splash-lg-7.jpg

Scientific Visualization

Scientific visualization, sometimes referred to as visual data analysis, uses the graphical representation of data as a means of gaining understanding and insight into the data. Scientific visualization research at SCI has focused on applications spanning computational fluid dynamics, medical imaging and analysis, and fire simulations. Research involves novel algorithm development to building tools and systems that assist in the comprehension of massive amounts of scientific data. In helping researchers to comprehend spatial and temporal relationships between data, interactive techniques provide better cues than noninteractive techniques; therefore, much of scientific visualization research focuses on better methods for visualization and rendering at interactive rates.

Physical Models for the Polarized Scattering of Light

scattering

The change in polarization state due to the interaction of light with the surface and beneath the surface of an object has become increasingly important in realistic image synthesis of materials such as metallic, iridescent and pearlescent paint, skin, hair and cosmetics. This paper presents a model for the anisotropic scattering of polarized light based upon the physics of light; which is capable of calculating both partial and complete polarization using a combination of Jones and Mueller calculus, as well as incorporating self shadowing effects.