CAES LAB

Immersive analytics aims to use interaction techniques and display systems to support analytical reasoning and decision making. One of the key components of immersive analytics is finding insights from data using visualization, display, and interaction techniques. The application of immersive analytics can be across several fields, such as biology, engineering, physics, automobile, chemistry, security, health informatics, and nuclear.

A digital twin is a digital virtual replication of a process, product, or service. It allows the pairing of a virtual and physical world for the analysis of data and monitoring systems. It supports preventing the downtime of a system, exploring new opportunities, and planning for the future by using digital simulations. Digital twin is being used across different sectors, for instance, manufacturing, automotive, and industry. We are using digital twin technology to support real-time monitoring and simulation of the diverse experimental conditions in a nuclear reactor.

With the advancement of technology, researchers and scientists are exploring tools and techniques to remotely connect, conduct research, share datasets, and hold meetings. Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) can be a powerful and exciting medium to immerse the user in a simulated environment to reach a common goal. This project aims to use VR environments to support remote collaboration across geographically distributed users using diverse display devices (2D or 3D). Each participant can use voice, 2D, or an immersive 3D environment to connect, view, and share information to achieve common goals.

Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) can be used to simulate realistic scenarios in the virtual world, enabling users to train skills and learn the outcomes of their actions in the simulated environment. The virtual environment provides unlimited opportunities to prepare for workforce development. It supports delivering truly immersive virtual training experiences without the risk or the cost of taking them to a dangerous site or environment. We have developed VR/AR training project involving VR Building information modeling (BIM), radiation environment, future office spaces, and workforce development.

Graph/Node visualization can be used to represent structural information as a diagram of an abstract graph and networks. It can be used to draw a graph network to get insights about complex connected data. A graph can be decomposed into a tree structure, which includes nodes and edges to describes the relationship between the node and edge. One of the projects that we are working on involves using graph/node visualization that incorporates machine learning malware detection and supports the analysis via interactive and immersive visualization.

WebXR is an API that enables developers to build Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) 3D applications on a web-based platform. WebXR applications are cross-platform and accessible to users with low entry barriers. The WebXR API provides interfaces that let users interact directly with immersive devices, such as head-mounted displays, mobile devices, and desktops. WebXR applications allow users to access and interact with 3D contents on a web browser without installing applications through the app store. We are utilizing the WebXR capability to provide cross-platform immersive experiences to support visualization.

Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) is a remote sensing method that uses light to determine variable distances by targeting an object. It is used to make 3D representation of the scanned areas due to differences in light return time after strinking the target object.

Simulation and modeling is a process that is used to create and analyze a digital prototype of a physical model, which helps an individual to predict the performance and output in the real world. We are using VR and AR for simulation and modeling. One of the projects that we are using VR/AR for simulation and modeling is the Disaster Response Complex in collaboration with Idaho State University. We simulate emergency and disaster scenarios in the virtual environment and train the first responders across several scenarios and conditions. This project will help the first responders to be prepared for the real-world.