Professor Russell M. Taylor II
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Monday, April 23, 2001
3:00 pm (CT)
3269 Beckman Institute

Abstract

The nanoManipulator system is a virtual-environment interface to scanned- probe microscopes that enables scientists to directly see, touch, and manipulate individual viruses, DNA, carbon nanotubes, fibrin, and other nanometer-scale objects. Computer graphics draws the surface under study, magnified by up to a million times while a force-feedback device (a robot arm used in reverse) provides both control and touch feedback during manipulation experiments. Funded by the NIH, we are also investigating the effectiveness of collaborative teleoperation to enable remote scientists to collaborate with a local scientist operating the microscope. The system has been run remotely from Washington, Ohio, and a local middle and high school over the Internet(2). This talk will describe the nanoManipulator system, science performed using the system, support for teleoperation, and discussion of what it is like to work as part of the interdisciplinary team of scientists that continues to develop the system.

Tea and coffee will be served in R3151 Beckman Institute at 2:15pm.