Nhm Caldwell

Web-based knowledge management for distributed design

Contemporary product design is a knowledge-intensive process undertaken by virtual teams dispersed across multiple organizations. Successful design requires contextual knowledge of the target market. Knowledge management and decision support can assist in this task. By considering AI as a form of writing, we can represent knowledge in a transparent and modifiable form, which better supports the multiplicity of contexts required in real design. To assist designers in conceptual-design evaluation, we have implemented the WebCADET Web-based decision-support tool. Based on a knowledge-server architecture, WebCADET operates in design-guidance, knowledge-viewing and knowledge-capture modes. We discuss our efforts in developing WebCADET and deploying four WebCADET servers at different locations for various applications.

Remote instrument diagnosis on the Internet

First AID (Automated Instrument Diagnostics) is a fault-diagnosis expert system that is based on an information client architecture. This expert system uses generic tools such as Web browsers to aid service engineers in remotely diagnosing the faults in LEO scanning electron microscopes (SEMs). The system lets engineers acquire information directly from the SEM, diagnose inaccurate behavior and remedy inappropriate instrument settings.

Gesture-Based Control of the Scanning Electron Microscope Using a Low-Cost Webcam Sensor

This work forms part of our ongoing research into enhancing and improving microscopy and image processing technologies, and was one of a number projects undertaken to explore the potential of gesture-based interface control. This project focused on gesture-based control of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Carl Zeiss model 1430VP, using a low-cost webcam as the sensor to detect and identify gestures.

Gesture-Based Control of ImageJ Using Leap Sensors

This work forms part of our ongoing research into enhancing and improving microscopy and image processing technologies, and was one of two projects initiated to explore the potential of gesture-based interface control. This project focused on gesture-based manipulation of the ImageJ package, whose functionality can be extended through macros and plugins. In this case, additional plugins were developed to demonstrate the feasibility of interfacing ImageJ with a Leap Motion device.

Gesture-Based Control of Scanning Electron Microscopes Using Leap Sensors

This work forms part of our ongoing research into enhancing and improving SEM technologies, and was one of two projects initiated to explore the potential of gesture-based interface control. This project focused on gesture-based manipulation of the SEM.

Virtual SEM (VSEM) — Ongoing Development of Teaching Resources

In the last decade, microscopy has been successfully employed by a number of research groups as a means of instilling enthusiasm for science and technology into students of all ages, but particularly school children, e.g. [1]. Remote microscopy (or telemicroscopy) and virtual microscopy (in the form of software simulators) continue to play important roles in these efforts, and also in the teaching and training of new microscopists, e.g. [2 4]. The Microscopy & Microanalysis conference series have become a showcase for such work and associated electronic teaching resources through the regular contributed sessions, e.g. [5].