Idaho State University

Idaho State University Researchers
Solve Mysteries of Ancient “Shark” w/ Spiral-Toothed Jaw; Results Published in Royal Society’s Journal Biology Letters
ISU Headlines
Feburary 27, 2013

Using CAT scans and making 3-D virtual reconstructions of the jaws of the ancient fish Helicoprion, Idaho State University researchers have solved some of the mysteries surrounding large spiral fossils of this fish’s teeth.
The ISU Museum of Natural History has one of the largest public collections of Helicoprion spiral-teeth fossils in the world. The fossils of this 270-million-year-old or older fish have long mystified scientists ... More

In Honor of Darwin Day
The Idaho Museum of Natural History and the ISU Chapter of Sigma Xi present
ISU Headlines
January 30, 201

"Recent Rapid Human Evolution: Some Implications for the Humanities and the Sciences"
by Dr. Henry Harpendig
Member of the National Academy of Sciences
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
Distinguished Professor of Anthropology.

On Thursday February 7th at 7:00 pm, in the College of Education Auditorium, Education Building Room 243 ... More

Idaho State University’s Herbert Maschner
elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
ISU Headlines
November 29, 2012

Herbert Maschner, director of the Idaho Museum of Natural History and Idaho State University professor of anthropology, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Election as an AAAS Fellow is an honor bestowed upon AAAS members by their peers. The American Association for the Advancement of Science is the world’s largest general scientific society."  ... More

Anthropologist Puts an Idaho Museum's Many Bones Within Virtual Reach

The Chronicle of Higher Education

July 10, 2011

By Peter Monaghan

Animal-bone specimens are in high demand. But researchers eager for access to them far outnumber the supply of such repositories. One anthropologists's solution: Share his animal bones. ...More

Idaho State Museum Cements Ties to Smithsonian

Washington Examiner

July 14, 2012

AP Staff Writer

The Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Institution have announced a cooperative agreement that will utilize the museum's expertise at making 3-D digital images.  ... More

 

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Mission

Idaho Virtualization Laboratory

To democratize science, facilitate scientific research and collaboration, improve education and outreach, and to better preserve natural and cultural history collections stored in museums and other scientific repositories through the use of modern informatics and visualization techniques.

Overview of the IVL

The Idaho Virtualization Laboratory (IVL) is a integrative, multidisciplinary research laboratory at Idaho State University (ISU) and is located within the Idaho Museum of Natural History. The lab facility houses technology for the development of virtual files containing three-dimensional data for selected objects.

The data are generated using surface scanners. The IVL houses seven laser surface scanners for small and medium-sized objects. The IVL does not as yet have CT scanning capabilities, but can facilitate high-level software for the processing of CT data generated elsewhere.

The work of the IVL is two-fold:

First, the equipment housed at the IVL is intended for use in the virtual archiving of valuable museum collections, materials from archaeological and paleontological excavations, faunal remains, and all other applicable aspects of cultural and natural history. Many items of this field, such as those housed in museum and teaching collections, are perishable or easily damaged by repeated handling. The goal in creating virtual archives of such collections is to preserve the integrity of the specimens and provide alternative access to collections.

Second, the IVL serves as a laboratory for applying this technology to research, teaching, and outreach projects developed by scientists and educators. We openly encourage interdepartmental research, and have an open door policy to all earnest scientific endeavors conducted by our colleagues here at Idaho State University, local and regional administrative agencies, and other academic institutions.

 

 

 

 

 

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