Title
of the Conference : |
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Impact of Advances in Computing and Communications Technologies on Chemical Science and Technology: Report of a Workshop. Commission on Physical Sciences, Mathematics, and Applications, National Research Council |
Abstract : |
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Bridget Carragher and Clinton S. Potter, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, discussed their experience with the development of remote and automated access to imaging instrumentation in the World Wide Laboratory (WWL) project. They proposed several ways of using remote-access technology in practice, including for service, collaboration, education and training, remote research, and automated and intelligent control of functions usually performed manually by a local operator. Among the advantages they described for remote-access technology--which is one component of a collaboratory--were opportunities for consultation with experts located anywhere, access to a network of distributed expertise, and unprecedented opportunities for education, training, and access for users at institutions lacking the means to support expensive and unique instruments.
Specific examples they reported on involved remote work with a transmission electron microscope, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging spectrometers, and a video light microscope--all of which are accessible in the WWL through Web-browser-based user interfaces. One K-12 education project, Chickscope, showed that very complex remote-access technology could be used effectively by students at all grade levels and also demonstrated all of the components defined for a working collaboratory.
They concluded by noting that wider acceptance of collaboratories in the general scientific community would require demonstration of their impact in the scientific research environment as well as a systematic evaluation of their contribution to productivity.
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