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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Measurement of charge and light yields for 127 Xe L -shell electron captures in liquid xenon

Dark matter searches using dual-phase xenon time-projection chambers (LXe-TPCs) rely on their ability to reject background electron recoils (ERs) while searching for signal-like nuclear recoils (NRs). ER response is typically calibrated using β -decay sources, such as tritium, but these calibrations do not characterize events accompanied by an atomic vacancy, as in solar neutrino scatters off inner-shell electrons. Such events lead to emission of x rays and Auger electrons, resulting in higher electron-ion recombination and thus a more NR-like response than inferred from β -decay calibration. We present a cross-calibration of tritium β -decays and Xe 127 electron-capture decays (which produce inner-shell vacancies) in a small-scale LXe-TPC and give the most precise measurements to date of light and charge yields for the Xe 127 L -shell electron-capture in liquid xenon. We observe a 6.9 σ ( 9.2 σ ) discrepancy in the L -shell capture response relative to tritium β decays, measured at a drift field of 363 ± 14 V / cm ( 258 ± 13 V / cm ), when compared to simulations tuned to reproduce the correct β -decay response. In dark matter searches, use of a background model that neglects this effect leads to overcoverage (higher limits) for background-only multi-kiloton-year exposures, but at a level much less than the 1 - σ experiment-to-experiment variation of the 90% C.L. upper limit on the interaction rate of a 50 GeV / c 2 dark matter particle.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2025

Description of di-hadron saturation signals within a universal nuclear parton distribution function approach

Di-hadron and di-jet correlation measurements in proton-nucleus (𝑝+𝐴) and electron-nucleus collisions are widely motivated as sensitive probes of novel, nonlinear quantum chromodynamices saturation dynamics in hadrons, which are particularly accessible in the dense nuclear environment at low values of Bjorken-𝑥 (𝑥 A ). Current measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) observe a significant suppression in the per-trigger yield at forward rapidities compared to that in proton-proton collisions, nominally consistent with the “mono-jet” production expected in a saturation scenario. However, the width of the azimuthal correlation remains unmodified, in contradiction to the qualitative expectations from this physics picture. I investigate whether the construction of these observables leaves them sensitive to effects from simple nuclear shadowing as captured by, for example, universal nuclear parton distribution function (nPDF) analyses. I find that modern nPDF sets, informed by recent precision measurements sensitive to the shadowing of low-𝑥 A gluon densities in LHC and other data, can describe all or the majority of the di-hadron/jet suppression effects in 𝑝+𝐴 data at both RHIC and the LHC, while giving a natural explanation for why the azimuthal correlation width is unmodified. Notably, this is achieved via a (𝑥 A ,𝑄 2 )-differential suppression of overall cross sections only, without requiring additional physics dynamics which alter the interevent correlations.

Jets & heavy flavor physics↗
DOE OSTI2023

Exclusive QCD Factorization and Single Transverse Polarization Phenomena at High-Energy Colliders

This Ph.D. thesis is divided into two distinct parts. The first part focuses on hard exclusive scattering processes in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) at high energies, while the second part delves into spin phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Hard exclusive scattering processes play a crucial role in QCD at high energies, providing unique insights into the confined partonic dynamics within hadrons, complementing inclusive processes. Studying these processes within the QCD factorization approach yields the generalized parton distribution (GPD), a nonperturbative parton correlation function that offers a three-dimensional tomographic parton image within a hadron. However, the experimental measurement of these processes poses significant challenges. This thesis will review the factorization formalism for related processes, examine the limitations of some widely used processes, and introduce two novel processes that enhance the sensitivity to GPD, particularly its dependence on the parton momentum fraction x. The second part of the thesis centers on spin phenomena, specifically single spin production, at the LHC. Noting that a single transverse polarization can be generated even in an unpolarized collision, this research proposes two new jet substructure observables: one for boosted top quark jets and another for high-energy gluon jets. The observation of these phenomena paves the way for innovative tools in LHC phenomenology, enabling both precision measurements and the search for new physics.

