Das Projekt will ein standartisiertes Interface für reale fernsteuerbare Geräte oder serverseitige Simulatoren sowie Lernmodule aus dem hochaktuellen Gebiet der „Nanotechnologie“ realisieren. Einfacher: Das Projekt plant die Entwicklung von Simulatoren für Rastersonden-Mikroskopen, an denen Studierenden über internetbasierte Kommunikationskanäle auf einer realitätsnahen Benutzeroberfläche arbeiten können. Als Vorbild dient die Flugsimulatortechnologie.
Das Projekt verknüpft in exemplarischer Weise ein aktuelles Forschungsgebiet aus der Spitzentechnologie mit den didaktischen Möglichkeiten und Anforderungen internetgestützten Lernens.
The last stage in our virtual e-learning environment is accomplished by a commercial Nanosurf easyScan microscope which we operate fully remote controllable. Students can collaboratively work on real experiments from multiple clients anywhere and anytime. One single remote, multi-accessible apparatus keeps the time of support at a minimum level and offers a maximum of usability. In addition, our remote atomic force microscope (RAFM) features an automatic positioning robotic to allow students to automatically choose from different samples. This means, various experiments can be done using the same instrument without the need of an operator.
The RAFM is designed for the use in an e-learning environment and fully remote controllable. A server enables the connection to various clients. Because of the easy protocol, the clients can have customized graphical interfaces. This means the look and feel can be adjusted to the actual user and the specific application.
The RAFM represents a state-of-the-art system using modern internet technologies and a robust, accurate and easy to handle robotics. The instrument is controlled by a LabViewTM server that manages the robotics as well as the remote accessibility. LabViewTM is an industry standard graphical programming environment. The implemented server supports a simple and open command line language. This keeps the accessibility very flexible. For the use as an e-learning tool, the graphical user interface (GUI) can be customized to fit the needs of students with various knowledge levels. This feature is interesting for the industrial user as well. The GUI can be adjusted to a specific application or experiment within minutes.