|
December 2007
Neutrino Detection Project Receives $45.6 Million
It has all the trappings of a sci-fi thriller. A far-out concept beyond that of even the most advanced creative intellectual minds. Yet, it is real and it is coming here. And, it may well unlock the secret to the creation of the universe.
The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded $45.6 million to the University of Minnesota to build an international physics laboratory close to the Ash River, southeast of International Falls. This is an important first step in an estimated $250 million project to study neutrinos. Neutrinos are subatomic particles that will allow scientists to study how the universe was formed and how it may continue to develop in the future.
Marvin Marshak, University of Minnesota physics professor and lead faculty member, considers this a great day, but is not surprised. "Projects like this require many steps, and the finalization of this cooperative agreement is one of those steps. There are many steps to go, but this is a significant move forward."
Neutrinos are considered the ghosts of the universe because they have little or no measurable mass and no electrical charge. Neutrinos tend not to interact with other matter. They are considered to be "dark matter". Physicists estimate that about 80 to 90 percent of the mass in the universe is dark matter, which cannot be seen. Researchers hope that if the mass of neutrinos can be determined, it will answer many questions about the make up of the universe.
The laboratory, called the NuMI Off-Axis Electron Neutrino Appearance (NOvA) Detector Facility at Ash River Site, will be built on a 90-acre site about one mile south of Voyageurs National Park. An international group of scientists, known as the NOvA collaborative will operate the facility.
The planned neutrino detector at the Ash River site is estimated to be 15 million tons and 220 feet long, 52 feet wide and 52 feet high. The detector consists of enormous blocks of PVC filled with mineral oil. Each block weighs 127 tons before being filled with mineral oil and will take a crew of 20 three weeks to assemble each block.
It will take 3.2 million gallons of mineral oil - approximately 530 tanker trucks - just to fill the scintillator. Delivery of the modules will require another 400 trucks.
Construction is slated to begin in the spring of 2008. Job creation estimates are between 30 and 50 jobs at the project's peak construction phase. Completion of the facility for the detector is expected to be finished in 2010, while completion of the detector's assembly is expected by 2013. During that phase of the project, about 28 full-time jobs are expected to be created in the area. The University of Minnesota will work with close to 200 scientists and engineers from 33 institutions in seven countries in this effort.
"Anytime a project of this magnitude gets the go ahead, the region can benefit greatly. The project will attract experts from around the world and give much positive exposure to Northern Minnesota" stated Paul Nevanen, Director of the Koochiching Economic Development Authority in International Falls. "The scientific details may be complicated, but our focus is simple - support the efforts of the cooperative and communities and move the project forward".
|
