Title: A haptic framework for the study of inter-molecular interactions

Authors: Sara Comai, Antonino Famulari, Davide Mazza

Addresses: Department of Electronics and Information (DEI), Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/5, I-20133 Milan, Italy. ' Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemistry Engineering 'Giulio Natta', Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, I-20131 Milan, Italy. ' Department of Electronics and Information (DEI), Politecnico di Milano, via Ponzio 34/5, I-20133 Milan, Italy

Abstract: The science of haptics has received a great attention in the last decade in the field of simulation and training. In particular, haptics can be introduced as a novel technology to make students feel sensations not directly experienceable in the real world and typically only reported as notions in textbooks. In this work, we present a haptically-enhanced framework for the tactile exploration of molecules: it has been introduced in a chemistry course to explain several concepts related to inter-molecular interactions. After a brief description of the architecture of the developed system, the paper describes how it has been introduced in the usual didactic activity. Users| feedbacks and impressions are reported as result of this innovation in teaching.

Keywords: haptics; chemistry education; inter-molecular interactions; molecules; haptic frameworks; simulation; sensations; sensation experience; tactile exploration; didactic activity; user feedback; teaching innovations; tactile feedback; Milan; higher education; universities; Italy; 3D; three dimensions; three dimensional; technology enhanced learning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2011.042104

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2011 Vol.3 No.5, pp.536 - 550

Published online: 26 Feb 2015 *

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