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KDI: 3D Knowledge: Acquisition, Representation and Analysis in a Distributed Environment

Posted September 28th, 2007 by elaine
in
Theme: 
Culture, Heritage and Identity

Description

The 3D Knowledge (3DK) project seeks to develop a knowledge network for the acquisition, representation,
query and analysis of 3D knowledge in a distributed environment. Assuming that most such
knowledge is inherent in and derivable from 3D geometric structures, new capabilities and
corresponding tools will be developed for combining, classifying and analyzing 3D objects
and phenomena at variable scales.

To achieve these goals, principal investigators will focus on the understanding and
development of mechanisms for mathematical modeling, discipline specific feature extraction,
archiving, storage, querying, retrieval, matching, visualization and analysis of 3D data. They
will develop a software library kernel, tools for data archiving, and an Internet-accessible
interface to enable users to construct customized shape browser search engines. The work
should have immediate application to important problems in the biosciences, in
biotechnology, and in anthropology.

The outcomes and impact of the 3DK Project are:

  • Enhanced communication across disciplines, languages, and cultures
  • Improved processing and integration of knowledge from different sources, domains, and nontext media types.
  • Increased effectiveness of teams, organizations, classrooms, or communities that work together.
  • Deeper understanding of the ethical, legal, and social implications of new developments in connectivity.

The pilot projects include shape characterization of archaeological artifacts (BONES,
VESSELS, LITHICS); shapes and forms of intracellular bio-molecular machines to gain
insight into their functions (CELLS, BIO-STRUCTURES) and spatial symmetry in phenomena
observed in experimental simulations in Plant Biology (DIATOMS).

The Visual Query Interface permits users to input, analyze, refine and limit searches via
interaction with the Graphic User Interface (GUI). The query request can be made in a
variety of modes including text and interactive 2D/3D models. The query process permits a
range of approaches to address the varied learning styles and analytical approaches of the
target.

View 3DK publications and presentations/events


Links

Team Members: 
  • Anshuman Razdan, Principal Investigator, PRISM Director
  • Arleyn Simon, Co-Principal Investigator, SHESC
  • Mark Henderson, Co-Principal Investigator, PRISM, Industrial Engineering
  • Daniel Collins, Co-Principal Investigator, PRISM, School of Art
  • Gerald Farin, Co-Principal Investigator, PRISM, Computer Science/Engineering
  • Gregory Nielson, Co-Principal Investigator, Computer Science/Engineering
  • David Capco, Co-Principal Investigator, School of Life Sciences
  • Mary Marzke, Co-Principal Investigator, SHESC
  • John Behrens, Co-Principal Investigator, Education/Psychology (formerly)
  • Jeremy Rowe, Co-Principal Investigator, PRISM, IT
  • Sethuraman Panchanathan, Co-Principal Investigator, Computer Science/Engineering
  • B.L. Ramakrishna, Co-Principal Investigator, School of Life Sciences
  • Peter McCartney, Co-Principal Investigator, International Institute of Sustainability

Research Assistants

  • Kevin Johns (Graduate Research Assistant, ceramics)
  • David Van Alfen (Graduate Research Assistant, ceramics)
  • Utsav Shurmans (Graduate Research Assistant, lithics)
  • Julian Riel-Salvatore (Graduate Research Assistant, lithics)

Funding Sources: 

National Science Foundation
IIS Division of Information & Intelligent Systems
CSE Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering
($2,100,000)