Fun

Students from primary to secondary levels will enjoy tangible interactivity of the virtual chemical reactants and apparatus using mixed reality technology. Sound effects such as pour and success also add realism and excitement to the experiments. For the first time, students are free to make as many mistakes as possible and learn from them. Finally, there is almost infinite amount of chemical combinations that can be incorporated in Chemz Lab, resulting in high replay value.

Convenient

With Chemz Lab and a computer attached with a camera, students are able to conduct their own chemical experiments in the comfort of their own home, at their own pace. Even with the absence of a teacher, students are aided throughout the experiments with the help of guided hints displayed the bottom of the screen. Lastly, as students are encouraged to own their own mobile computers such as netbooks or iPad, we forsee its possibility for mass adoption in the long-run.

Safe

Students can conduct experiments without the risk of chemical injuries.

Environmental-friendly

As more and more experiments will be conducted globally by students, Chemz Lab minimise wastage by reducing the number of reactants and apparatus used to zero. As a result, less resources are consumed thus conserving the environment.

Distinctive characteristics of Chemz Lab over traditional educational software platforms ie. Adobe Flash:

1. Realism

2. Tangible interaction

Realism

Actions are calibrated based on real life human movement with the Magic Wands. For example of pour action, the computer detects a rotation transformation of the marker.

Likewise for the scoop action, it checks for close proximity with solid followed by upward translation. If both conditions are met, it will produce a scoop result of the adjacent solid. Much refining of the code was done so as to mimic the scoop action realistically.

Furthermore, angle of apparatus also reflects the speed of liquid poured out of test tube.

Tangible interaction

Our very own MXR markers with internal handles, otherwise known as “Magic wands”. Dependent solely on tangible media, does not rely on traditional inputs such as keyboard or mouse. Users can have a feel of handling chemical apparatus and conducting experiments in the comfort of their own home.

Other novel features:

Augmented On-screen Button Selection

Using actual physical markers to select the augmented on-screen button, this distinctive feature portrays mixed realty at its best. Based on the location of image points of the marker (outer and inner block). Firstly, it takes average of the first 4 image points. Secondly, it checks if it matches with the location of the on-screen button, which are predetermined by its respective range of coordinates of the screen. If so, a loading screen will appear next to the marker. If the average of image points is locked-in the location of the on-screen button for a duration of 3 seconds, the button is selected.

2D Visualization

The 2D User interface was manually drawn using OpenGL. Technical proficiency required were drawing of not only 2D (fonts, UI containers) as well as 3D geometric objects (chemical apparatus such as test tube, beaker, conical flask, spatula, plate, trash bin, reactants such as chemical liquid, iron nail). Colour and transparency was also carefully selected for a visually-appealing, friendly user experience.

3D Visualization of molecules

The 3D geometric models of molecules were drawn manually using OpenGL. Normals of sphere (representing the atoms) and cylinder (representing the covalent bonds) were manually calculated. In addition, realistic lighting, smooth shading and specular highlights were also implemented in the molecules.

Sound effects

Using the media library found in MXRMedia toolkit, loading and playback of sound files were accomplished. Firstly, the piano background music is played back in loop mode. Moreover, the sound effects such as item selected, pour, shake, spill, trash, and exit were played back at the appropriate locations. As a result, sound effects were incorporated, adding realism and excitement to the experiments.

In summary, Chemz Lab is the platform to encourage and interest primary school students to learn Chemistry!