SBIR Phase I: Computer Simulation of Science and Technical Laboratory Exercises for Physically-Disabled Students

这个小企业创新研究的第一阶段项目将在Words+， Inc.进行，重点是让身体上处于不利地位的学生进行物理科学的实验室实验。它的设计是为了测试开发基于第一性原理数学模型的实验室实验的高效计算机模拟的可行性，该模型可以由残疾学生在个人计算机上以绝对最小的电机输入运行。它结合了：(1)最先进的个人计算机技术；(2)现有的关于各种机械、化学、电、磁和光学过程的动态模拟的知识；(3) Words+, Inc.开发的现有技术，使严重残疾的人只需很少的动作就能操作复杂的计算机软件——只需眨眼。有能力亲身体验模拟实验的结果，并控制这些实验的设置和操作，将把实验室里身体残疾的人的观点从一个旁观者转变为一个积极的参与者。这种新的能力可以激励更多的残疾学生在科学或需要科学背景的职业中寻求职业，从而使那些大脑功能良好但身体无法从事更多体力劳动的人能够在努力实现自己的潜力。英国剑桥大学的著名理论天体物理学家斯蒂芬·霍金教授（Words+用户）就是一个为科学做出重大贡献的严重肢体残疾人士的典型例子。残疾人可以运行的软件也可以被健全的人运行，所以这个项目的成果有可能导致具有强大商业潜力的软件。这一努力的最终商业产品将是CD-ROM或其他类似的媒体，其中包含广泛的科学和技术学科的软件模拟，并通过大众市场渠道分发给世界各地的高中和大学学生。精确的第一性原理模拟目前在一些行业中使用。它在教育中的应用是不可避免的，而且在可预见的未来，随着推导数学模型的知识基础的改进和可负担的计算机资源的不断增加，可以预期它将不断发展

9561647 Woltosz This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project to be conducted at Words+, Inc. focuses on enabling physically-disadvantaged students to conduct laboratory experiments in the physical sciences. It is designed to test the feasibility of developing efficient computer simulations of laboratory experiments based on first principle mathematical models that can be run by disabled students on personal computers with an absolute minimum of motor input. It combines: (1) state-of-the-art personal computer technology; (2) existing knowledge about dynamic simulations of a variety of mechanical, chemical, electrical, magnetic, and optical processes; and (3) existing technologies developed by Words+, Inc., that enable persons with severe disabilities to operate sophisticated computer software with very little motion--as little as the blink of an eye. The ability to experience firsthand the results of simulated experiments and to control the setup and operation of those experiments will change the perspective of the physically-disabled person in the laboratory from that of a spectator to an active participant. This new capability can serve to motivate more disabled students to seek careers in the sciences or careers requiring scientific background, thus empowering those whose brains function well but whose bodies prevent them from working in more physical forms of employment in their efforts to realize their potential. The famous theoretical astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking of the University of Cambridge in England (a Words+ user) is a clear example of a severely physically-disabled person who is making major contributions to science. Software that can be run by the physically-disabled can also be run by the able-bodied, so the results of this project have the potential to lead to software with strong commercial potential. The final commercial products from this effort will be CD-ROM's or other similar media with softwape simulations covering a wide range of scienc e and technical disciplines and distributed through mass market channels to high school and university students around the world. Accurate, first principle simulation is currently used in some industries. Its use in education is both inevitable and can be expected to evolve continuously for the foreseeable future as the knowledge base on which mathematical models are derived improves and as affordable computer resources continue to increase