Engineering simulations have opened several gates for today's chemical engineers. They are powerful tools to provide technical content as physics-based numerical solvers. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), on the other hand, are already underway to digitize environments in many fields. The combination of AR/VR environments and simulations in engineering education has been attracting widespread interest. Literature has demonstrated a massive amount of educational digital environments in several contexts as being complementary to conventional educational methods. Nevertheless, hosting technical content produced by engineering simulations with educational AR/VR is still challenging and requires expertise from multiple disciplines throughout the technical development. Present work provides a facile and agile methodology for low-cost hardware but content-wise rich AR software development. A case study is developed to teach chemical-engineering concepts using a liquid-soap synthesis process. Accordingly, we assess and conclude the digital development process to guide unexperienced developers for the digitalization of teaching content. The present contribution serves as an example of the power of integrating AR/VR with traditional engineering simulations for educational purposes. The digital tool developed in this work is shared in the online version.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations can provide meaningful technical content in engineering education, broad engineering and business. However, computationally demanding data production and complex data processing environments of CFD simulations turn them into esoteric tools for potential nonexpert users. This consequently limits applications and communications of CFD simulations and results. Augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technologies are opening new gates for visualization and interaction techniques. Despite the many recent attempts, the literature lacks an inclusive system development procedure for CFD simulations with AR/VR. The present study proposes a componentoriented system architecture to generate dedicated workflows for any kind of AR/VR environment supported by CFD simulations. The study further explores the potential of data processing options throughout the preparation of the simulation dataset with AR/VR. An automated data coupling strategy is additionally introduced to ease multiplatform integration. We provide an integration strategy with simple, easy-to-implement, end-to-end, automated and free-to-use utilities that the practitioners can readily pursue.
Engineering simulations have since long been considered an imperative design and analysis tool for chemical reaction engineering (CRE). Notably, reactor and process design are domains in which multiphysics computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are applied to understand phenomena that are difficult, time-consuming or expensive to be explored with experiments. On the other hand, advanced post-processing methods and virtual reality can enable high-quality educational content with engineering simulations. Nevertheless, the utilization of these tools in education is still underdeveloped. This study explores the potential of integration of multiphysics CFD simulations with AR/VR and its educational use. By iterating on this potential we present a generic system architecture with inter-disciplinary consideration of two building stones:(1) Recent advancements in CFD & multiphysics simulations, and (2) Emerging immersive technologies. A case study is demonstrated applying the generic methodology in order to illustrate the integration. The study promotes a rich and engaging environment with engineering simulations where interactivity can be empowered to entertain learners with AR/VR. This will primarily assist enthusiasts to develop feasible complementary environments with simulations.
Virtual reality has become a significant asset to diversify the existing toolkit supporting engineering education and training. The cognitive and behavioral advantages of virtual reality (VR) can help lecturers reduce entry barriers to concepts that students struggle with. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are imperative tools intensively utilized in the design and analysis of chemical engineering problems. Although CFD simulation tools can be directly applied in engineering education, they bring several challenges in the implementation and operation for both students and lecturers. In this study, we develop the “Virtual Garage” as a task-centered educational VR application with CFD simulations to tackle these challenges. The Virtual Garage is composed of a holistic immersive virtual reality experience to educate students with a real-life engineering problem solved by CFD simulation data. The prototype is tested by graduate students ( n = 24) assessing usability, user experience, task load and simulator sickness via standardized questionnaires together with self-reported metrics and a semi-structured interview. Results show that the Virtual Garage is well-received by participants. We identify features that can further leverage the quality of the VR experience with CFD simulations. Implications are incorporated throughout the study to provide practical guidance for developers and practitioners.
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