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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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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

Medicine Delivery Device with Integrated Sterilization and Detection

Sterile delivery devices can be created by integrating a medicine delivery instrument with surfaces that are coated with germicidal and anti-fouling material. This requires that a large-surface-area template be developed within a constrained volume to ensure good contact between the delivered medicine and the germicidal material. Both of these can be integrated using JPL-developed silicon nanotip or cryo-etch black silicon technologies with atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating of specific germicidal layers. The application of semiconductor processing techniques and technologies to the problems of fluid manipulation and delivery has enabled the integration of chemical, electrical, and mechanical manipulation of samples all within a single microfluidic device. This approach has been successfully applied at JPL to the automated processing, detection, and analysis of minute quantities (parts per trillion level) of biomaterials to develop instruments for in situ exploration or extraterrestrial bodies. The same nanofabrication techniques that are used to produce a microfluidics device are also capable of synthesizing extremely high-surface-area templates in precise locations, and coating those surfaces with conformal films to manipulate their surface properties. This methodology has been successfully applied at JPL to produce patterned and coated silicon nanotips (also known as black silicon) to manipulate the hydrophilicity of surfaces to direct the spreading of fluids in microdevices. JPL's ALD technique is an ideal method to produce the highly conformal coatings required for this type of application. Certain materials, such as TiO2, have germicidal and anti-fouling properties when they are illuminated with UV light. The proposed delivery device contacts medicine with this high-surface-area black silicon surface coated with a thin-film germicidal deposited conformally with ALD. The coating can also be illuminated with ultraviolet light for the purpose of sterilization or identification of the medicine itself. This constrained volume that is located immediately prior to delivery into a patient, ensures that the medicine delivery device is inherently sterile. An additional benefit to integrating a high-surface-area template within the fluid channel of a medicine delivery device is that one can envision a number of different functional coatings that could facilitate the capture and analysis of either microbial contaminants or the medicine itself. For example, one could attach antibodies or some other binding agent with a specific affinity to the silicon nanotip template. Once a target molecule or microbe is bound to the high-surface- area template, one could use an optical analytical technique such as fluorescence or adsorption to determine the identity and potentially the concentration of the species of interest. By illuminating the bound species from the back, it may also be possible to probe only the molecules with an evanescent wave, making detection of the species from the front side of the device much simpler.

Shearn, Michael J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Sterile-Neutrino-Based Muon Neutrino Disappearance Using the MicroBooNe Deep Learning Analysis

We describe a search for νµ disappearance using the MicroBooNE Deep Learning analysis 1µ1p selection. Presently, the unexplained MiniBooNE and LSND anomalies could be explained by a sterile neutrino impacting neutrino oscillations. Our analysis searches for the allowed parameter space that could describe such a sterile neutrino. We determine the allowed and excluded region of a 3+1 sterile-based muon neutrino disappearance model in MicroBooNE at 90% confidence. Our allowed region includes both the null model, and current global best fit model. Context for the underlying Deep Learning analysis is provided and several validation studies surrounding both the disappearance search, and originating 1µ1p selection are performed to strengthen confidence in the result. In addition, a next-generation deep learning tool for cosmic-ray-muon event discrimination is proposed and evaluated, demonstrating a removal of 70% of the remaining event background when added to current methods, under the cut criteria used.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Search for Sterile-Neutrino-Based Muon Neutrino Disappearance Using the MicroBooNe Deep Learning Analysis

We describe a search for νµ disappearance using the MicroBooNE Deep Learning analysis 1µ1p selection. Presently, the unexplained MiniBooNE and LSND anomalies could be explained by a sterile neutrino impacting neutrino oscillations. Our analysis searches for the allowed parameter space that could describe such a sterile neutrino. We determine the allowed and excluded region of a 3+1 sterile-based muon neutrino disappearance model in MicroBooNE at 90% confidence. Our allowed region includes both the null model, and current global best fit model. Context for the underlying Deep Learning analysis is provided and several validation studies surrounding both the disappearance search, and originating 1µ1p selection are performed to strengthen confidence in the result. In addition, a next-generation deep learning tool for cosmic-ray-muon event discrimination is proposed and evaluated, demonstrating a removal of 70% of the remaining event background when added to current methods, under the cut criteria used.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

