3D Imaging and Modeling in Winston Salem, North Carolina

Be careful if you enter Winston Tower in downtown Winston-Salem, NC, because you might find body part print generation, ranging virtual seas and private dreams animated.

Nickolay Hristov, of the Center for Design Innovation, hosted an assembly of local 3D imaging, animation artists and topography mapping professionals to a packed house this evening. Presentations included Dennis Nikolaidis (formerly of Out of Our Minds Animation) with Animusing Productions, Josh Tan, MS of Research Medical Imaging & 3D Modeling CBI, Thomas Tucker of Winston Salem State University's Animation Department, and David Norman and DeEtta Famiano of Famiano Design Group. Each company and presenter is worth exploring further if you have an interest in 3D animation or modeling in Winston-Salem or the Triad.

Of particular note tonight:

Dennis Nikolaidis demonstrated the process he used to generate a 3D animation of an open sea. The complex and trial and error process resulted in an expansive, realistic 3D animation of a seascape complete with clouds and shoreline that drew gasps and applause from the group. Dennis is an unassuming and highly gifted specialist.

Josh Tan presented examples of how 2D medical digital imaging can be converted into a precise and dynamic 3D medically exact model. This process enables physicians to take virtual, but factual, tours of the patients body, locating tumors, aneurysms, and hidden fractures. Mr. Tan also share the fun (if still incomplete) programming of a Kinect controller adapted to allow motion navigation through a 3D model program. Josh also share a video of 3D model printing as well as a sample of a printed human skull. He had to tell us it wasn't real.

Thomas Tucker showed some clever examples of taking existing 3D modeling research to full animation. The man made a dog skeleton walk in "Night at the Museum" style. Best of all, Mr. Tucker showed several 3D animation projects that were inspired by the images taken from his meditations. Yes, Thomas Tucker has dare to animate dreams!

DeEtta Famiano and David Norman concluded our evening with a presentation of the expansive capabilities of laser scanner data collection - which sounds clever enough, but when applied to topographical and terrain mapping is just downright amazing. Their current project for the restoration of Moody's Furnace has interesting implications for construction site research and large project commercial development. Future applications include our very own I-40 Business corridor here in Winston-Salem, NC.

3D modeling and animation is very much alive in the Triad and it appears may be responsible for bringing a great deal "to life" in our community. Special thanks to Nickolay Hristov and the Center for Design Innovation for an educational and inspirational evening.

Pediatric Medical Device Conference

The first PMDI Consortium Conference is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, November 18-19. PMDI Consortium members, Brenner Children's Hospital and the Childress Institute for Pediatric Trauma will be hosting the conference at the Hawthorne Inn and Conference Center in Winston-Salem. Download a flyer and conference schedule here, and register for the conference here.

Winston + Salem = Arts and Innovation

Read this in-depth article in Winston-Salem Monthly magazine about the history of the city's efforts to grow its technology sector. From the article:

The Twin City's wealth of higher education gives us a competitive edge in the 21st century and is part of what makes its Piedmont Triad Research Park, an innovation community for life sciences and information technology, so dynamic and flush with collaborative opportunities. "Life outside the lab makes all the difference," the park's website states. "The city of Winston-Salem nurtures intellectual and business opportunities, stimulating its residents' creativity and their visions for the future."

Read the entire article here.

Targacept Celebrates 10th Anniversary

There is a comprehensive article in today's Winston-Salem Journal about Targacept and the work they are doing to find treatments for Alzheimer's. From the article:

As research extends into higher-level clinical trials involving patients, Targacept is adding to its work force. After spinning out with 24 employees, it expects to hire at least 35 this year to get to 150.

Read more here.

Wake Forest Cancer Researchers Discover New Treatment

(from the Triad Business Journal)

Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center have made a “major breakthrough” in how to target and destroy the most malignant and aggressive brain cancer cells.

An announcement from the medical center said scientists have identified a way to target and destroy Glioblastoma multiforme, or GBM, cells without harming healthy cells.

“Over the last 30 to 40 years, with all the cancer research efforts out there, we have only been able to extend the survival rate in these patients by about one month per decade of research,” said Dr. Waldemar Debinski, director of the Brain Tumor Center of Excellence at Wake Forest Baptist.

Read more: WFU researchers make cancer discovery - The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area

$500,000 Grant Available for Biology Researchers/Engineers

There's a $500,000 grant out there for the taking, if you're an academic scientist or engineer seeking answers to biological questions.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is inviting pre-proposals from people who would like to nominate themselves for the annual Career Award at the Scientific Interface, designed "to bridge advanced postdoctoral training and the first three years of faculty service."

Read more at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's website.