Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy from a primary reactor coolant to a secondary coolant. The heat exchanger is formed with a hot flow channel, a cold flow channel, and a porous layer between the hot flow channel and the cold flow channel. The porous layer may be thermally insulative to reduce the efficiency of thermal energy transfer from the hot flow channel to the cold flow channel. The porous layer may have a control gas passed therethrough that can be tailored to control the thermal energy transfer through the porous layer. The control gas can be tested for leakage within the heat exchanger. The control gas may also be used to sequester fission or activation products.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for automatically provisioning customer-specific credentials on a gateway device, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), or the like. A method, according to one implementation, includes the step of determining when a remote gateway device is connected to a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) server via a network. The remote gateway device is intended to enable one or more user devices in a Local Area Network (LAN) to access the Internet via the network and PPPoE server. The method also includes the step of automatically configuring customer-specific PPPoE credentials on the remote gateway device to thereby enable the PPPoE server to authenticate the remote gateway device and grant Internet access.

Abstract: A fuel element has a ratio of area of fissionable nuclear fuel in a cross-section of the tubular fuel element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to total area of the interior volume in the cross-section of the tubular fuel element that varies with position along the longitudinal axis. The ratio can vary with position along the longitudinal axis between a minimum of 0.30 and a maximum of 1.0. Increasing the ratio above and below the peak burn-up location associated with conventional systems reduces the peak burn-up and flattens and shifts the burn-up distribution, which is preferably Gaussian. The longitudinal variation can be implemented in fuel assemblies using fuel bodies, such as pellets, rods or annuli, or fuel in the form of metal sponge and meaningfully increases efficiency of fuel utilization.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for high data mode operation in cellular networks. A UE may determine, for an interface to a high-speed cellular network, a categorization from a plurality of categorizations, determine availability of the high-speed cellular network, and select, based at least in part on the categorization and availability of the high-speed cellular network, the interface for a data connection to the high-speed cellular network. The categorization may be one of expensive or not expensive and/or one of a first level associated with a higher compression codec rate or a second level associated with a lower compression codec rate. The UE may receive, from one of the a low-speed cellular network or the high-speed cellular network, carrier plan information for a cellular data service carrier and analyze the carrier plan information to determine desirability of a switch, e.g., from the low-speed cellular network to the high-speed cellular network.

Abstract: A base station receives an alert indicating a geofenced area, and determines whether its coverage area is completely within the area. If so, the base station generates/sends a wireless emergency alert (WEA) to user equipment in the coverage area that does not indicate the area. Otherwise, the base station generates/sends a WEA that indicates the area. The base station sends action messages that indicate a periodicity and end time for the user equipment to determine whether its location is within the geofenced area, a lack of service time limit and lack of service action for the user equipment to perform after it has been without cellular service for the lack of service time limit, a lack of location time limit and lack of location action for the user equipment to perform if its location cannot be determined for the lack of location time limit, and/or that the WEA has ended.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform detection and mitigation of data stalls. The mitigation may occur during and/or at initiation of a data connection. The wireless device may establish a data connection(s) with a network over a Wi-Fi or cellular interface and monitor the data connection(s) for a data stall condition(s)/hint(s). The wireless device may perform a remedial action(s) responsive to detection of a data stall condition(s)/hint(s), including initiating a service recovery of the cellular interface, initiating a radio access technology (RAT) upgrade procedure, and/or initiating a handover procedure to a neighbor cell.

Abstract: A base station receives an alert indicating a geofenced area, and determines whether its coverage area is completely within the area. If so, the base station generates/sends a wireless emergency alert (WEA) to user equipment in the coverage area that does not indicate the area. Otherwise, the base station generates/sends a WEA that indicates the area. The base station sends action messages that indicate a periodicity and end time for the user equipment to determine whether its location is within the geofenced area, a lack of service time limit and lack of service action for the user equipment to perform after it has been without cellular service for the lack of service time limit, a lack of location time limit and lack of location action for the user equipment to perform if its location cannot be determined for the lack of location time limit, and/or that the WEA has ended.

Abstract: A nuclear reactor includes a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy from a primary reactor coolant to a secondary coolant. The heat exchanger is formed with a hot flow channel, a cold flow channel, and a porous layer between the hot flow channel and the cold flow channel. The porous layer may be thermally insulative to reduce the efficiency of thermal energy transfer from the hot flow channel to the cold flow channel. The porous layer may have a control gas passed therethrough that can be tailored to control the thermal energy transfer through the porous layer. The control gas can be tested for leakage within the heat exchanger. The control gas may also be used to sequester fission or activation products.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for high data mode operation in cellular networks. A UE may determine, for an interface to a high-speed cellular network, a categorization from a plurality of categorizations, determine availability of the high-speed cellular network, and select, based at least in part on the categorization and availability of the high-speed cellular network, the interface for a data connection to the high-speed cellular network. The categorization may be one of expensive or not expensive and/or one of a first level associated with a higher compression codec rate or a second level associated with a lower compression codec rate. The UE may receive, from one of the a low-speed cellular network or the high-speed cellular network, carrier plan information for a cellular data service carrier and analyze the carrier plan information to determine desirability of a switch, e.g., from the low-speed cellular network to the high-speed cellular network.

