UVAs Virtual Lab Project

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UVAs Virtual Lab Project
John C. Bean Money Professor of Electrical and
Computer Engineering University of Virginia
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Challenges
The Heathkit Effect vs. Modern
Students Faculty EXPERIENCED technology as
teenagers (Heathkits, car repair).
Arrived at university KNOWING they wanted to be
scientists/engineers Tend to ASSUME students
have similarly clear goals HOWEVER many
modern students have not had hands-on
experiences Many (most?) are very uncertain
about technological careers General public is
increasing isolated from technology
(intimidated) Yet high school physics ?
qualitative understanding of most technology
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Proposed Solution
Give students public opportunities to explore
technology in virtual reality Thing you want
to describe is too big or too small? No
problem! Invisible or buried inside something
else? Use Superman X-ray Vision Want to
manipulate the object with your own
hands? Becoming possible to download virtual
objects to users PC UVAs Virtual Lab Uses
dynamic 3D visualizations Extensive range of
related subjects w/ simplified navigation Almost
no math or jargon ? accessible to young
students/general public
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Standard Interface
Related pages
Modes Intro / Step-by-Step / Fast-forward
Homepage / Site map
Icons to jump ahead / back
Scene by Scene Explanations
Navigation between scenes
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Work to Date
1) High School Science
Magnetic Induction Visible vs. Invisible
Electrostatic force Visible vs. Invisible
Simple electrical circuits water flow analogs
(battery gerbil-powered waterwheel)
Under Construction Speakers Microphones Transfo
rmers Metal Detectors Electric
Guitars CRTs DC AC Motors
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Work to Date
2) Basic Science and Technology
Virtual AFM / STM
Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope
Virtual MBE
How do semiconductors transistors work?
How is an integrated circuit made?
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Work to Date
3) Microelectronics
Undergrad Microelectronics Lab
Virtual tour of Micron Technologies IC Plant
Conventional Lithography
Projection Electron Lithography
EUV Lithography
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Enough! To appreciate 3-D virtual reality,
youve got to view it