Abstract: Methods and systems are described for sequentially obtaining a plurality of data streams, the plurality of data streams comprising a data stream in a current condition, a data stream in a skewed-forward condition, and a data stream in a skewed-backward condition, calculating, for each data stream in the plurality of data streams, a corresponding set of cost-function values by obtaining a corresponding set of eye measurements, the eye measurements obtained by adjusting a sampling threshold of a sampler generating a plurality of samples of the data stream, the plurality of samples comprising edge samples and data samples, wherein the data stream is sampled at a rate equal to twice a rate of the data stream and calculating the corresponding set of cost-function values based on the corresponding set of eye measurements, and generating a skew control signal based on a comparison of the sets of calculated cost-function values.

Abstract: The power monitoring system has: a local power range monitor (LPRM) unit that has a plurality of local power channels to obtain local neutron distribution in a nuclear reactor core; an averaged power range monitor (APRM) unit that receives power output signals from the LPRM unit and obtains average output power signal of the reactor core as a whole; and an oscillation power range monitor (OPRM) unit that receives the power output signals from the LPRM unit and monitors power oscillations of the reactor core. The output signals from the LPRM unit to the APRM unit and the output signals from the LPRM unit to the OPRM unit are independent.

Abstract: Zirconium-based metal alloy compositions comprise zirconium, a first additive in which the permeability of hydrogen decreases with increasing temperatures at least over a temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C., and a second additive having a solubility in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. At least one of a solubility of the first additive in the second additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. and a solubility of the second additive in the first additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. is higher than the solubility of the second additive in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. Nuclear fuel rods include a cladding material comprising such metal alloy compositions, and nuclear reactors include such fuel rods. Methods are used to fabricate such zirconium-based metal alloy compositions.

Abstract: Zirconium-based metal alloy compositions comprise zirconium, a first additive in which the permeability of hydrogen decreases with increasing temperatures at least over a temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C., and a second additive having a solubility in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. At least one of a solubility of the first additive in the second additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. and a solubility of the second additive in the first additive over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. is higher than the solubility of the second additive in zirconium over the temperature range extending from 350° C. to 750° C. Nuclear fuel rods include a cladding material comprising such metal alloy compositions, and nuclear reactors include such fuel rods. Methods are used to fabricate such zirconium-based metal alloy compositions.

Abstract: To provide a data transmission system capable of reducing skews between a reference signal and a phase modulation signal and accelerating data transmission. In a data transmission system having a transmitter for transmitting a reference signal and a phase modulation signal having a phase difference related to the value of input data from the reference signal and a receiver for obtaining data in accordance with the phase difference between the received reference signal and phase modulation signal, the transmitter transmits the reference signal and an adjustment signal having no phase difference before transmitting data and a control circuit variably controls delay values of variable delay devices so that the phase difference between the reference signal and adjustment signal received by the receiver decreases.

Abstract: A subcritical reactor-like apparatus for treating nuclear wastes, the apparatus comprising a vessel having a shell and an internal volume, the internal volume housing graphite. The apparatus having means for introducing a fluid medium comprising molten salts and plutonium and minor actinide waste and/or fission products. The apparatus also having means for introducing neutrons into the internal volume wherein absorption of the neutrons after thermalization forms a processed fluid medium through fission chain events averaging approximately 10 fission events to approximately 100 fission events. The apparatus having additional means for removing the processed fluid medium from the internal volume. The processed fluid medium typically has no usefulness for production of nuclear weapons.

Abstract: A nuclear excited power system includes a gaseous core nuclear reactor through the core of which helium is passed. The helium is excited by the high energy radiation from the nuclear reactor and is coupled to a reaction chamber wherein the high energy helium mixes with hydrogen and a halogen, such as, chlorine. The energy thus transferred to the hydrogen and chlorine causes the hydrogen and chlorine to combine to form a hydrogen chloride plasma. The high temperature, high pressure hydrogen chloride plasma drives a turbine, magnetohydrodynamic generator or other electromechanical device to form electrical and/or mechanical energy. The helium and hydrogen chloride exhaust products are separated with the helium coupled back to the reactor core. The hydrogen chloride is disassociated and coupled back to the reaction chamber.