journal article·2021-11-15Open access

VRChem: A Virtual Reality Molecular Builder

Otso Pietikäinen, Perttu Hämäläinen, Jaakko Lehtinen, Antti J. Karttunen

Applied Sciences· Volume 11· Issue 22

Abstract

Virtual reality provides a powerful way to visualize the three-dimensional, atomic-level structures of molecules and materials. We present new virtual reality software for molecular modeling and for testing the use of virtual reality in organic chemistry education. The open-source software, named VRChem, was developed primarily for building, visualizing and manipulating organic molecules using a head-mounted virtual reality system. The design goal of the VRChem software was to create an easy-to-use and entertaining user experience for molecular modeling in virtual reality. We discuss the design and implementation of VRChem, together with real-life user experiences collected from students and academic research staff.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · Experimental Learning in Engineering · Innovative Teaching Methods

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Chemistry and Materials Science, Aalto University, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland

Department of Media, Aalto University, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland

Department of Computer Science, Aalto University, FI-00076 Espoo, Finland

Funding

Aalto University

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