Abstract: A method of handling spent nuclear fuel assemblies immerses the spent nuclear fuel assemblies in water in a relatively short time period when compared to traditional methods. A spent nuclear fuel assembly is removed from a nuclear reactor, an inert gas is applied to the fuel assembly, moisture content in the inert gas is gradually increased as it is applied to the fuel assembly, and the fuel assembly is immersed in water. The fuel assembly is immersed relatively quickly, within about 2 hours or less, which improves safety and allows normal processing and handling equipment to care for the fuel assembly. The fuel assembly may then be loaded into a cask for long-term storage and/or disposal.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for high data mode operation in cellular networks. A UE may determine, for an interface to a high-speed cellular network, a categorization from a plurality of categorizations, determine availability of the high-speed cellular network, and select, based at least in part on the categorization and availability of the high-speed cellular network, the interface for a data connection to the high-speed cellular network. The categorization may be one of expensive or not expensive and/or one of a first level associated with a higher compression codec rate or a second level associated with a lower compression codec rate. The UE may receive, from one of the a low-speed cellular network or the high-speed cellular network, carrier plan information for a cellular data service carrier and analyze the carrier plan information to determine desirability of a switch, e.g., from the low-speed cellular network to the high-speed cellular network.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for high data mode operation in cellular networks. A UE may determine, for an interface to a high-speed cellular network, a categorization from a plurality of categorizations, determine availability of the high-speed cellular network, and select, based at least in part on the categorization and availability of the high-speed cellular network, the interface for a data connection to the high-speed cellular network. The categorization may be one of expensive or not expensive and/or one of a first level associated with a higher compression codec rate or a second level associated with a lower compression codec rate. The UE may receive, from one of the a low-speed cellular network or the high-speed cellular network, carrier plan information for a cellular data service carrier and analyze the carrier plan information to determine desirability of a switch, e.g., from the low-speed cellular network to the high-speed cellular network.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dynamic baseband management for a wireless device. The wireless device may be an accessory device. The accessory device may determine whether it has a short-range wireless communication link with a companion device. The accessory device may determine one or more proximity metrics relating to the companion device. The accessory device may further determine one or more metrics associated with user settings, user activity and/or application activity at the wireless device. The wireless device may select a (e.g., full, limited, or off) baseband operating mode based on any or all of these considerations.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform detection and mitigation of data stalls. The mitigation may occur during and/or at initiation of a data connection. The wireless device may establish a data connection(s) with a network over a Wi-Fi or cellular interface and monitor the data connection(s) for a data stall condition(s)/hint(s). The wireless device may perform a remedial action(s) responsive to detection of a data stall condition(s)/hint(s), including initiating a service recovery of the cellular interface, initiating a radio access technology (RAT) upgrade procedure, and/or initiating a handover procedure to a neighbor cell.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dynamic baseband management for a wireless device. The wireless device may be an accessory device. The accessory device may determine whether it has a short-range wireless communication link with a companion device. The accessory device may determine one or more proximity metrics relating to the companion device. The accessory device may further determine one or more metrics associated with user settings, user activity and/or application activity at the wireless device. The wireless device may select a (e.g., full, limited, or off) baseband operating mode based on any or all of these considerations.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to dynamic baseband management for a wireless device. The wireless device may be an accessory device. The accessory device may determine whether it has a short-range wireless communication link with a companion device. The accessory device may determine one or more proximity metrics relating to the companion device. The accessory device may further determine one or more metrics associated with user settings, user activity and/or application activity at the wireless device. The wireless device may select a (e.g., full, limited, or off) baseband operating mode based on any or all of these considerations.

Abstract: A fuel element has a ratio of area of fissionable nuclear fuel in a cross-section of the tubular fuel element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to total area of the interior volume in the cross-section of the tubular fuel element that varies with position along the longitudinal axis. The ratio can vary with position along the longitudinal axis between a minimum of 0.30 and a maximum of 1.0. Increasing the ratio above and below the peak burn-up location associated with conventional systems reduces the peak burn-up and flattens and shifts the burn-up distribution, which is preferably Gaussian. The longitudinal variation can be implemented in fuel assemblies using fuel bodies, such as pellets, rods or annuli, or fuel in the form of metal sponge and meaningfully increases efficiency of fuel utilization.

Abstract: A fuel element has a ratio of area of fissionable nuclear fuel in a cross-section of the tubular fuel element perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to total area of the interior volume in the cross-section of the tubular fuel element that varies with position along the longitudinal axis. The ratio can vary with position along the longitudinal axis between a minimum of 0.30 and a maximum of 1.0. Increasing the ratio above and below the peak burn-up location associated with conventional systems reduces the peak burn-up and flattens and shifts the burn-up distribution, which is preferably Gaussian. The longitudinal variation can be implemented in fuel assemblies using fuel bodies, such as pellets, rods or annuli, or fuel in the form of metal sponge and meaningfully increases efficiency of fuel utilization.

Abstract: A computerized system for modeling reactor fuel element and fuel design to determine the thermo-mechanical performance thereof includes a processor coupled to memory, the memory configuring the processor to execute a fuel element analysis and an output configured to communicate data that describes the thermo-mechanical performance of the fuel element and fuel design based on the fuel element performance analysis. The processor is configured to estimate the mechanical behavior of a fuel by creating separate variables for the open and closed porosity components, conducting a routine for the open and closed porosity components that processes the current state of the fuel and updates the current state and forces of each of the open and closed porosity components, and combining the updates for the current state and forces according to a weighting; and estimate the creep and swelling behavior of a cladding.