Yu, Zhite↗
DOE OSTI2024

Interparticle Characterization of Mechanical Biomass Particle-Particle and Particle-Wall Interactions

The biomass materials industry faces significant challenges in managing material variability and its impact on storage and handling systems. Physical properties such as moisture content, particle size, and density fluctuate considerably, leading to operational issues like bridging and ratholing that disrupt material flow. These variations create a complex cascade effect throughout the process chain, affecting transportation, storage, and conversion processes. The economic consequences of this variability manifest in increased operational costs, maintenance requirements, and system downtime. Environmental factors further complicate the situation, as weather conditions and seasonal availability influence material properties and system performance. Engineers employ specialized equipment design, material characterization protocols, and pre-processing steps like size reduction and homogenization to address these challenges. A critical knowledge gap exists between continuous-level constitutive models and particle-scale behavior. This project developed a novel device to quantify interparticle mechanics between biomass particles, measuring friction and adhesion forces between particles and wall materials. The research focused on corn stover and southern pine forest residue, creating a comprehensive database of particle interactions. This breakthrough enables direct application in particle-based computational modeling, advancing the field's understanding of biomass handling characteristics and supporting the development of more reliable and efficient storage and handling systems. The project's outcomes contribute significantly to understanding biomass's mechanical and flow characteristics, particularly how variability at the particle level affects larger-scale handling operations. This knowledge is crucial for engineering feedstock supply systems that consistently meet quality and cost specifications for various conversion processes. The innovative experimental setup developed through this research represents a significant advancement in biomass characterization methodology. Providing precise measurements of particle-level interactions establishes a foundation for more accurate predictive modeling of bulk material behavior. This enhanced understanding of fundamental particle mechanics enables engineers to anticipate better and address handling challenges before they manifest in full-scale operations. This research opens new avenues for optimizing biomass handling systems through data-driven design approaches. The comprehensive database of particle interactions serves as a valuable resource for future research and development efforts, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective biomass processing solutions. This advancement in particle-level mechanics could revolutionize how biomass handling systems are designed and operated, contributing to more sustainable and reliable renewable energy production.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Time-Energy Uncertainty Relation for Noisy Quantum Metrology

Detection of very weak forces and precise measurement of time are two of the many applications of quantum metrology to science and technology. To sense an unknown physical parameter, one prepares an initial state of a probe system, allows the probe to evolve as governed by a Hamiltonian 𝐻 for some time 𝑡, and then measures the probe. If 𝐻 is known, we can estimate 𝑡 by this method; if 𝑡 is known, we can estimate classical parameters on which 𝐻 depends. The accuracy of a quantum sensor can be limited by either intrinsic quantum noise or by noise arising from the interactions of the probe with its environment. In this work, we introduce and study a fundamental trade-off, which relates the amount by which noise reduces the accuracy of a quantum clock to the amount of information about the energy of the clock that leaks to the environment. Specifically, we consider an idealized scenario in which a party Alice prepares an initial pure state of the clock, allows the clock to evolve for a time that is not precisely known, and then transmits the clock through a noisy channel to a party Bob. Meanwhile, the environment (Eve) receives any information about the clock that is lost during transmission. We prove that Bob’s loss of quantum Fisher information about the elapsed time is equal to Eve’s gain of quantum Fisher information about a complementary energy parameter. We also prove a similar, but more general, trade-off that applies when Bob and Eve wish to estimate the values of parameters associated with two noncommuting observables. We derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for the accuracy of the clock to be unaffected by the noise, which form a subset of the Knill-Laflamme error-correction conditions. A state and its local time-evolution direction, if they satisfy these conditions, are said to form a metrological code. We provide a scheme to construct metrological codes in the stabilizer formalism. We show that there are metrological codes that cannot be written as a quantum error-correcting code with similar distance in which the Hamiltonian acts as a logical operator, potentially offering new schemes for constructing states that do not lose any sensitivity upon application of a noisy channel. We discuss applications of the trade-off relation to sensing using a quantum many-body probe subject to erasure or amplitude-damping noise.

