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BY ROB EARNSHAW
Times Correspondent | Friday, March 21, 2008 | (No comments posted.)
Whether you're an admirer of fluid dynamics, models of molecules, or the old-fashioned video game Pong, Valparaiso University's Scientific Visualization Laboratory has it all for you -- in 3-D.
A simple campus visit and a pair of polarized lenses (provided) is all that's needed to witness the type of cutting-edge research being done by VU's civil engineering department.
"We want to let the community know what we're doing," said Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Kenneth Leitch. "This is a special treat."
The Scientific Visualization Laboratory holds open houses once a month for the general public who'd like to see the three-dimensional electromagnetic fields, explore bigger-than-life anatomy models, CAD models and topographic maps. If you happen to be a resident of Valparaiso and wonder if you'll need flood insurance -- this is the place to visit.
Civil engineering students can demonstrate rainfall data via the 3-D model and pinpoint which parts of the city will flood.
"It's a useful tool for hydrology -- to see where it's going to flood," Leitch said. "That's why portions of Valpo get flood insurance."
The "Visbox," as it's called, also has applications in chemistry, nursing and electronics. Students like senior John Watson have dedicated a lot of research into Visbox projects that the public can experience.
"What I've done here is very cool, it's cutting edge," Watson said. "It's expanding knowledge."
Watson, who plans to attend graduate school at Notre Dame and then pursue a career in environmental engineering, said when people step into the Visbox, they'll experience applications they think they can touch or feel. One of the topography models features a mountain.
"You'll feel like you're walking off the ledge," Watson said.
Some students have even hooked up a Nintendo Wii game to the Visbox.
Although the various sports games they played weren't coming in at you in 3-D, the characters were life-size. Visitors will, however, be able to experience 3-D Pong and the more modern CAVE Quake.
"This technology is making its way into the gaming world," Leitch said. "It's the next big thing."
That's exciting news to 12-year-old Stephen Jeffirs and his 10-year-old brother Nick. The siblings made the trip from Crown Point to see the kind of properties not available on a normal computer.
"They like this sort of thing," said the boys' father, Kent Jeffirs.
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"Virtual Reality Open Houses," presented by Valparaiso University's Scientific Visualization Laboratory.
When: March 27 and April 24. Tours begin at 6, 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Gellerson Center, 1900 Chapel Drive
Cost: Free
FYI: Groups should make advance arrangements by calling (219) 464-5085. Groups of six or more should make advance arrangements by calling at least two days prior to an open house. Organized groups such as class field trips, church youth groups and scouting troops are welcome to schedule an individual tour of the Scientific Visualization Laboratory.
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