EVL Director Discusses Advanced Techniques in CCT Distinguished Lecture
Sight is a person's primary sense, and one-third of a person's brainpower is spent processing visual images. Therefore, visualization is becoming a primary means for scientists and researchers to explore new territory and show new concepts to the general public.
Jason Leigh, director of the Electronic Visualization Laboratory at the University of Illinois – Chicago, discussed advanced visualization research and collaboration in a Distinguished Lecture Series for the CCT.
Leigh explained the guiding principle of his lab is that the best visualization advances occur by pairing researchers from science, art and industry, then seeing how computer science techniques apply to these areas.
“In order to do effective visualization, we need to work with people from other disciplines,†Leigh explained. Previously, visualization was studied mainly by computer scientists, but now is done in a collaborative effort with artists and others who can use visualization to process complex problems.
Leigh showed examples of the work his lab has done throughout the past 34 years. In the 1970s, the Electronic Visualization Laboratory created the computer graphics that were used in the first “Star Wars†films, an early visualization achievement.
The lab also created the first Cave Automatic Virtual Environment, or CAVE, in 1992. CAVE is a room-sized, immersive, virtual reality environment that has advanced scientific visualization. From CAVE came the creation of Geowall in 2000. Geowall was built using many of the principles that created CAVE, and is a low-cost, 3-D, stereoscopic display that is used primarily for geo-science research and education at more than 500 sites today.
The more recent version, Geowall-2, is a tiled array of liquid crystal display panels driven by a cluster of computers. GeoWall-2 is used to help the United State Geological Survey analyze 3-D data of high-resolution images from more than 122 U.S. cities to better plan for disasters.
Leigh discussed the lab's latest research endeavors, primarily related to the OptIPuter project. The OptIPuter, so named for its use of optical networking, combines computational resources over optical networks. The OptIPuter's central element is optical networking, not computers, and this new project creates "super networks." This format will enable greater research collaboration, as scientists who are generating terabytes and petabytes of data can interactively visualize, analyze and correlate their data from multiple storage sites connected to optical networks.
With the rise of high-speed, fiber optics networks, researchers are wondering how such networks can form the backplane of an advanced computer model, and also how an advanced computer system supported by networks could be used to solve problems in the sciences quickly and more effectively?
“Most old applications cannot access a new, high-speed network effectively, so we have to build new applications,†Leigh explained.
Leigh showed examples of how the OptiPuter is advancing visualization research. One method is LambdaRAM, a pool of clustered memory that provides access to large, remote data sets so scientists can collaborate on projects using ultra-high-resolution tiled screens to communicate and view multiple high-resolution images and data sets at one time.
He also showed images of a project with the Science Museum of Minnesota that uses a table-surface, digital map of Hawaii with moveable objects on the surface that researchers can use to simulate rainfall, lava flow or other naturally occurring elements. The table shows how such incidents would affect the land in that area.
The final project Leigh discussed is “Lifelike,†a collaboration between University of Illinois-Chicago and the University of Central Florida to create life-size Avatars of historical figures that can react to and interact with others. These realistic images could be a way of preserving historical events for future reference.