metrology↗
DOE OSTI2025

Radsource Mr: Mixed Reality Planning Tool For Radioactive Recovery

The RadSource MR system leverages Meta Quest 3's advanced mixed reality capabilities to create a comprehensive spatial planning platform for end-of-life sealed radioactive source recovery operations. The application utilizes the Quest 3's high-resolution passthrough cameras and spatial mapping algorithms to generate accurate 3D environmental models. Core technical components include: (1) Real-time spatial measurement algorithms calculating distances, angles, slopes, and surface areas with sub-centimeter accuracy; (2) Virtual object placement system allowing users to position digital representations of recovery equipment (trailers, containment vessels, protective barriers) within the real environment; (3) Voice recording and annotation system for hands-free documentation in protective equipment; (4) 3D mesh capture and storage capabilities for post-operation analysis and regulatory documentation. (5) Procedure documentation is available for viewing in Mixed Reality, providing an innovative and convenient way to access the information during pre-visit and inspection activities. (6) Support for screen capture for the view for real world and virtual objects together to use it later for planning. The system integrates computer vision techniques for environmental understanding, spatial mathematics for precise measurements, and human-computer interaction principles optimized for hazardous environment operations. Data persistence allows teams to save and share planning sessions across multiple stakeholders while maintaining operational security requirements.

Khadka, Rajiv [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Id↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measuring H 0 using X-ray and SZ effect observations of dynamically relaxed galaxy clusters

ABSTRACT We use a sample of 14 massive, dynamically relaxed galaxy clusters to constrain the Hubble constant, H0, by combining X-ray and Sunyaev–Zel’dovich (SZ) effect signals measured with Chandra, Planck, and Bolocam. This is the first such analysis to marginalize over an empirical, data-driven prior on the overall accuracy of X-ray temperature measurements, while our restriction to the most relaxed, massive clusters also minimizes astrophysical systematics. For a cosmological-constant model with Ωm = 0.3 and ΩΛ = 0.7, we find $H_0 = 67.3^{+21.3}_{-13.3}\, \mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}\, \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$, limited by the temperature calibration uncertainty (compared to the statistically limited constraint of $H_0 = 72.3^{+7.6}_{-7.6}\, \mathrm{km}\, \mathrm{s}^{-1}\, \mathrm{Mpc}^{-1}$). The intrinsic scatter in the X-ray/SZ pressure ratio is found to be 13 ± 4 per cent (10 ± 3 per cent when two clusters with significant galactic dust emission are removed from the sample), consistent with being primarily due to triaxiality and projection. We discuss the prospects for reducing the dominant systematic limitation to this analysis, with improved X-ray calibration and/or precise measurements of the relativistic SZ effect providing a plausible route to per cent level constraints on H0.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

New bounds on heavy QCD axions from big bang nucleosynthesis

We study big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) constraints on heavy QCD axions. BBN offers a powerful probe of new physics that modifies the neutron-to-proton ratio during the process, thanks to the precisely measured primordial Helium-4 abundance. A heavy QCD axion provides an attractive target for this probe, because not only is it a well-motivated hypothetical particle by the strong 𝐶⁢𝑃 problem, but also it dominantly decays to hadrons if kinematically allowed. A range of its lifetime is thus excluded where the hadronic decays would significantly alter the neutron-to-proton ratio. We compute axion-induced modification of the neutron-to-proton ratio, and obtain robust upper bounds on the axion lifetimes, as low as 0.017 s for the axion mass higher than 300 MeV. Remarkably, this is stronger than projected future cosmic microwave background bounds via 𝑁 eff . Our bounds are largely insensitive to uncertainties in hadronic cross sections and the axion’s branching fractions into various hadrons, as well as to the precise value of the initial axion abundance. We also incorporate, for the first time, several key improvements, such as scattering processes by energetic 𝐾 𝐿 and secondary hadrons, that can also be important for studying general hadronic injections during BBN, not limited to those from axion decays.

