Interactive Graphics for Molecular Studies & Microscopy

Principal Investigator: Russell M. Taylor II 
Funding Agency: National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering 
Agency Number: 8-P41-EB002025-20

Abstract
Research performed to date under the collaboratory supplement includes:(a) experiments to determine how to better serve remote collaborators without requiring a dedicated network; (b) design and development of a distributed, collaborative version of the nanoManipulator that combines collaboration tools, remote control of an atomic force microscope, and synchronous control of microscope data visualization and haptic feedback to allow scientists to collaboratively and individually manipulate nanoscale objects independent of location; (c) an experimental evaluation of the collaboratory, investigating the adoptability of collaboratories, users' attitudes towards collaboratories, and the impact of collaboratory use on the process and outcomes of scientific tasks; and, (d) data collection for a longitudinal ethnographic evaluation of distributed scientific collaboration conducted within the context of the nanoManipulator collaboratory. This proposal requests funds to continue this research.

We propose to: (a) continue the longitudinal, ethnographic evaluation study, collecting additional interview and observational data to increase our understanding of the impact of collaboratories on scientific outcomes and the scientific process; (b) apply design principles we developed while designing the nanoManipulator collaboratory to the design and development of the center's new scientific instrument, the 3D atomic force microscope; (c) extend the experimental evaluation of the nanoManipulator collaboratory, performing additional data analysis, e.g., to investigate the role individual differences may have in collaboratory use and adoption, and conducting additional experiment sessions to investigate scientific task and system performance across very large distances. Lastly, we propose to synthesize the research completed under this supplement, presenting the results in a book and/or series of papers.