Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation, Purdue University Calumet
Reason for induction: Recognized for integrating visualization and simulation technologies to solve real world problems. CIVS has become a model for similar technology centers across the nation by its application-driven approach to discover innovative solutions, resulting in a savings of $30 million to Northwest Indiana businesses and industries.
Chenn Q. Zhou, Ph.D., CIVS director, said: “Technology is playing a new and growing a role in Northwest Indiana’s economy.”
Today, Northwest Indiana has the newly expanded Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) at Purdue University Calumet. CIVS has grown to a 6300 square foot, multi-disciplinary research center with a 70-seat immersive theater for advanced research projects and 3-D virtual classroom instruction and conference rooms.
U.S. Cong. Peter J. Visclosky stated: “The faculty and students at the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation are conducting groundbreaking work that is making significant strides in changing the dynamic in which our region’s industry and higher education collaborate to drive our economy.” He added: “CIVS provides an innovative way to learn and understand extremely complex information through visualizing, manipulating, and interacting with computer-generated simulations and models, as well as allows users to interact with three –dimensional computerized environments.”
To date, CIVS has made possible the ability for simulation technology to model real phenomena and visualization technology to create three-dimensional images and virtual reality environments. CIVS integrates two cutting edge technologies: visualization and simulation. It utilizes this integration to create a virtual world of real conditions to solve real world problems.
The Chanute Prize is co-sponsored by Krieg-DeVault and NIPSCO. Krieg DeVault is the founding sponsor of the traveling trophy, The Chanute Prize for Team Innovation.