Axions↗
DOE OSTI2025

Particle signal considerations for isotope ratio analysis with single particle multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Particle analysis has benefitted from the advent of single particle inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) due to its robustness, sensitivity, and high-throughput nature. Previous methods of spICP-MS have typically utilized quadrupole or time-of-flight mass analyzers and therefore employ electron multiplier-based detectors (such as secondary electron multipliers or microchannel plates). However, to obtain precise measurements on elemental or isotopic ratios within individual particles, multi-collector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS) can be used. Here, we investigate Ce isotope ratios, specifically 142 Ce/ 140 Ce, by spMC-ICP-MS using an all-Faraday cup collector array. Using 1 μm (diameter) cerium dioxide particles, integration times of the Faraday cup detectors were varied from 50–500 ms. The signal from the cerium isotopes in the particles was used to determine isotope ratios, which closely matched the expected natural isotopic abundances. Due to the signal decay response from the Faraday cups, the signal from particles lasts much longer than the expected 1–2 ms (up to 100 s of ms). To explore this effect on isotope ratio analysis, multiple ratio analysis methods were used to determine how to obtain optimal precision and accuracy. Relative differences were around 2% for methods that calculated isotope ratios from summing the total signal of an individual particle before calculating the ratio (rather than using every data point individually). It was found that summing all data points per particle, or integrating under the signal peak, yielded both accurate and precise isotope ratios within the particle population. Particles were also sampled off a solid substrate via microextraction, and isotope ratios were determined with relative differences of 0.13% to 9%. This demonstrates the ability to use spMC-ICP-MS to obtain isotope ratios on particles, with little to no relative difference in comparison to the expected ratio, even when operating Faraday detectors at fast 50 ms integration times.

Szakas, Sarah E. [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (O↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Sensitivity of Future Gamma-Ray Telescopes to Primordial Black Holes

The strongest existing constraints on primordial black holes with masses in the range of $m_{\rm BH} \sim 10^{15}-10^{17} \, {\rm g}$ have been derived from measurements of the local cosmic-ray electron-positron flux by Voyager 1, and MeV-scale gamma-ray observations of the Inner Galaxy by COMPTEL and INTEGRAL. In this paper, we evaluate the sensitivity of future MeV-scale gamma-ray telescopes such as e-ASTROGAM or AMEGO to Hawking radiation. We show that such an instrument would be able to provide the strongest constraints on black holes in the mass range of $m_{\rm BH} \sim (0.6-20) \times 10^{16} \, {\rm g}$, typically exceeding current constraints by approximately two orders of magnitude. In scenarios in which the observed 511 keV excess is the result of Hawking radiation, we find that e-ASTROGAM or AMEGO would not only be able to detect the Hawking radiation from the Inner Galaxy, but could precisely measure the abundance and mass distribution of the black holes responsible for this signal.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Strong-QCD Regime Measurement of the Proton’s Spin Structure

The theory of the strong force, Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) remains one of the most important ways to understand the fundamental properties of ordinary matter. However, at low momentum transfer Q 2 , in the regime where the strong force becomes extremely strong, our understanding of QCD for ordinary nucleons becomes hazy. Several cutting edge theories such as Chiral Perturbation Theory (χPT) and Lattice QCD have provided valuable predictions in this regime, but Lattice QCD has not yet extended predictions of many important quantities to this kinematic region, and Chiral Perturbation Theory has faced several important disagreements with experimental data for the neutron over the last several decades. It is therefore of extreme importance to have a benchmark of experimental data in the low energy regime for the proton’s behavior, as a test of leading theories for the behavior of QCD in this regime. The E08-027 (g2p) experiment ran at Jefferson Lab in 2012 with the goal of collecting this valuable data, and though I was still completing my undergraduate studies at the time, I became involved in the analysis in 2015 and built on the previous work to complete it and analyze the exciting results. This experiment achieved a high precision measurement of the spin structure functions g1 and g2 for the proton, quantities which describe the internal spin structure of the proton. These measurements were taken in the valuable low Q 2 region described above, and used to extract several moments of these spin structure functions which can be directly compared to the cutting-edge predictions of Chiral Perturbation Theory. Though the experiment’s timeline was such that I didn’t have a chance to work directly on the experimental setup, I had the opportunity to acquire hands-on experience working on a polarized target at UNH which is very similar to the crucial polarized target used in the g2p experiment. Full details of the g2p experiment and my experimental work at the University of New Hampshire are presented in this thesis, as well as a detailed description of the analysis process and the exciting benchmark results, which serve as a direct test of all current and future theories of QCD in the low-Q 2 regime.

