Faculty Research Interests
Nicoletta Adamo-Villani
Professor Adamo-Villani's research interest spans two closely related areas: 3D Animation for (a) Educational Technology, and (b) Human Computer Communication (HCC). She is currently focusing on the application of 3D Character Animation to teaching communicative gestures, i.e., American Sign Language (ASL), and fine manipulative skills. In addition, she is investing her research effort in the development of new character modeling/animation methods and interfaces for the advancement of Human-Computer Communication. She is also interested in the application of 3D Animation to scientific visualization.
Dr. Laura Arns, Ph.D.
Professor Arns' research interests are in the areas of applied virtual environments, human factors in virtual reality, and virtual reality usability. Current research projects include: the use of portable, inexpensive VR technology for teaching and understanding convection flow in the Earth's mantle; and AGJuggler, a toolkit for shared virtual environments via the Access Grid.
Dr. Bedrich Benes, Ph.D.
Professor Benes' current interests include procedural modeling, artificial life, and real-time rendering
Dr. Gary R. Bertoline, Ph.D.
Dr. Bertoline's research interests are in applying computer graphics, immersive interactive environments, and virtual reality to visualize, interact, and analyze engineering and scientific data and information. Advances in computing platforms and instrumentation techniques have resulted in an exponential growth of data. Efficient interpretation of this data is fast emerging as a key-challenge in science, engineering, and business. The human-computer interface has emerged as a major information bottleneck: computer speeds increase, but human comprehension does not. Novel techniques must therefore be developed to effectively utilize the information capacity available to human comprehension. In the real-world, humans have the natural ability to perceive several things effectively through a combination of multiple sensory modes (such as visual, haptic, spatial, aural, verbal, aroma, ect.). Humans have an innate capability to seamlessly communicate, perceive, and interact (called multimodal interaction) with others and the environment using these models. Large scale immersive visualization systems provide good visual perception. Going beyond the human visual systems, haptic interaction add another dimension to the human experience when dealing with complex problems abd research output. Haptic devises are used to physically interact witht he date through force feedback mechanisTo provide natural and intuitive interface to the researcher, in addition to haptics ( for force feedback), other sensory modes such as 3-dimensional (3D) 6 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) input trackers ( for spatial tracking of hand and head position and orientation), glaves (for fingers gesture recognition), voice recognition (for speech input), synthesized speech/sound output (for acoustic feedback), can be interfaced with visualization displays. Several input and output modalities combined effectively with the visualization facilities will help researchers to interact- easily, naturally, and effectively- with their complex data sets and perceive new ideas that are not possible with these tools. The goal is to integrate these technologies in to a perceptually coherent strategy to bring new insight for research and learning. The integration of this technology with our understanding of human cognition is the framework we call perceptualization to stress that the integrated whole is bigger that the sum of individual parts. Much of his work is being done through Purdue's Envision Center for Data Perceptualization research and development lab which is used for perceptualization research and the appication of this technolgy to science, engineering, and business. These same techniques and technologies can be applied to data visualization through the use of computer graphics and 3D display devices. Data or information visualization is the conversion of large data sets of non-physical information into a visual through the use of computer graphics. Data visualization can increase the comprehension of huge amounts of data and allows for the perception of emergent properties that were not anticipated. Another area of interest is in the Visualization of e-Manufacturing Environments and Product Lifecycle Managment (PLM), the PLM Center of Excellence at Purdue University is an interdisciplanary center comprised of applied research laboraties, classroom faciilites, e-business systems, and technical infrastructure needed to support research-based learning, simulation, abd education using digital enterprise technology. A core focus is to develop e-business solutions for the manufacturing industry using emerging technologies that enable global e-manufacturing Product Lifecycle Managment (PLM).
Patrick E. Connolly
Professor Connolly's current interests include solid modeling applications, visualization techniques, learning styles, and distance learning.
Clark A. Cory
Professor Cory's research interests include 3D modeling in construction, digital lighting and rendering, raster graphics, and animation. He is also involved with research of metal processes and procedures in construction as well as e-commerce development for construction companies such as Construction Venture Group of Tennessee and Panel Masters in Indiana.
Michael G. Gabel
Professor Gabel's current interests are directed toward solid modeling and how these models support the design-thru-manufacturing cycle.
Ronald J. Glotzbach
Professor Glotzbach's research interests include leading-edge technologies that expand the boundaries of dynamic and interactive content delivered and collaborated on via the graphical communication tool that is the web. Related interests include web-enabling software, dynamic content delivery methods, programming graphics, and integration of varying media into highly technological solutions.
- Research topics include:
- Database design, theory, and application for use with dynamic content development and deployment
- Automation of processes and tasks via the Web
- Graphics applications in E-Commerce and E-Business
- Dynamic content deployment to mobile devices
Kellen R. Maicher
Professor Maicher's research interests include educational multimedia development and usability/ performance testing of applied computer graphics applications including websites, GUI's, and computer graphics authoring applications.
Dr. James L. Mohler, Ph. D.
Professor Mohler’s research interests focus on three areas: (a) spatial ability, (b) web development, and (c) educational technology.
Carlos R. Morales
Professor Morales' research interests include integration of digital video, animation and interactive technology for visual training solutions. Carlos holds a BA in Telecommunications and Film Studies from Purdue University, and an MS Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction also from Purdue.
James E. O'Neal
Professor O'Neal's current interests are in Vector Graphics, and Sports Animation Graphics.
William A. Ross
Professor Ross' research interests include development of applied computer graphics tools for education, training, communication and testing purposes.
Dr. Mary A. Sadowski, Ph.D.
Dr. Sadowski's research interests include enhancing visualization skills and creative thinking. Her specialty is Computer and Technical Graphics and she has taught a variety of courses including CAD, Web Design, Animation, and Creative Thinking. Her research interests include enhancing visualization skills and creative thinking. She has published over 30 papers, presented over 45 technical papers, 12 workshops, and 4 textbooks.