Enhancement of Materials Laboratory with Atomic Force Microscope With Virtual 3-D Capibility

工程系有一个现代化的本科材料实验室，配备了图像分析系统。 该系统已用于提高学生观察和分析微观结构的能力。 然而，它一直局限于传统的光学显微镜和视频监视器上的二维（2-D）视图。 该项目旨在通过购买原子力显微镜（AFM）和虚拟I.O VGA眼镜来消除这一限制。 原子力显微镜允许学生看到分子排列水平的观点。 然而，这些视图仍然作为三维（3-D）视图的2-D视图呈现在VGA监视器上。 虚拟I.O VGA眼镜纠正了这一缺陷。 通过使用专用软件，从原子力显微镜的正常静态视图变成一个虚拟的三维视图。 因此，指导者的虚拟图像能够走到正在观看的对象上并指出重要的细节。 学生们戴上虚拟I.O VGA眼镜，就可以在研究对象的虚拟3D视图中漫游。 另一个目标是提高学生理解3-D可视化，特别是3-D对象旋转的能力。 前测试和后测试评估是否增加了理解。 *

The Department of Engineering has a modern undergraduate materials laboratory equipped with an image analysis system. This system has been used to improve the capability of students to view and analyze microscopic structure. However, it has been limited to traditional optical microscopes and two-dimensional (2-D) views on video monitors. This project seeks to remove this limitation through the acquisition of an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) and Virtual i.O VGA glasses. The AFM allows students to see views on the molecular arrangement level. However, these views are still presented on a VGA monitor as a 2-D view of a three-dimensional (3-D) view. The Virtual i.O VGA glasses correct this deficiency. Through the use of special software, the normal static view from the AFM is turned into a virtual 3-D view. Thus, the virtual image of the instructor is able to walk onto the object being viewed and point out the significant details. Students, wearing the Virtual i.O VGA glasses, are able to roam about the virtual 3-D view of the object being studied. Another objective is to improve the ability of students to understand 3-D visualizations and particularly 3-D object rotation. Pre- and post-tests evaluate whether increased understanding has taken place. *