Mission Statement
The mission of the Idaho Virtualization Laboratory is to apply technology to the natural world to improve education and outreach, to better preserve the information contained in natural history specimens, and to greatly increase our capabilities in natural science and other scholarly research.
Overview of the IVL
The Idaho Virtualization Laboratory (IVL) is a central technology laboratory at Idaho State University (ISU) and is located within the Center for Archaeology, Materials, and Applied Spectroscopy (CAMAS). 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 three laser surface scanners for small and medium-sized objects. The IVL does not as yet have CT scanners but does have high-level software for building models using CT data generated elsewhere.
The work of the IVL is two-fold. First, it is intended for use in virtually archiving valuable museum collections, especially those contained in the IMNH. Museum collections are subject to various forms of degrading and these virtual archives serve to conserve the data contained by the specimens. Second, the IVL serves as a laboratory for applying this technology to research, teaching, and outreach projects developed by scientists and educator.
In 2005, first year funding provided for most of the basic technology of the IVL and the learning of this technology and development of scanning protocols by its core personnel. During 2006, the IVL swings into full production as many specimens from the IMNH collections are virtualized, and many projects are done in association with the region’s scholars for use in research, teaching and outreach.