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）的教育虚拟实验室，通过软件控制的触觉容器来实现对流体处理的逼真感知。在化学教育中，流体扮演着至关重要的角色，特别是在它们可以代表不同的体积，呈现物理性质（例如粘度）以及混合产生组合反应的地方。为了提供有关处理流体的教育，大多数化学课程使用实验室练习，引导学生通过动手操作实验。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），圆柱体，烧瓶和试管的外观和感觉，其中包含VR和AR中的自由移动流体。增强流动性容器将使虚拟实验室中的实验成为可能，用于远程教育。该项目将开发初步机制、软件框架和AR/VR教育实验室模拟，以形成性评估在家、课后和在线教育中增强流动性的潜力。软件工具和船舶设计将开源并分发。外部开发人员将能够根据他们的需求和工作场所创建自己的模拟、实验和流体容器设备。通过使用游戏引擎插件和3D打印材料，该项目将为各个层次的软件开发人员提供访问，包括6-12年级的学生、大学生和专业软件开发人员。项目研究将解决现实主义、触觉、可用性和VR/AR系统的功效等问题。该项目将开发初步机制、软件框架和AR/VR教育实验室模拟，以形成性评估在家、课后和在线教育中增强流动性的潜力。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，该项目将使用混合方法进行总结性评估，包括通过治疗相互作用来观察能力的实验设计。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.