity of pTS doped PPy/C composites increase with the increase in dopant concentration. The pTS doped PPy/C composite synthesized using equimolar concentration (0.1 M) of pTS to pyrrole shows the maximum specific capacitance of ˜395 F/g in 0.5 M Na2SO4 aqueous solution with significant stability ˜95% capacitance retention after ˜500 cycles.

Abstract: A fuel basket spacer, and system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials comprising: a body having a cavity for receiving radioactive materials; a basket positioned in the cavity comprising a plurality of cells; and a structure having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a central passageway; the structure positioned in the cavity so that the basket extends through the central passageway of the structure; and wherein the internal perimeter of the structure corresponds to the external perimeter of the basket in size and shape and the external perimeter of the structure corresponds to the perimeter of the cavity in size and shape. Circumferential clearances are provided between structure and the basket and the structure and the body that are eliminated when exposed to a residual heat load of the radioactive waste.

Abstract: A fuel basket apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus suitable for transporting and/or storing spent nuclear fuel rods comprising: a basket formed from a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in a rectilinear configuration, the gridwork of plates forming a plurality of cells for receiving spent nuclear fuel rods; the basket comprising one or more flux traps that regulate production of neutron radiation; and wherein the plates are constructed of a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with spent nuclear fuel is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with spent nuclear fuel comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; and a source of non-reactive gas. The system further flows the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and repetitively measures the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is a specially designed ring-like structure for providing neutron and gamma radiation shielding for high level radioactive materials that produce residual heat. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus for storing radioactive waste comprising a plurality of the ring-like structures arranged in a stacked assembly that completely surrounds an internal containment boundary. Collars can be provided at the ring-to-ring interfaces. The ring-like structures can have specially geometrically designed and/or arranged voids for receiving neutron absorbing materials that completely surrounds the containment boundary with the neutron shielding material.

Abstract: A canister apparatus, basket apparatus and combinations thereof for transporting and/or storing high level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The canister apparatus comprises a cavity for receiving the spent nuclear fuel that is surrounded by two independent gas-tight containment boundaries. The structures that form the two independent gas-tight containment boundaries are in substantially continuous surface contact with one another, thereby facilitating sufficient heat removal from the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a basket apparatus having a plurality of disk-like grates arranged in a stacked and spaced arrangement so that the cells of the disk-like grates are aligned. In still another aspect, the invention can be a basket apparatus having a disk-like grate having a ring-like structure encompassing a gridwork of beams specially arranged to achieve a unique cell configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of preparing a canister having a cavity loaded with wet radioactive elements for dry storage, the method comprising: (a) providing a gas circulation system comprising means for removing moisture from gas; (b) connecting the gas circulation system to the canister so as to form a hermetically sealed closed-loop path that includes the cavity; and (c) circulating a non-reactive gas through the hermetically sealed closed-loop path until a desired vapor pressure is achieved in the cavity of the canister, the circulating non-reactive gas becoming wetted as the non-reactive gas flows through the canister and dried as the non-reactive gas flows through the moisture removal means.

Abstract: A fuel basket spacer, and system and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste.

Abstract: A fuel basket apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus suitable for transporting and/or storing spent nuclear fuel rods comprising: a basket formed from a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in a rectilinear configuration, the gridwork of plates forming a plurality of cells for receiving spent nuclear fuel rods; the basket comprising one or more flux traps that regulate production of neutron radiation; and wherein the plates are constructed of a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A transfer cask for maximizing the radiation shielding for spent nuclear fuel during cask transfer procedures has a cylindrical inner shell forming a cavity within which a spent nuclear fuel canister can be placed; a cylindrical outer shell concentric with and surrounding the inner shell to form an annulus with the inner shell, the annulus adapted for receiving gamma absorbing material; a jacket shell concentric with and surrounding the second shell to form a jacket for holding a neutron absorbing liquid; the jacket shell having filling and drainage systems; and a removable bottom lid so that a canister can be lowered from the cavity into a transport cask or permanent storage cask.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for ensuring that cavities used to store radioactive elements are adequately dried without intrusive measuring. In one aspect the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with radioactive elements, the loaded cavity having a free volume (VF), a starting vapor pressure (vPS), and a cavity pressure (PC), the system comprising: a non-reactive gas source adapted to supply a non-reactive gas to the system; means to cool a non-reactive gas to a temperature (TC) thereby drying the non-reactive gas; means to flow the dry non-reactive gas to the cavity, the flow means adapted to introduce the dry non-reactive gas to the cavity at a flow rate R for a period of time (t); and means to remove wet non-reactive gas from the cavity; wherein the non-reactive gas source, the cooling means, the flow means, the removal means, and the cavity are fluidly coupled; wherein TC and R are controlled to achieve a desired vapor pressure (vPD) in the cavity in time t.