CCT in the News
EVL Director Discusses Advanced Visualization Techniques
5-25-2007/ HPC Wire
BATON ROUGE, La., May 25 -- Sight is a persons primary sense, and one-third of a persons brainpower is spent processing visual images. Therefore, visualization is becoming a primary means for scientists and researchers to explore new territory and show new concepts to the general public. http://www.hpcwire.com/hpc/1584013.html Pats on the Back • Recent graduate and CCT student Anuradha Vij was selected to attend the National Diversity Leadership Conference in Dallas to represent LSU and CCT. She had this to say about her experience: “I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Ed and CCT to make it possible for me to attend the National Diversity Leadership Conference held in Dallas, Texas. It was a great opportunity to meet some fine leaders such as Gen. Colin Powell (former U.S. Secretary of State), Carly Fiorina (Ex CEO, Hewllet-Packard) and Anna Cabral (U.S. Treasurer.) Their stories as to how they achieved success were very encouraging. I developed some leadership skills that I could apply to everyday life and at my workplace. One of the most basic lessons I learned attending the conference was the very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. A great leader's courage to fulfill his/her vision comes from passion, not position. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.â€
-- Anuradha Vij Lectures This Week: • The CCT Colloquium Series, held each Friday at 3 p.m. in Johnston 338, has concluded for the semester. The CCT Colloquium Series will return in the Fall with Shantenu Jha in charge of the speaker line-up. If you have a speaker wish list, please send it to Shantenu at sjha@cct.lsu.edu. • Michaela Lechner, a Ph.D. candidate at University of Innsbruck, will deliver a special guest lecture at CCT on Wednesday, May 30. Lechner will discuss “Simulating Proto-clusters of Galaxies with ASKALON on the Austrian Grid.†Her lecture is at 2 p.m. in Johnston 338. • CCT and the LSU Department of Computer Science will host three ITELS lectures in June. James Demmel, of the University of California at Berkeley, will discuss “The Future of High-Performance Linear Algebra†on Friday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m. in Coates Hall Room 152. • The second June ITELS lecture, which features Michael Lesk of Rutgers University, will take place on Tuesday, June 5, at 3 p.m. in Coates Hall Room 145. Lesk will discuss “Scientific Data Libraries: Changing Research.†• A third ITELS lecture featuring Moshe Y. Vardi of Rice University will take place on Monday, June 11, at 3 p.m. in the Howe Russell Geoscience Complex, Room 130E. Vardi will discuss “And Logic Begat Computer Science: When Giants Roamed the Earth.†Please Note: • The deadline for compliance with the LSU Visual Identity Program is June 30. More than a year ago, the University introduced a new and comprehensive visual identity system to present a consistent and unified brand image. With this deadline approaching, all parts of campus are reminded to order news business system items (envelopes, letterhead, business cards, etc.) and to recycle any old materials after June 30. All promotional and printed items for CCT must have the correct logo from this point forward. Graphic Services will be checking items for compliance and will not print items containing logos that do not comply with the policy. Also, since Graphic Services is busy printing revised materials for many sections of campus, if you will need any items printed in the coming month, it is best to send your request in early. More information about the University's policy and downloadable versions of the LSU logo are available at www.lsu.edu/pa. If you have any questions or wish to receive a copy of the LSU/CCT logo, please contact CCT Manager of Public Relations Kristen Sunde at 225-578-3469 or ksunde@cct.lsu.edu. • A Post-Katrina forum, "Gulf States Alliance: Network Science and Recovery," will take place at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 19-21, 2007. This forum is sponsored by the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Programs in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Forum registration is free and includes forum-sponsored meals, and breaks. Space is limited so participants are strongly urged to pre-register in order for forum planners to know in advance how many will be in attendance. The deadline for pre-registration is July 25, 2007. For more information and to register, please visit: http://forum2007.laepscor.org. • CCT graduate students require annual reviews by their supervisors. Faculty and staff who employ graduate students received the evaluation form via e-mail last week. Please fill it out and return it to CCT Human Resources Coordinator Laurie Rea by Thursday, May 31. Contact Laurie if you have further questions or need more information. • If you have any news for the CCT Weekly, please e-mail PR Manager Kristen Sunde directly at ksunde@cct.lsu.edu. Upcoming Grant Deadlines: NSF International Research and Education in Engineering (IREE) NSF IREE May 29 2007 5:00 pm At Most $ 20,000.00 available http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07032/nsf07032.jsp Board of Regents Links with Industry, Research Centers, and National Labs BoR LINKS May 31 2007 10:00 am At Most $ 6,000.00 available http://www.laregents.org/www2/index.htm
