2009 ASEE Conference Presentation

1. 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Development of a Nanoscale Virtual Environment Haptic Interface for Teaching Nanotechnology to Individuals who are Visually Impaired Dianne Pawluk1, Curtis Taylor2, Marcia Hoffman1 and Maria McClintock1 1Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University 2Dept.of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida VCU With support from the National Science Foundation

2. 2 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition 2 Outline of Presentation What is haptics? Motivation for using haptics to teach nanotechnology Background Learning Modules Preliminary Results Future Plans

4. rely on 2-D diagrams or display

5. poor engagement of students

6. difficult to conceptualize

7. more difficult for visually impairedmaterial structure atomic structure New methods needed to increase engagement and perception molecular machine 3

8. 4 What is haptics? 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition The combination of: Perception of forces and position Sense of touch 4

9. 5 Why Nanotechnology, Why Haptics? 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Governments, educators and researchers Future demand for employees Diversity educate, attract Students who are blind or visually impaired No one can see what goes on at the nanoscale Pictures are not very intuitive in describing forces inclusiveness, opportunity Sighted students Considerable portion haptic learners engaged, interest The first atomic force microscope 5

11. include individuals who are blind or visually impaired, sonification6

13. surgery, flying aircraft, etc.

14. tele-nanomanipulation

16. easily replicated in a classroom

17. allows for interactive, multi-sensory exploration of nanoscale concepts for sighted and visually impairedNovint Falcon (< $200) 7

18. 8 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition What are the big ideas in nanotechnology? 1. Size and Scale 2. Dominant Forces 3. Structure of matter 4. Instrumentation 5. Nanomachines 6. Nanoscale Fabrication Science Engineering 8

19. 9 Module 1: Size and Scale 2009 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Understanding of size continuum helps understand matter and materials Idea: controllably “zoom in” on objects that are familiar Implementation represent objects at different scales by gray-scale images intensity = height graphics triangular tesselation in openGL Haptics F = kvirtual* dpenetration 9

22. adhesion forces (electrostatic, capillary, etc.)force 10

23. Preliminary ResultsFor Teaching Nanoscale Science and Engineering Touching Atoms Interactive Nanofabrication Understanding Atomic Potentials Falcon Force-Feedback Controller

25. Developed learning modules to teach concepts of

26. size and scale

27. dominant forces

28. Demonstrated to prototype to elementary school, undergraduate and graduate students

29. extremely positive reaction

30. Will validate using:

31. cognitive measures

32. affective measures

33. compare to: vision alone and traditional methods 12