Document Type
Article
Version
postprint
DOI
10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
Publication Date
2-25-2022
Abstract
The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has evolved to become an indispensable tool for research and education in engineering, physics, nanotechnology, geosciences, materials science, biological sciences and other fields. However, training on a physical SEM is costly, time consuming, and often unavailable in economically disadvantaged areas. Advances in computer technology have made interactive three-dimensional (3D) virtual laboratory an effective tool for training in medicine and many engineering and technology fields. In the current work, in order to provide cost-effective hands-on training, a virtual 3D SEM was developed using the game development engine Unity 3D. It contains realistic 3D models of the physical components, created using 3ds Max®, a software for 3D modeling and rendering. The components are manipulated with scripts programmed using C# and JavaScript and then paired with the corresponding model. Users may view and operate the virtual instrument, save images for further analysis, and write a report. The developed virtual SEM was tested on diverse groups of users at multiple institutions, each divided to treatment and control groups. Feedback from these tests was collected and used for improvements in the overall quality of the simulated experience. In addition, users reported the experience of training on the virtual SEM as enjoyable.
WMU ScholarWorks Citation
Ari-Gur, Pnina; Lapsker, Igor; Bayne, Tyler; Pietrowicz, Eric Allen; Thannhauser, Peter; Hoin, Spencer; and Nugroho, Hermanu Joko, "Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design" (2022). Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications. 3.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/mae_pubs/3
Published Citation
Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, Spencer Hoin, Hermanu Joko Nugroho. Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications. Vol. 11, No. 1, 2022, pp. 37-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
Comments
The authors' publications in SciencePG are distributed under Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The license was developed to facilitate open access, namely, free immediate access to and unrestricted reuse of original works of all types.