NOvA's Current and Future Sterile Neutrino Searches

The NOvA experiment's most recent search for eV-scale sterile neutrinos under a 3+1 model simultaneously analyses muon neutrino and neutral current datasets from the NuMI beam at its Near ($\sim$\qty1{km} baseline) and Far (\qty{810}{km} baseline) detectors to look for oscillations consistent with a sterile neutrino. The analysis is systematically limited in the region of parameter space where $Δm^2_{41} \gtrsim 1~\mathrm{eV}^2$. This region of parameter space is preferred by sterile neutrino interpretations of current experimental anomalies and so improving sensitivity here is high-priority. These proceedings present our current search strategy, and discusses future plans to include data from a second beamline, the Booster Neutrino Beam, to improve our sensitivity in systematics-dominated regions of parameter space.

Lister, Adam [Wisconsin U., Madison; Virginia Tech↗
DOE OSTI2026

First Sterile Neutrino Search at NOvA Experiment Using both Neutrino and Anti-Neutrino Data

Neutrinos are among the most abundant fundamental particles in the universe, and yet they are so elusive that they pass through almost everything without leaving a trace. For decades, researchers have measured neutrino oscillations in great detail, refining our understanding of the theories. Yet, once again, neutrino shows their incredibly surprising nature through some recent experimental results, suggesting that our current understanding might be incomplete. Several experiments have observed an unexpected difference in the observed neutrino behaviour from what the Standard Model predicts, showing an excess in some cases (e.g. LSND, MiniBooNE) and a deficit of neutrino events in others (e.g. SAGE, GALLEX). These anomalies challenge our conventional theories of standard three neutrino flavors and phenomenologically motivate the sterile neutrino hypothesis, which does not interact through the usual weak force. While some results appear consistent with this idea, others have found no supporting evidence (e.g. MicroBooNE), leaving the question unanswered. NOvA is one such long-baseline neutrino experiment with its Near Detector (ND) at Fermilab and a Far Detector (FD) at 810 km in Minnesota. It uses the NuMI beam as its primary source of neutrinos for oscillation studies. Its two-detector setup, extended baseline, and ability to conduct combined $\nu$-$\bar\nu$ analyses position it to explore these phenomena in new ways. We use the joint $\nu_{\mu}$ and neutral current (NC) disappearance channels to probe active-sterile mixing in the 3+1 model. This analysis utilizes a data sample of 27$\times$10$^{20}$ protons on target (POT) in neutrino mode and 12.5$\times$10$^{20}$ protons on target (POT) in antineutrino mode. We found no evidence of sterile neutrino at 90$\%$ C.L. We present the limits in $\sin^{2}\theta_{24}$ vs $\Delta m^{2}_{41}$, $\sin^{2}\theta_{34}$ vs $\Delta m^{2}_{41}$, and $\sin^{2}2\theta_{\mu\tau}$ vs $\Delta m^{2}_{41}$ parameter spaces. The limits provided by this analysis are world leading in most of the parameter spaces.

Chaudhary, Shivam [Indian Inst. of Info. Tech. Guw↗
DOE OSTI2026

NOvA Dual-Baseline Search for Active-to-Sterile Neutrino Oscillations using Neutrino- and Antineutrino-Enriched Samples

We report a search for neutrino oscillations to sterile neutrinos in the NOvA detectors under a model with three active and one sterile neutrinos. This search simultaneously fits data in the two NOvA detectors and is the first from NOvA to use both neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beams, with exposures of $26.61\times10^{20}$ and $12.50\times10^{20}$ protons on target, respectively. There is no evidence for sterile neutrinos in the data and we are able to exclude regions of parameter space that were allowed by previous experiments, including most of the allowed region reported by IceCube.

