Scalar and right-handed current searches using trapped atoms

Neutral atom traps coupled to a radioactive ion beam facility can be used to provide an ideal source of $\beta$ decaying atoms: the atoms are cold, compact, and the daughter particles escape the source with negligible distortions to their momenta. By measuring the $\beta-\nu$ correlation parameter in the $0^+\rightarrow0^+$ decay of $^{\mathrm{38m}}$K, the TRINAT collaboration has improved the limits on possible scalar currents (Gorelov, \emph{et al.}, Phys.\ Rev.\ Letts.\ {\bf 94} (2005) 142501). We have recently demonstrated the ability to highly polarize laser-cooled atoms and to search for right-handed currents by measuring the neutrino asymmetry parameter in the $I^\pi=\frac{3}{2}^+$ decay of $^{\mathrm{37}}$K (Melconian \emph{et al.}, Phys.\ Lett.\ B {\bf 649} (2007) 370). A summary of these experiments and the planned improvements will be presented.