Ruth, David↗
DOE OSTI2022

Improved measurement of the strong-phase difference $\delta _D^{K\pi }$ in quantum-correlated $D{\overline{D}}$ decays

The decay D → K - π + is studied in a sample of quantum-correlated D$\overline{D}$ pairs, based on a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb -1 collected at the ψ(3770) resonance by the BESIII experiment. The asymmetry between CP-odd and CP-even eigenstate decays into K - π + is determined to be A Kπ = 0.132 ± 0.011 ± 0.007, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. This measurement is an update of an earlier study exploiting additional tagging modes, including several decay modes involving a $K^{0}_{L}$ meson. The branching fractions of the $K^{0}_{L}$ modes are determined as input to the analysis in a manner that is independent of any strong phase uncertainty. Using the predominantly CP-even tag D → π + π - π 0 and the ensemble of CP-odd eigenstate tags, the observable $A^{πππ^0}_{Kπ}$ is measured to be 0.130 ± 0.012 ± 0.008. The two asymmetries are sensitive to $r^{Kπ}_{D}$ cos $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$ where $r^{Kπ}_{D}$ and $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$ are the ratio of amplitudes and phase difference, respectively, between the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed and Cabibbo-favoured decays. In addition, events containing D → K - π + tagged by D → $K^{0}_{S,L}$π + π - are studied in bins of phase space of the three-body decays. This analysis has sensitivity to both $r^{Kπ}_{D}$ cos $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$ and $r^{Kπ}_{D}$, sin $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$. A fit to A Kπ , $A^{πππ^0}_{Kπ}$ and the phase-space distribution of the D → $K^{0}_{S,L}$π + π - tags yields $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$ = ($187.6^{+8.9+5.4}_{-9.7-6.4}$)°, where external constraints are applied for $r^{Kπ}_{D}$ and other relevant parameters. This is the most precise measurement of $δ^{Kπ}_{D}$ in quantum-correlated D$\overline{D}$ decays.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

First astrometric constraints on parity-violation in the gravitational wave background

Astrometry, the precise measurement of stellar positions and velocities, offers a promising approach to probing the low-frequency stochastic gravitational wave background (SGWB). Notably, astrometric vector sky maps are sensitive to parity-violating SGWB signals, which cannot be distinguished using pulsar timing array observations in an isotropic SGWB. We present the first astrometric constraints on parity-violating SGWB using quasar catalogs from Gaia DR3 and VLBA data. By analyzing the EB correlation in the two-point correlation function of the proper motions of the quasars, we find 2σ constraints on the parity-violating SGWB amplitude h 70 2 Ω V = -0.020 ± 0.025 from Gaia DR3 and h 70 2 Ω V = -0.004 ± 0.010 from VLBA. These constraints are valid in the frequency range 4.2 × 10 -18 Hz < f < 1.1 × 10 -8 Hz. Although not currently a tight constraint on theoretical models, this first attempt lays the groundwork for future investigations using more precise astrometric data.