Abubakar, S. [Erciyes U.]↗
DOE OSTI2024

Broad sterile neutrinos & the reactor/gallium tension

Significant evidence exists for the apparent disappearance of electron-type neutrinos in radioactive source experiments. Yet, interpreted within the standard ‘3+1 sterile neutrino scenario’, precision short-baseline measurements of electron antineutrinos from nuclear reactors strongly disagree with these results. Recently, it has been demonstrated that allowing for a finite wavepacket size for the reactor neutrinos can ameliorate such a tension, however the smallness of the required wavepackets is a subject of intense debate. In this work, we demonstrate that a ‘broad’ sterile neutrino may relax this tension in much the same way. Such a phenomenological possibility can arise in plausible hidden sector scenarios, such as a clockwork-style sector, for which we provide a concrete microscopic model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neutrinoless double beta decay rates in the presence of light sterile neutrinos

We investigate neutrinoless double-beta decay (0νββ) in minimal extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics where gauge-singlet right-handed neutrinos give rise to Dirac and Majorana neutrino mass terms. We argue that the standard treatment of these scenarios, based on mass-dependent nuclear matrix elements, is missing important contributions to the 0νββ amplitude. First, new effects arise from the exchange of neutrinos with very small (ultrasoft) momenta, for which we compute the associated nuclear matrix elements for the decays of 76 Ge and 136 Xe. These contributions can dominate the 0νββ rate in cases with light sterile neutrinos. The ultrasoft terms are also relevant in the more standard scenario of just three light Majorana neutrinos where they lead to a 10% reduction of the total 0νββ amplitude. Secondly, we highlight the importance of short-range terms associated with medium-heavy sterile neutrinos and provide explicit formulae that can be used in phenomenological analyses. As examples we discuss impact of these new effects in several explicit scenarios, including a realistic 3 + 2 model with two right-handed gauge-singlet neutrinos.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Toward a Robust Confirmation or Refutation of the Sterile-Neutrino Explanation of Short-Baseline Anomalies

The sterile neutrino interpretation of the LSND and MiniBooNE neutrino anomalies is currently being tested at three liquid argon detectors: MicroBooNE, SBND, and ICARUS. It has been argued that a degeneracy between 𝜈 𝜇 → 𝜈 𝑒 and 𝜈 𝑒 → 𝜈 𝑒 oscillations significantly degrades their sensitivity to sterile neutrinos. Through an independent study, we show two methods to eliminate this concern. First, we resolve this degeneracy by including external constraints on 𝜈𝑒 disappearance from the PROSPECT reactor experiment. Second, by properly analyzing the full three-dimensional parameter space, we demonstrate that the stronger-than-sensitivity exclusion from MicroBooNE alone already covers the entire 2⁢𝜎 preferred regions of MiniBooNE at the level of 2−3⁢𝜎. We show that upcoming searches at SBND and ICARUS can improve on this beyond the 4⁢𝜎 level, thereby providing a rigorous test of short-baseline anomalies.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Axionlike particles and sterile neutrinos solve the 𝐵 → 𝐾⁢$𝜈⁢\bar{𝜈}$ and 𝐵 → 𝜋⁢𝐾 puzzles

The recent measurement of the branching ratio of 𝐵 + → 𝐾 + +inv (where “inv” denotes invisible states) by the Belle II Collaboration is enhanced relative to the standard model expectation by 2.7⁢𝜎. An older puzzle persists in measurements of the branching ratios and 𝐶⁢𝑃 asymmetries of 𝐵 → 𝜋⁢𝐾 decays. We address these two anomalies in flavor-changing neutral current 𝐵 decays, with a short-lived axionlike particle (ALP) with mass close to that of the 𝜋 0 . In the model with the minimum number of new couplings, the ALP has couplings to the photon, top quark and a heavy sterile neutrino. The ALP contributes to the 𝐵 → 𝜋 0 ⁢𝐾 decays by mixing with the 𝜋 0 . It contributes to 𝐵 + → 𝐾 + + inv by its off-shell coupling to sterile neutrino pairs. The model can explain the excess in the total rate, but not the observed distribution of signal events. We make predictions for all 𝐵 → 𝐾 (*) + inv modes and for the rare kaon decays, 𝐾 + → 𝜋 + + inv and 𝐾 𝐿 → 𝜋 0 + inv. We find an appreciable contribution to the magnetic moment of the muon, and negligible contributions to the magnetic moment of the electron and 𝑏 → 𝑠⁢𝑒 + ⁢𝑒 − .

