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NSF funds study of 3D fluid surfaces by UD researchers
3:43 p.m., Aug. 22, 2006--University of Delaware researchers have been awarded a $499,430 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for innovative work to measure and develop models of elusive three-dimensional fluid surfaces using specially modified digital cameras in large arrays. The results of the research could find applications in fluid mechanics as well as in computer graphics and vision, providing for the validation of fluid models and the integration of reconstructed fluid surfaces into animations and film footage to reproduce realistic phenomena, according to Jingyi Yu, an assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences and principal investigator for the project. Yu, who conducts research in computer graphics, computer vision and computational photography, said that the modeling and reconstruction of fluid surfaces poses a number of challenges. “Traditionally, this has been a very tough problem,” he said. “It is difficult to get accurate information on fluid surfaces without the use of intrusive devices, which can in turn change the dynamics of the fluid surface upon insertion.” Another challenge is that fluid surfaces are governed by complex physical mechanisms that need to be incorporated in the reconstruction methods. Yu said that in the NSF project, he and co-principal investigator Philippe Guyenne, UD assistant professor of mathematical sciences, are proposing a novel approach for accurately reconstructing three-dimensional fluid surfaces through the design of an experimental system using a light field camera array that can simultaneously capture different views of a fluid surface. Guyenne has developed models of fluid surfaces but has had limited ways to verify the models, Yu said, adding a goal of the research is to capture the fluid surfaces and thereby validate both the model and the method. The light field camera array features a number of digital cameras, from 16 to 128, with specially modified flashes, lenses and apertures. Instead of one flash, each camera is equipped with four. Yu said the system works by placing a known pattern beneath the surface, with each camera in the array observing a distinct time-varying distortion pattern. A sampled fluid surface can then be measured by analyzing the distortions. For surface reconstruction, the researchers plan to develop an algorithm to minimize the error relative to the sampled data. “The use of the camera array provides for dynamic depths of view,” Yu said. A single photograph from a single camera enables only one point to be in focus whereas the array enables the researcher to track from foreground to background, with all points in the image in focus. Besides applications in scientific research on fluid surfaces, Yu said the system could render more lifelike images of such things as flowing water for use in movies and video games. In addition to the current NSF research project, Yu is interested in high-end three-dimensional imaging. He has a particular interest in developing autostereoscopic 3D displays using arrays of lenses to improve medical imaging and virtual three-dimensional surgery. He also has an interest in developing the office and classroom of the future, using camera projection systems to create a new work environment. In his own office is a dual desktop system in which he can work at his desk on one task while projecting information onto a virtual whiteboard on a nearby wall to work on other problems. The system makes use of an ultrasonic pen and Bluetooth technology to emulate writing on the wall, which in reality remains clean. Yu joined the UD faculty in 2005 after receiving his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He said computational photography is a relatively new area and UD is one of a handful of school offering the program. “This is a way to make algorithms and mathematics make sense, to make them useful in real life,” he said. Article by Neil Thomas |
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