DIAL
Evolving Capabilitites: Phase II
Digital Image Analysis Laboratory
The digital Image analysis laboratory (DIAL) is a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically to advance the teaching and research objectives of the BU Antarctic Research Group. DIAL, initiated in 2008 and continually growing in capability, provides a comprehensive and integrated suite of computing, software, and advanced display capabilities that together form an unparalleled resource to the Antarctic Research Group, the Earth Sciences Department, and University-wide outreach activities. DIAL is maintained and upgraded by all members of the Antarctic Research Group, including graduate students Sean Mackay (DIAL Director) and Jen Lamp. Financial support for DIAL has come from various NSF resources, as well as a targeted Gift Fund (Antarctic and Planetary Science Gift Account) to which benefactors have contributed funds to help make the first phase of DIAL a reality. Consistent with its dual purposes of both research and teaching enhancement, the DIAL facility is used in laboratory studies in both introductory and advanced Earth Science courses, and addresses two broad objectives: (1) environmental immersion and (2) advanced imagery and geophysical data analysis.
Antarctica is a remote, hostile, and expensive location for onsite research and educational activities. By combining the unique contributions from remote sensing, digital-image processing, specialized software, substantial computing power, and innovative display capabilities, DIAL enables researchers and students virtual access to any part of Antarctica, without ever leaving their seats.
In addition to three 50-inch Plasma displays, a CoreWall for ice-core analysis, and numerous HD flat screen computer monitors, the centerpiece of DIAL’s display technology is a new GeoWall 3D projection system. Display components in the GeoWall system create a true-color 3D experience of the Antarctic landscape projected onto a 100-inch screen. When coupled with DIAL’s extensive database of remotely sensed and ground-based imagery, this capability enables virtual exploration and analysis of the Antarctic environment, covering an extensive spatial area of the continent. A close partnership with the Antarctic Geospatial Information Center (AGIC) ensures DIAL’s access to the most recent and advanced Antarctic imagery and geospatial models.
In addition, as a part of DIAL’s mission to develop new imagery, the laboratory includes its own advanced photographic capabilities, including high-resolution stereo cameras for 3-D field shots and movies, infrared photography, and time-lapse photography, all of which ensure a steady stream of field-based imagery for data processing and viewing through DIAL displays.
Augmenting and driving DIAL’s advanced display capabilities is a suite of specialized software tools running on high-powered workstations to enable processing and analysis of geospatial and geophysical data. These tools include ESRI ArcGIS for geospatial analysis, Fledermaus for multi dimensional data visualization and analysis, ENVI for remotely sensed image processing, and CoreAlyzer for ice-core analysis. Processing of seismic data utilizes Seismic Processing Workshop (SPW) and SeisUnix; a GSSI RADAN package is used for post-processing of data derived from ground-penetrating radar. Several additional packages are installed in the laboratory for three-dimensional image and movie creation from stereo data. Digitization of existing paper maps, historical images, and > 50,000 color slides of Antarctic landscapes is accomplished using high-definition Nikon and Plustek flat bed and slide scanners. The lab also includes handheld field computers with GPS/GIS capabilities configured to run ArcMap with the Trimble GPSCorrect extension for data collection and mapping in the field.
Evolving Capabilities: Phase II
To remain at the forefront of immersive teaching and field research, DIAL must maintain pace with the leading edge of technological advances. This reality has led to the development of Phase II: Advanced Immersive Technology. To reach its full potential in attracting new students to science, and in advancing ongoing research, outreach, and data dissemination, Phase II will focus on upgrading the viewing capabilities to achieve near-total immersion and the ability to perform detailed Antarctic “field work” from within the confines of DIAL walls. Upgrades and new equipment to make this happen include an active wall-array of six 55-inch, high-definition monitors for unprecedented spatial coverage of satellite imagery; four ultra-high definition plasma displays for analysis of ice-cores and ultra-high resolution field imagery; improved lighting and sound systems that take advantage of new room-darkening technology and stereo acoustics; and, an upgraded central control unit that would enable user-friendly switching among the various displays and data sets currently available.
(low res capabilities overview)
For inquiries and tours of DIAL, please contact Professor David Marchant (marchant@bu.edu).