axion-like particles↗
DOE OSTI2024

Search for an eV-Scale Sterile Neutrino Using Improved High-Energy νμ Event Reconstruction in IceCube

This Letter presents the result of a 3+1 sterile neutrino search using 10.7 yr of IceCube data. We analyze atmospheric muon neutrinos that traverse the Earth with energies ranging from 0.5 to 100 TeV, incorporating significant improvements in modeling neutrino flux and detector response compared to earlier studies. Notably, for the first time, we categorize data into starting and throughgoing events, distinguishing neutrino interactions with vertices inside or outside the instrumented volume, to improve energy resolution. The best-fit point for a 3+1 model is found to be at sin^{2}(2θ_{24})=0.16 and Δm_{41}^{2}=3.5 eV^{2}, which agrees with previous iterations of this Letter. The result is consistent with the null hypothesis of no sterile neutrinos with a p value of 3.1%.

Neutrino detection↗
NASA NTRS1965

Spacecraft Sterilization Technology

Upon the recommendation of the scientific community, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has established as a major goal the search for extraterrestrial life. So that the data obtained in this search will not be compromised, NASA has embarked on a program designed to prevent external contamination of the planets. This National Conference on Spacecraft Sterilization Technology was convened to bring together for exchange of knowledge those scientists, engineers, and administrators who play a role in spacecraft sterilization technology. Recognizing the rapid accumulation of knowledge in this area of scientific endeavor, it was deemed essential to broadcast this information as rapidly as possible, to establish a firm base upon which newer techniques could be built, and to provide a forum in which differences could be aired and guidelines revised or established.

contamination↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multifunctional Surface Treatment for Self-Sterilization and CO2 Sequestration for Sustainable Space Exploration

A long-term human space presence is dependent on maintaining a safe living environment. Disinfecting surfaces is essential to protecting astronauts from potential pathogens, as well as structural components of the habitat from damaging biofilms. Developing a surface coating that utilizes readily available light has the potential to provide sterilization with additional functionality. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a commonly used photocatalyst owing to its efficiency, economic feasibility, and safety to humans. TiO2 photocatalyst modified with other metals such as copper or iron could allow for self-sterilization, photocatalytic memory, and photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to fuels on Mars. Sustainable design of the photocatalyst should account for the resources available, specifically within the Martian and Lunar regolith. This project reviews the current technologies to design a TiO2 photocatalyst which can be incorporated into a space habitat’s inner lining.

Human Space Exploration↗
NASA NTRS2024

Lessons Learned in Designing A Proposed Ultraviolet Sterilization System for Space

This paper presents a number of lessons learned while designing a proposed sterilization system for Mars Sample Return. This sterilization system is needed to inactivate any potentially hazardous Mars material on the exterior surface of the vessel containing sealed sample tubes filled with Mars rock cores, regolith and atmosphere. These returned samples would provide information on the geologic history of Mars, the evolution of its climate and the potential for ancient life. Mars Sample Return is categorized at Planetary Protection Category V Restricted Earth Return, so it is required to protect the Earth–Moon system from the biological impact of returning samples from Mars to Earth. This article reviews lessons learned in the development of a particular engineering implementation to support the protection of the Earth–Moon biosphere: the use of in situ ultraviolet LED illumination. The details of the biological efficacy of this approach or the policy-related impacts are outside of the scope of this manuscript. The lessons learned presented here include establishing design requirements for the system, the selection of a light source, optical design options, contamination control and approaches to thermal and power management.

Planetary Protection↗