Gravitational waves in GR and beyond: theory↗
DOE OSTI2021

Deuterium scattering experiments in CTEQ global QCD analyses: a comparative investigation

Abstract Experimental measurements in deep-inelastic scattering and lepton-pair production on deuterium targets play an important role in the flavor separation of u and d (anti)quarks in global QCD analyses of the parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the nucleon. We investigate the impact of theoretical corrections accounting for the light-nuclear structure of the deuteron upon the fitted u , d -quark, gluon, and other PDFs in the CJ15 and CT18 families of next-to-leading order CTEQ global analyses. The investigation is done using the $$L_2$$ L 2 sensitivity statistical method, which provides a common metric to quantify the strength of experimental constraints on various PDFs and ratios of PDFs in the two distinct fitting frameworks. Using the $$L_2$$ L 2 sensitivity and other approaches, we examine the compatibility of deuteron data sets with other fitted experiments under varied implementations of the deuteron corrections. We find that freely-fitted deuteron corrections modify the PDF uncertainty at large momentum fractions and will be relevant for future PDFs affecting electroweak precision measurements.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

3D-printed micro ion trap technology for quantum information applications

Trapped-ion applications, such as in quantum information processing1, precision measurements, optical clocks and mass spectrometry, rely on specialized high-performance ion traps. The last three of these applications typically use traditional machining to customize macroscopic 3D Paul traps, whereas quantum information processing experiments usually rely on photolithographic techniques to miniaturize the traps and meet scalability requirements. Using photolithography, however, it is challenging to fabricate the complex 3D electrode structures required for optimal confinement. Here, in this work, we demonstrate a high-resolution 3D printing technology based on two-photon polymerization (2PP) that is capable of fabricating large arrays of high-performance miniaturized 3D traps. We show that 3D-printed ion traps combine the advantages, such as strong radial confinement, of traditionally machined 3D traps with on-chip miniaturization. We trap calcium ions in 3D-printed ion traps with radial trap frequencies ranging from 2 MHz to 24 MHz. The tight confinement eases ion cooling requirements and allows us to implement high-quality Rabi oscillations with Doppler cooling only. Also, we demonstrate a two-qubit gate with a Bell-state fidelity of 0.978 ± 0.012. With 3D printing technology, the design freedom is greatly expanded without sacrificing scalability and precision, so that ion trap geometries can be optimized for higher performance and better functionality.

quantum information↗
DOE OSTI2024

Aligned yet large dipoles: a SMEFT study

We study a non-universal flavor scenario at the level of the Standard Model Effective Field Theory, according to which the matrix of Wilson coefficients cuW of an up-type electroweak quark dipole operator is aligned with the up-type Yukawa coupling. Such an alignment usually follows from the assumption of Minimal Flavor Violation (MFV), away from which we step by allowing the entries of cuW to be sizable along the first quark generations. A particular example, which we refer to as “inverse hierarchy MFV”, features Wilson coefficients inversely proportional to quark masses, and arises from BSM models respecting MFV and containing heavy fields that replicate the mass hierarchy of SM quarks. We then analyze the phenomenology driven by cuW at colliders and at lower-energy flavor experiments. We show that precision measurements of the process pp → Wh → γγℓν at FCC-hh could set an upper bound on |cuW| ≲ O (10 -2 )(Λ/TeV) 2 , with Λ the cutoff of the effective field theory. This bound is an order of magnitude stronger than the existing LHC bounds. Moreover, we estimate that Wh → b$\overline{b}$ℓν at HL-LHC could also give competitive bounds. In the low-energy regime, we consider bounds arising from rare kaon decays, which turn out to be loose, |c$_{uW}^{11}$ | < O (1)(Λ/TeV) 2 . We finally demonstrate that our flavor and operator assumptions can be derived from a weakly-coupled UV model, which we choose to simultaneously illustrate the UV origin of inverse hierarchy MFV.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (Final Report)

