Astronomers Create First Realistic Virtual Universe

Credit: Dr Debora Sijacki, Cambridge University Tracking 13 billion years of cosmic evolution, astronomers have created the first realistic virtual simulation of the Universe. A newly-developed computer simulation has created the first realistic version of the Universe, enabling researchers to understand how galaxies, black holes and other cosmic phenomena developed from shortly after the Big Bang to the present day. The simulation, known as Illustris, follows the complex development of both normal and dark matter over 13 billion years, matching many of the features observed in the real Universe for the first time. Developed by an international team of researchers, Illustris tracks the development of the Universe from 12 million years after the Big Bang up to the present, and identified more than 41,000 galaxies in a cube of simulated space 350 million light years on each side. The results are reported in the May 8th issue of the journal Nature.  Over the past two decades, researchers have been attempting to build accurate computer simulations of the development of the Universe, using computer programs which are capable of encapsulating all the relevant laws of physics governing the formation of galaxies. Previous attempts to simulate the universe were hampered by lack of computing power and the complexities of the...

Read More........→May 28, 2014

Virtual keyboard and gesture control system on brink of development

. A virtual keyboard was recently developed by researchers at Mälardalen University (MDH) in Sweden. The concept uses existing head mounted displays, such as Google Glass, and a pair of wrist or hand-worn sensors that support gesture control as well as sensing the keyboard input. The research project started in 2005 with a focus on robotic vision and developers are now confident that, with extra funding, they could have a product in a year. Lars Asplund, Professor Emeritus in Robotics at MDH, said: “Keyboards today look almost the same as, and work in almost the same way, as 19th century typewriters. Our virtual keyboard makes a completely new form of interaction possible and offers positions which may, for instance, decrease the risk of repetitive strain injury.” Asplund’s research team moot a number of possible business and individual applications for the solution including use in small spaces and for journalists conducting interviews. The solution could also make its way into wider virtual reality applications, in either entertainment or research and development, as well as providing field workers with a system to type notes while working out of the office. The team is now calling for more funding. “The project has great potential and can be completed in a year, but we need another SEK 10-15 million (approximately €1.1-1.7...

Read More........→May 23, 2014

AV Tech opens up a world of museums in Romania

A museum in Romania is utilising 3D projection, 3D screens and a host of touchscreens to allow visitors to explore exhibitions and displays from numerous museums around the world. The Digital Museum was designed by architect Claudiu Ionsecu to deliver a great number of presentations within a very small space. It is situated near the Mures Floodplain Natural Park in Pecica, Romania. Forty-five inch touchscreens and passive 3D technologies are packed into the 125m² space. Content ranges from exhibits from museums around the world down to information on the local area. The museum also encourages visitors to explore the local area virtually using exercise bikes coupled with digital displays or physically using one of 60 mountain bikes. Ionescu said: “Inspired by Constantin Brancusi’s ‘miracle’ sculpture, the building rises naturally from the ground through golden spirals (the fibonacci spirals) and crystallizes in a shape that, just like its muse, tries to set itself free from ‘the past burdens’, striving to rise high. Its shape offers the visitor a feeling of aspiration, an aspiration not only of the building, but of life itself.” Source: InAVat...

Read More........→December 30, 2013

NASA-Funded Scientists Detect Water on Moon's Surface that Hints at Water Below

Chandrayaan-1 Moon mission description NASA-funded lunar research has yielded evidence of water locked in mineral grains on the surface of the  moon from an unknown source deep beneath the surface. Using data from NASA's Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) instrument aboard the Indian Space Research Organization's Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, scientists remotely detected magmatic water, or water that originates from deep within the moon's interior, on the surface of the moon. The findings, published Aug. 25 in Nature Geoscience, represent the first detection of this form of water from lunar orbit. Earlier studies had shown the existence of magmatic water in lunar samples returned during the Apollo program. M3 imaged the lunar impact crater Bullialdus, which lies near the lunar equator. Scientists were interested in studying this area because they could better quantify the amount of water inside the rocks due to the crater's location and the type of rocks it held. The central peak of the crater is made up of a type of rock that forms deep within the lunar crust and mantle when magma is trapped underground. "This rock, which normally resides deep beneath the surface, was excavated from the lunar depths by the impact that formed Bullialdus crater," said Rachel Klima, a planetary geologist at the Johns Hopkins University NASA patch...

Read More........→October 16, 2013

Docomo turns surfaces interactive with smart glasses

Docomo showed off a Google Glass rival that transforms any surface into a touchscreen at Japan's Ceatec show last week. The company demonstrated a number of applications including manipulation of virtual content on any surface using the 'intelligent-glasses' and a ring sensor. Ceatec ran from October 1 to 5, 2013 at the Makuhari Messe convention center outside Tokyo. Other uses on show included facial recognition capabilities, which pulled up relevant profile information on the person being viewed and character recognition enabling instant language translation. Technology news site Slashgear reported on the technology showcased at  the mobile industry trade show, posting the video featured above. The concept builds on existing Docomo developments. At last year’s Ceatec show Docomo demonstrated. glasses that enabled hands-free video calling. Source: InAVat...

Read More........→October 13, 2013