Loughborough University in the UK emerges as the first to use holographic technology to present international guest lecturers to increase student engagement and provide immersive educational opportunities.
The university has partnered with LA-based firm Proto, known for its holographic units used by companies like BT and IBM for virtual meetings, as reported by The Guardian. These holographic units, integrated into classrooms, will bring subject experts and professionals from diverse fields together to engage with students. Loughborough plans to leverage this technology across various disciplines, such as sports, science, and fashion.
Leading the rollout of holographic technology at Loughborough, Prof. Vikki Locke emphasizes students' overwhelming enthusiasm for the holographic guest lecturers. She notes that students prefer the lifelike and engaging nature of holographic presentations compared to traditional methods. Scheduled for 2025, the university plans to formally integrate holographic technology into its curriculum after a year of experimentation and refinement.
Revolutionizing Learning Experience
David Nussbaum, Proto's creator, suggests employing AI to show holographic pictures of historical individuals. He suggests constructing AI replicas of famous people like Stephen Hawking with realistic looks, speech, and interactions. The university's futuristic strategy uses immersive and revolutionary technology to prepare students for changing employment landscapes.
Immersive technology and AI literacy help students prepare for employment, according to Loughborough University professor Gary Burnett. "Different immersive technologies and AI are the new forms of literacy," he noted. Moreover, holographic technology may help the institution achieve sustainability objectives, reduce guest speaker travel, and boost worldwide research partnerships, according to pro-vice-chancellor Rachel Thomson.
Beyond engagement, holographic technology can illustrate complicated equipment and reduce student project materials. Nussbaum hopes to make holographic capabilities more affordable with tiny systems around $1,000. He recognizes the legal risks of making holographic avatars that resemble people.
This Loughborough University endeavor follows a trend in education to use immersive technology and AI to improve learning and prepare students for the workforce.
According to The Economist, researchers are studying the use of AI in education, notably in individualized teaching and marking automation. However, they pointed out that AI chatbots have issues, including providing false information.
Heat-Absorbing Microcapsules Possible Solution for High Temps in Devices
In a parallel development, Dr. Goran Vladisavljevic and his team at Loughborough University have developed microcapsules containing phase change materials (PCMs) that efficiently absorb heat in electronic devices. These 0.2-mm-wide capsules, requiring no external energy source, transition from a solid to a liquid state at elevated temperatures, absorbing significant heat before resetting when temperatures decrease.
According to the university's news release, UV light and a specialized microfluidic device inspired by Lego bricks are used in Dr. Vladisavljevic's innovative process to produce uniform microcapsules with various sizes, thicknesses, and PCM types. Moreover, this breakthrough tackles the challenge of managing heat generated by electric currents in smaller electronic devices, offering potential applications in cooling smartphones, laptops, batteries, and solar energy generators.
The technology has undergone rigorous testing for mechanical stability at the University of Birmingham and durability at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. The team envisions further development and testing of the capsules in industrial settings in the near future.