5-25-2007/ HPC Wire
BATON ROUGE, La., May 25 -- Sight is a persons primary sense, and one-third of a persons brainpower is spent processing visual images. Therefore, visualization is becoming a primary means for scientists and researchers to explore new territory and show new concepts to the general public. http://www.hpcwire.com/hpc/1584013.html Pats on the Back • Recent graduate and CCT student Anuradha Vij was selected to attend the National Diversity Leadership Conference in Dallas to represent LSU and CCT. She had this to say about her experience: “I wanted to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Ed and CCT to make it possible for me to attend the National Diversity Leadership Conference held in Dallas, Texas. It was a great opportunity to meet some fine leaders such as Gen. Colin Powell (former U.S. Secretary of State), Carly Fiorina (Ex CEO, Hewllet-Packard) and Anna Cabral (U.S. Treasurer.) Their stories as to how they achieved success were very encouraging. I developed some leadership skills that I could apply to everyday life and at my workplace. One of the most basic lessons I learned attending the conference was the very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. A great leader's courage to fulfill his/her vision comes from passion, not position. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.â€
-- Anuradha Vij Lectures This Week: • The CCT Colloquium Series, held each Friday at 3 p.m. in Johnston 338, has concluded for the semester. The CCT Colloquium Series will return in the Fall with Shantenu Jha in charge of the speaker line-up. If you have a speaker wish list, please send it to Shantenu at sjha@cct.lsu.edu. • Michaela Lechner, a Ph.D. candidate at University of Innsbruck, will deliver a special guest lecture at CCT on Wednesday, May 30. Lechner will discuss “Simulating Proto-clusters of Galaxies with ASKALON on the Austrian Grid.†Her lecture is at 2 p.m. in Johnston 338. • CCT and the LSU Department of Computer Science will host three ITELS lectures in June. James Demmel, of the University of California at Berkeley, will discuss “The Future of High-Performance Linear Algebra†on Friday, June 1, at 1:30 p.m. in Coates Hall Room 152. • The second June ITELS lecture, which features Michael Lesk of Rutgers University, will take place on Tuesday, June 5, at 3 p.m. in Coates Hall Room 145. Lesk will discuss “Scientific Data Libraries: Changing Research.†• A third ITELS lecture featuring Moshe Y. Vardi of Rice University will take place on Monday, June 11, at 3 p.m. in the Howe Russell Geoscience Complex, Room 130E. Vardi will discuss “And Logic Begat Computer Science: When Giants Roamed the Earth.†Please Note: • The deadline for compliance with the LSU Visual Identity Program is June 30. More than a year ago, the University introduced a new and comprehensive visual identity system to present a consistent and unified brand image. With this deadline approaching, all parts of campus are reminded to order news business system items (envelopes, letterhead, business cards, etc.) and to recycle any old materials after June 30. All promotional and printed items for CCT must have the correct logo from this point forward. Graphic Services will be checking items for compliance and will not print items containing logos that do not comply with the policy. Also, since Graphic Services is busy printing revised materials for many sections of campus, if you will need any items printed in the coming month, it is best to send your request in early. More information about the University's policy and downloadable versions of the LSU logo are available at www.lsu.edu/pa. If you have any questions or wish to receive a copy of the LSU/CCT logo, please contact CCT Manager of Public Relations Kristen Sunde at 225-578-3469 or ksunde@cct.lsu.edu. • A Post-Katrina forum, "Gulf States Alliance: Network Science and Recovery," will take place at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 19-21, 2007. This forum is sponsored by the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Programs in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Forum registration is free and includes forum-sponsored meals, and breaks. Space is limited so participants are strongly urged to pre-register in order for forum planners to know in advance how many will be in attendance. The deadline for pre-registration is July 25, 2007. For more information and to register, please visit: http://forum2007.laepscor.org. • CCT graduate students require annual reviews by their supervisors. Faculty and staff who employ graduate students received the evaluation form via e-mail last week. Please fill it out and return it to CCT Human Resources Coordinator Laurie Rea by Thursday, May 31. Contact Laurie if you have further questions or need more information. • If you have any news for the CCT Weekly, please e-mail PR Manager Kristen Sunde directly at ksunde@cct.lsu.edu. Upcoming Grant Deadlines: NSF International Research and Education in Engineering (IREE) NSF IREE May 29 2007 5:00 pm At Most $ 20,000.00 available http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07032/nsf07032.jsp Board of Regents Links with Industry, Research Centers, and National Labs BoR LINKS May 31 2007 10:00 am At Most $ 6,000.00 available http://www.laregents.org/www2/index.htm
Publish Date:
05-29-2007
