Marshall engineering professors use new 3-D technology

The Power Wall: a 10x17ft 3-D projection screen four times more powerful than an HD TV.

   It may come as a surprise, but this technology can be found in Marshall University's Engineering building. Professors of engineering are using the power wall along with the organic motion stage markerless motion capture system to develop technology that will allow people to create and manipulate avatars without the use of markers on their body.

   An avatar is an image created to represent a person that can be used on the Internet on websites like Second Life or computer games like "The Sims", where people sign on and use their avatars to interact with one another or create virtual worlds.

   Markers are small camera lights often used in the creation of computer-animated films. Actors wear them on their bodies and faces and as they act the markers recognize how the actors are moving. The information gathered from the markers is used to create animated characters. Movies such as "The Lord of the Rings" and "Avatar" were developed using this technology.

   "14 cameras, with red lights, capture the image of the person moving in a stage with highly-reflective white material," said Dr. Anthony Szwilski, professor of environmental engineering and science. "With the captured image we can study the movement/gait of the person."

   The captured image is then turned in to an avatar that the user can control by simply walking around the organic motion stage.

   At this point there is no way to control an avatar except through a mouse or keyboard, but the power wall may change that.

   "The ultimate goal," said Dr. Jack Smith, professor of engineering and computer science, "is to be able to manipulate an avatar with your hands."

   Another benefit of the technology is that doctors can run a patient's CT scan through the program and view the inside of a body in 3-D. Because the screen is so powerful, they are able to spot disease or growths inside the body that are not identifiable with hospital equipment.

   "No one else in the state has this," Dr. Anthony Szwilski said.

   The combination of a powerful HD screen and 3-D capabilities make the power wall an important step in both computer and medical science. Giving doctors access to this technology could change the way patients are treated and even save lives.

    The power wall will be on full display this April during Cyberinfrastructure Day, a conference hosted by Marshall that will showcase the newest developments in computer technology.

Jordan Bean can be contacted at bean19@marshall.edu.