VizWorld.com

Universities in Ohio have some new toys to play with thanks to the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAED) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).  Boise State University, Idaho State University, and the University of Idaho all got a “immersive virtual reality” system that consists of a high-end computer and a 3D TV. In addition, it comes with some interesting optical tracking systems for interaction.

“Advanced visualization allows researchers to interact with and appreciate data on a different level. If a picture is worth 1,000 words then a 3D model or simulation is worth immeasurably more, from molecular modeling of proteins in cancer studies to enhanced development and testing of renewable energy technologies,” said Boise State Vice President for Research Mark Rudin. “For students the experience will bring what they’re learning dynamically to life, helping them grasp the significance of technical subjects in a unique way.”

Boise State already had people on staff for training, so hopefully these will actually wind up in some real uses soon.

Update 3:43pm: Don’t know why I originally had Ohio in the topic. Fixed.

via Boise State Given 3D Visualization System by CAES and INL for Research and Education in a Stunning Virtual World.

Science 3d, education, university

A team from the University of Texas at San Antonio has won a $5 Million grant from the NSF, funded via the ARRA, to build the “Simulation, Visualization & Real-time Prediction (SiViRT) Center”.

“The SiViRT Center will offer a platform for engineering, science, statistics, biology and medicine experts from across the university and South Texas to conduct fundamental and collaborative research with real-world applications,” said Efstathios (Stathis) Michaelides, the grant’s principal investigator and professor and chair of the UTSA Department of Mechanical Engineering. “In addition, by offering lectures, scholarships and the opportunity to work on serious research projects, the SiViRT Center will attract students of all levels, from those attending high school on up to those pursuing their doctorate degrees.”

The center will be split into three teams, each led by an engineering faculty member.

Those teams include the imaging team led by Sos Agaian, Peter Flawn Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; the real-time prediction team, led by Yusheng Feng, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and the uncertainty quantification team, led by Harry Millwater, associate professor of mechanical engineering.

Not so sure how I feel about the ARRA funds being spent on “collaborative research”, but I always like seeing money spent on visualization research.

via UTSA wins $5 million for new Simulation, Visualization and Real-Time Prediction Center.

Science arra, nsf, research, university

Louisiana Tech University has just won a U.S. Air Force’s Office of Scientific Research grant for $2.85 Million, to be used to establish the Cyberspace Research Laboratory.

The Cyberspace Research Lab will support advanced research and development functions such as virtualization, visualization, high performance computing, wireless sensor networks and micro unmanned aerial vehicles. These facilities will allow researchers to configure different environments, simulate and test real-life events where security breaches may occur, and develop remedies against such security attacks.

Tapping into the new threat of cyber-terrorism:

“Tech has an important role to play in cyberspace R&D,” said Les Guice, vice president for research and development at Louisiana Tech. “As evidenced by recent attacks government computers, cyber threats are more and more prolific, demonstrating a critical need for further R&D. We intend to play a major role in addressing these needs.”

It’s a good win for Louisiana Tech, and combined with the existing high-speed LONI network it will be one of the top cyberspace research labs in the nation.

via Louisiana Tech to get $2.85 million cyber grant | shreveporttimes.com | The Times.

Science government, grant, louisiana, university

ELXSI, Louisiana Tech University, and Beyond Vision are collaborating on a new government project called the “Sensor System for Critical Infrastructure Defect Recognition, Visualization and Failure Prediction”.

The general area of Sensory System’s planned activity is to develop a novel deep-penetrating scanning system based on ultrawideband radar for inspecting buried infrastructure such as pipelines tunnels and culverts that can detect fractures quantify corrosion and determine the presence of voids in the surrounding soil to “see” beyond the structure to prevent accidents.

The project is being funded through a grant from the Technology Innovation Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology in the U.S. Department of Commerce.

via ELXS Notice Pursuant to the National Cooperative Research and Production Act of 1993–Sensory System for Critical Infrastructure Defect Recognition, Visualization and Failure Prediction.

Science beyond vision, elxsi, government, lousiana, university

Lukas Veverka and Petr Skala collaborated to create this 20sec spot for the Brno University of Technology.  It’s a short but beautiful piece, fun to look at.

Design by Timur Akhmetov, 3D animation: Vlada Rehak, Music: Martin Jedlicka

via Brno University of Technology Spot | Motionographer | Motion graphics, design, animation, filmmaking and visual effects.

Graphics commercial, university, vfx