WiiMD*: Interactive Molecular Simulations with the Nintendo WiiMote
Overview
WiiMD combines the highly intuitive technology
of Nintendo's latest video game system with real molecular dynamics simulations to create a
truly interactive supercomputing experience that is accessible to wide audience. The
project is designed to expose K-12 audiences to supercomputers and physical simulation in
an effort to raise awareness of computational science and provide educators with a tool that
enriches their current curriculum. Activities such as "Unfolding a Protein" and
"Buckyball Bowling" provide an egaging, educational, and fun experience for all ages.
At the heart of WiiMD is the highly advanced biomolecular simulation technology NAMD and the molecular visualization package VMD, both developed by the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group led by Klaus Schulten at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The PSC team has modified the interactive MD experience with a fully 3-D interface for the WiiMote and have connected the simulation to advanced computational resources, such as BigBen, at the PSC.
For more information about WiiMD, please contact Shawn Brown, Senior Scientific Specialist
Upcoming Events- Teragrid 08, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 9-13th, 2007-- see the Demonstrations section for details
- Supercomputing '07, Reno, Nevada, Nov. 2007 Press Release
- NSF Budget Rollout Expo, Washington, D.C., Feb. 2008.
- Shawn T. Brown, Senior Scientific Specialist, PSC
- Philip K. Blood, Scientific Specialist, PSC
- Jordan Soyke, Student Researcher, PSC
- Marylou Kunkle, Student Researcher, PSC
*Wii,WiiMote and Nintendo are registered trademarks of Nintendo Co., Ltd.