Irish universities are leading the world in implementing AAA virtual labs for their programs. On October 2022, Munster Technological University in Ireland began this journey by investing in the development of PNX Virtual labs for mechanical engineering. The first project aims to teach students to operate the Instron 3400 Universal Test Machine to perform tension tests. The goal is to have a complete mechanical engineering VR lab by 2023 with the most common instruments.
Students can do torsion and spring tests, Charpy or Izod tests, Rockwell or Brinell hardness tests, and others. The device selected for the program is the Oculus Quest 2 since it offers the best performance and stable operating system. Soon, MTU will have a complete set of Virtual Labs for engineering mechanics where students will be able to join in different metaverse environments and collaborate in these virtual worlds. Other virtual labs are being planned to be implemented, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Students will be able to perform the following experiments in VR: Thermocouple as a temperature sensor, Airspeed measurement, Losses in Pipe fittings, Crossflow heat exchangers, Extended Surface Heat Transfer, Transient Heat Transfer, Combined Convection and Radiation on a cylinder, Impact of a water jet and Pipe friction. Since 2017 PNX Labs has been leading the development of AAA virtual labs that work. With a unique platform to develop STEM content, we can create customized experiences for our customers. While other companies employ engines to develop video games and have high development costs and poor understanding of STEM subjects, we have invested in the technology to give our customers the best product in the market.
Starting in September Lamar University in Texas will use for the first time a series of Virtual Labs for Engineering. Students will be able to do multiple experiments in both Windows PCs and VR Headsets, perform calculations, record data and modify key variables with real instrument models. All the data used to develop the simulations was gathered from real experimentation so students and professors can be confident the same data generated by the virtual labs will math that of the real world.
Starting in September 2021 the Florida International University will make use for the first time of a series of Virtual Labs for Engineering. Students will be able to do multiple experiments in both windows and HTML platforms, perform calculations, record data and modify key variables with real instrument models. All the data used to develop the simulations was gathered from real experimentation performed by the faculty so students and professors can be confident the same data generated by the virtual labs will match that of the real world. Some of the experiments that were developed by PNX Labs for FIU are the following:
