Augmented Fluidity: Haptic vessels for online education of chemistry and fluid concepts in VR and augmented reality

为了增强教育虚拟实验室的真实感，本项目将研究和开发虚拟现实(VR)和增强现实(AR)中的教育虚拟实验室，通过软件控制的触觉血管来逼真地感知流体处理。在化学教学中，流体起着至关重要的作用，特别是在它们可以表示不同体积、呈现物理性质(例如粘度)和混合以产生组合反应的情况下。为了提供有关液体处理的教育)，大多数化学课程使用实验室练习，指导学生进行动手操作实验。拟议的容器系统将是3D打印的外壳，空间跟踪和内部机动，以提供容器(例如，烧杯)、圆筒、烧瓶和试管的外观和手感，这些容器包含VR和AR中的自由流动液体。增加流动性的容器将使远程教育的虚拟实验室成为可能。该项目将开发初步机制、软件框架和AR/VR教育实验室模拟，用于对家庭、课后和在线教育中增强流动性的潜力进行形成性评估。软件工具和舰船设计将是开源和分布式的。外部开发人员将能够根据他们的需求和工作场所创建他们自己的模拟、实验和流体容器设备。通过使用游戏引擎插件和3D可打印材料，该项目将提供给各级软件开发人员，包括6-12年级的学生、大学生和专业软件开发人员。项目研究将解决VR/AR系统的真实感、触觉、可用性和有效性问题。该项目将开发初步机制、软件框架和AR/VR教育实验室模拟，用于对家庭、课后和在线教育中增强流动性的潜力进行形成性评估。该系统的初步版本将通过焦点小组和其他定性方法进行测试。当初步开发和形成性测试完成后，该项目将进行包括实验设计在内的混合方法的总结性评估，该设计将通过治疗交互作用来考察能力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In order to enhance the realism of educational virtual laboratories, this project will research and develop educational virtual laboratories in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) through software-controlled haptic vessels for realistic perceptions of fluid handling. In chemistry education, fluids play a critical role, especially in where they can represent different volumes, render physical properties (e.g., viscosity), and mix to create combinatorial reactions. To provide education regarding the handling of fluids), most chemistry curricula use laboratory exercises which guide students through hands-on manipulation experiments. The proposed vessel systems will be 3D-printed enclosures that are spatially tracked and internally motorized to give the look and feel of vessels (e.g., beakers), cylinders, flasks, and test tubes, that contain free-moving fluids in VR and AR. Augmented fluidity vessels will enable experimentation possibilities in virtual laboratories for distance education. The project will develop preliminary mechanisms, software frameworks, and AR/VR educational laboratory simulations for formative evaluation of the potential of augmented fluidity in at-home, after-school, and online education. Software tools and vessel designs will be open sourced and distributed. Outside developers will be able to create their own simulations, experiments, and fluid vessel devices relevant to their needs and workplaces. Through the use of game engine plugins and 3D printable materials, the project will provide access to software developers at all levels, including Grade 6-12 students, university students, and professional software developers.Project research will address issues of realism, haptics, usability, and efficacy of the VR/AR system. The project will develop preliminary mechanisms, software frameworks, and AR/VR educational laboratory simulations for formative evaluation of the potential of augmented fluidity in at-home, after-school, and online education. The preliminary versions of the system will be tested through focus groups and other qualitative methods.When preliminary development and formative testing is complete, the project will conduct a summative assessment with mixed methodologies including an experimental design which will look at aptitude by treatment interactions.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.