INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL COMPARISON OF PURE AND ALLOY CRYSTAL STRUCTURES IN MATERIAL SCIENCE LESSONS

Abstract

Visualizing something invisible to the naked eye, such as the crystal structure of a material, presents a significant challenge in understanding the field of material science. Thus, this project aims to develop an augmented reality (AR) mobile application that can visualize and compare the crystal structure of pure and alloy metals to assist in understanding material science. AR is used to integrate real-world data with computer-generated content to provide an interactive approach that goes beyond traditional methods. The models of the crystal structures are generated using SolidWorks software and then integrated into Unity software to blend the structure into the real-world application. Next, Vuforia software is used to make AR accessible on mobile phones. As a result, ‘Crystal View 1.0’ is developed and ready to use on students’ smartphones. The application offers a mixed reality view, enabling the real-time visualization of the crystal structures and detailed descriptions. 81% of mechanical engineering students taking material science courses are interested in using AR to learn crystal structure. In conclusion, the application can help students visualize and differentiate the crystal structures of pure and alloy metals interactively with real-world applications, thereby boosting the motivation of science students to learn material science.