The National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (User Resource) will provide isotopic analysis (primarily radiocarbon or 14C) by accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for NIH- funded researchers across the United States and will be the only User Resource of its type in the United States. The User Resource will provide measurement capability and expertise to a research community that requires highly sensitive, quantitative isotope analyses. Since commissioning a new accelerator mass spectrometer in June 2014, we have measured over 4000 samples a year for collaborators and service users. The User Resource will enable us to continue to meet these research needs, as well as provide for new users whose research programs would benefit from AMS as a measurement tool. The User Resource’s forte will be ultra-high sensitivity quantitation of radiocarbon and selected other radioisotopes for research studies where isotopes are required. Radioisotope labeling studies have been and will continue to be an important tool for addressing many complex biomedical science problems. AMS is a specialized and unique type of mass spectrometry that provides absolute quantitation of radiocarbon and other relevant radioisotopes with extreme sensitivity, having limits of detection in real samples on the order of a few attomol/mg of sample at measurement precisions of ~3%. It is the only instrumental method capable of quantifying radioisotope-labeled agents routinely in real-world samples with such precision and sensitivity. The sensitivity of AMS allows for the quantification of radiolabeled metabolites in extremely complex matrices of cells and organisms at very low concentrations and in small samples. AMS allows studies to be conducted without perturbing metabolism leading to more relevant quantification of metabolic rates and pathways. In addition, it enables quantification of pharmacokinetic and metabolic properties of toxicants at environmentally relevant concentrations in model systems as well as the ability to quantify pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans. Such quantitative assessments can 1) improve risk assessment for toxicants, 2) address safety and efficacy considerations for therapeutic entities, 3) deepen understanding of xenobiotic and intermediary metabolism, 4) help understand the interactions between critical molecular pathways, and 5) improve efforts to model and predict various metabolic and biological states. These capabilities have been applied in a number of areas including research in carcinogenesis, toxicology, nutrition, pharmacology/drug development and basic biological science. As a NIGMS National Resource the National User Resource for Biological Accelerator Mass Spectrometry will help NIH funded scientists achieve a deeper understanding of the etiology of human health concerns by (1) enabling the quantification of pharmacokinetics and other molecular endpoints directly in humans; (2) offering the ability to conduct quantitative studies using biologics such as proteins or lipids, and thereby reducing the amount of radioisotope usage in biomedical labs; and (3) enabling more relevant studies of metabolic pathways in health and disease through the use of much lower, more biologically-relevant, concentrations of metabolic substrates in cells and intact organisms. Such studies support NIGMS’s basic biomedical research areas that contribute to the understanding of fundamental cellular and physiological principles and enable research supported by the Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences (BBCB); Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (GMCDB); Pharmacology, Physiology, Biological Chemistry (PPBC) and Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity (TWD) Divisions. Over the next five years, our goals are to: 1. Improve the efficiency of operation for AMS measurements through installation of new interfaces to our AMS systems, technical modifications to improve gas accepting ion source efficiency and upgrading our data analysis software for improved ease of use and data reporting. 2. Increase the accessibility and visibility of ultra-sensitive 14C measurements for the biomedical research community by training of new investigators and expanding our national user base. 3. Provide high throughput, ultra-sensitive 14C analysis for the NIGMS and NIH user community.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measurements of the Hubble Constant with a Two-rung Distance Ladder: Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad

Abstract The three-rung distance ladder, which calibrates Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) through stellar distances linked to geometric measurements, provides the highest precision direct measurement of the Hubble constant. In light of the Hubble tension, it is important to test the individual components of the distance ladder. For this purpose, we report a measurement of the Hubble constant from 35 extragalactic Cepheid hosts measured by the SH0ES team, using their distances and redshifts at cz ≤ 3300 km s −1 , instead of any more distant SNe Ia, to measure the Hubble flow. The Cepheid distances are calibrated geometrically in the Milky Way, NGC 4258, and the Large Magellanic Cloud. Peculiar velocities are a significant source of systematic uncertainty at z ∼ 0.01, and we present a formalism for both mitigating and quantifying their effects, making use of external reconstructions of the density and velocity fields in the nearby universe. We identify a significant source of uncertainty originating from different assumptions about the selection criteria of this sample, whether distance or redshift limited, as it was assembled over three decades. Modeling these assumptions yields central values ranging from H 0 = 71.7 to 76.4 km s −1 Mpc −1 . Combining the four best-fitting selection models yields H 0 = 72.9 − 2.2 + 2.4 as a fiducial result, at 2.4 σ tension with Planck. While SNe Ia are essential for a precise measurement of H 0 , unknown systematics in these supernovae are unlikely to be the source of the Hubble tension.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