Immersive Visualization Environment Research Articles

Integration of Scientific Visualization With Physical and Digital Modeling for Improved Child Restraint System Safety

Computational modeling continues to play an increasingly significant role in the design of more effective vehicle crash safety systems. Researchers now frequently exercise models formulated with sophisticated computer analyses to supplement empirically generated results and conduct extensive what-if exploratory studies for information formerly available solely from costly and time-consuming physical testing. Our research team is developing a modeling and analysis capability that features a scientific visualization toolkit called NYSCEDII CRS visualization module (NCVM). NCVM post-processes conventional crash simulation imagery, enabling modelers to visualize aspects of both the digital model and the sled-test simulation in an immersive visual environment. This paper describes NCVM’s design and development in detail and illustrates its application to a series of sled tests conducted with a recent-production child restraint system and dummy occupant.

On the way to building an integrated computational environment for the study of developmental patterns and genetic diseases

Genetic diseases and developmental patterns should be studied on several levels: from macroscale (organs and tissues) to nanoscale (cells, genes, proteins). Due to the overwhelming complexity of the life science data, it is common that disparate data pieces are meticulously stored but never fully analyzed or correlated. We have begun to develop a novel methodology based on virtual reality techniques for the study of these phenomena. Our key approach to knowledge integration is a top-down mapping of data onto visual contexts. For each organism that we want to study, a structural model is created and used as a visual "wireframe" onto which other data types are superimposed in a top-down assembly. Data analysis tools, visual controls, and queries are enabled so that users can interactively explore data. Our visualization technology gives users an opportunity to map disparate data onto a common model, and search visually for hitherto unknown patterns and correlations contained within the data. It is our goal to eventually transform genomics research from measuring various data pieces analytically into a fully interactive exploration of combined data in a 4D immersive visual environment that best matches a researcher's intuition.

The development and evaluation of a virtual radiotherapy treatment machine using an immersive visualisation environment

Due to the lengthy learning process associated with complicated clinical techniques, undergraduate radiotherapy students can struggle to access sufficient time or patients to gain the level of expertise they require. By developing a hybrid virtual environment with real controls, it was hoped that group learning of these techniques could take place away from the clinical departments. This paper presents initial evaluation of the use of a three-dimensional immersive visualisation environment (IVE) to simulate a working radiotherapy treatment machine. A virtual patient complete with a range of different treatment sites was used to enhance learning and teaching of beam alignment in 3D. Pre- and post-questionnaires were used to evaluate the perceptions of 42-year 1 pre-registration students with regards to the learning that had taken place. 93% of students perceived an improvement in their understanding and confidence in their technical skills as a result of using the IVE. The mean overall improvement was 21.2% ( p < 0.00001), and this was positively correlated to perceived realism of the application. The application was reported to be both realistic and enjoyable. Feedback suggested it has a role to play in development of technical skills and also pre-clinical induction. More work with the application is ongoing to clarify that role and the potential benefits of this technology.

Immersive visualization environments for practical skills training in radiotherapy

Immersive visualization environments for practical skills training in radiotherapy

Quadric Transfer for Immersive Curved Screen Displays

Abstract Curved screens are increasingly being used for high‐resolution immersive visualization environments. We describe a new technique to display seamless images using overlapping projectors on curved quadric surfaces such as spherical or cylindrical shape. We exploit a quadric image transfer function and show how it can be used to achieve sub‐pixel registration while interactively displaying two or three‐dimensional datasets for a head‐tracked user. Current techniques for automatically registered seamless displays have focused mainly on planar displays. On the other hand, techniques for curved screens currently involve cumbersome manual alignment to make the installation conform to the intended design. We show a seamless real‐time display system and discuss our methods for smooth intensity blending and efficient rendering. Categories and Subject Descriptors (according to ACM CCS): I.3.7 [Computer Graphics]: Three‐Dimensional Graphics and Realism‐ Virtual reality

Planning, implementation and optimization of future space missions using an immersive visualization environment (IVE) machine

Beginning in 1995, a team of 3-D engineering visualization experts assembled at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company and began to develop innovative virtual prototyping simulation tools for performing ground processing and real-time visualization of design and planning of aerospace missions. At the University of Colorado, a team of 3-D visualization experts also began developing the science of 3-D visualization and immersive visualization at the newly founded British Petroleum (BP) Center for visualization, which began operations in October, 2001. BP acquired ARCO in the year 2000 and awarded the 3-D flexible IVE developed by ARCO (beginning in 1990) to the University of Colorado, CU, the winner in a competition among 6 Universities. CU then hired Dr. G. Dorn, the leader of the ARCO team as Center Director, and the other experts to apply 3-D immersive visualization to aerospace and to other University Research fields, while continuing research on surface interpretation of seismic data and 3-D volumes. This paper recounts further progress and outlines plans in Aerospace applications at Lockheed Martin and CU.

The quest for petascale computing

Although the challenges to achieving petascale computing within the next decade are daunting, several software and hardware technologies are emerging that could help us reach this goal. The authors review these technologies and consider new algorithms capable of exploiting a petascale computer's architecture. One petaflop per second is a rate of computation corresponding to 10/sup 15/ floating-point operations per second. To be of use in scientific computing, a computer capable of this prodigious speed needs a main memory of tens or hundreds of terabytes and enormous amounts of mass storage. Sophisticated compilers and high memory and I/O bandwidth are also essential to exploit the architecture efficiently. To mask the hardware and software complexities from the scientific end user, it would be advantageous to access and use a petascale computer through an advanced problem-solving environment. Immersive visualization environments could play an important role in analyzing and navigating the output from petascale computations. Thus, petascale computing is capable of driving the next decade of research in high-performance computing and communications and will require advances across all aspects of it.

ARCO and immersive environments, Part 2: Oil industry experience with immersive environments

The first part of this paper (TLE, May 2000) reviewed the development of visualization technology at ARCO over the last 11 years. We started with desktop displays using perspective and lighting; then stereo and head-tracking were added to increase functionality and realism. Development of large spatially immersive environments started in 1996, and our first CAVE-like system was installed in 1997. Subsequent software research and development have focused on developing immersive drilling planning, volume-rendering, and attribute interpretation capabilities. ARCO's hardware R&D has focused on developing an environment which includes the best aspects of CAVE-like immersive systems and semi-immersive theater systems (e.g., visionariums) in a single display device. This culminated in ARCO's rapidly reconfigurable Immersive Visualization Environment in 1999.