Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design

Pnina Ari-Gur; Igor Lapsker; Tyler William Bayne; Eric Allen Pietrowicz; Peter Thannhauser; Spencer Hoin; Hermanu Joko Nugroho

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design

Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, Spencer Hoin, Hermanu Joko Nugroho

Published in International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 11, Issue 1)

Received: 6 January 2022 Accepted: 15 February 2022 Published: 25 February 2022

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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.

Published in	International Journal of Materials Science and Applications (Volume 11, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
Page(s)	37-41
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Simulation, Training, Computer Game, Virtual Reality

References

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APA Style

Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, et al. (2022). Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 11(1), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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ACS Style

Pnina Ari-Gur; Igor Lapsker; Tyler William Bayne; Eric Allen Pietrowicz; Peter Thannhauser, et al. Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2022, 11(1), 37-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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AMA Style

Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, et al. Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2022;11(1):37-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16,
  author = {Pnina Ari-Gur and Igor Lapsker and Tyler William Bayne and Eric Allen Pietrowicz and Peter Thannhauser and Spencer Hoin and Hermanu Joko Nugroho},
  title = {Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design},
  journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {37-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  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.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design
AU  - Pnina Ari-Gur
AU  - Igor Lapsker
AU  - Tyler William Bayne
AU  - Eric Allen Pietrowicz
AU  - Peter Thannhauser
AU  - Spencer Hoin
AU  - Hermanu Joko Nugroho
Y1  - 2022/02/25
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
T2  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
SP  - 37
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2643
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
AB  - 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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Pnina Ari-Gur

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA
Igor Lapsker

Sciences Department, Holon Institute of Technology, Holon, Israel
Tyler William Bayne

Electrical & Computer Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA
Eric Allen Pietrowicz

Electrical & Computer Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA
Peter Thannhauser

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA
Spencer Hoin

Engineering Graphics & Design Tech., Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA
Hermanu Joko Nugroho

Business Information Systems, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, USA

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, et al. (2022). Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. International Journal of Materials Science and Applications, 11(1), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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ACS Style

Pnina Ari-Gur; Igor Lapsker; Tyler William Bayne; Eric Allen Pietrowicz; Peter Thannhauser, et al. Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. Int. J. Mater. Sci. Appl. 2022, 11(1), 37-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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AMA Style

Pnina Ari-Gur, Igor Lapsker, Tyler William Bayne, Eric Allen Pietrowicz, Peter Thannhauser, et al. Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design. Int J Mater Sci Appl. 2022;11(1):37-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16

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@article{10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16,
  author = {Pnina Ari-Gur and Igor Lapsker and Tyler William Bayne and Eric Allen Pietrowicz and Peter Thannhauser and Spencer Hoin and Hermanu Joko Nugroho},
  title = {Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design},
  journal = {International Journal of Materials Science and Applications},
  volume = {11},
  number = {1},
  pages = {37-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijmsa.20221101.16},
  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.},
 year = {2022}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Interactive Virtual Scanning Electron Microscope Inspired by 3D Game-Design
AU  - Pnina Ari-Gur
AU  - Igor Lapsker
AU  - Tyler William Bayne
AU  - Eric Allen Pietrowicz
AU  - Peter Thannhauser
AU  - Spencer Hoin
AU  - Hermanu Joko Nugroho
Y1  - 2022/02/25
PY  - 2022
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
T2  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JF  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
JO  - International Journal of Materials Science and Applications
SP  - 37
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2327-2643
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijmsa.20221101.16
AB  - 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.
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
ER  -

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