Abstract:
This review will focus on the current level on chemistry research, education, and visualization
possible within the multi-user virtual environment of Second Life. We discuss how Second Life has
been used as a platform for the interactive and collaborative visualization of data from molecules
and proteins to spectra and experimental data. We then review how these visualizations can be
scripted for immersive educational activities and real-life collaborative research. We also discuss
the benefits of the social networking affordances of Second Life for both chemists and chemistry
students.
Description:
The authors would like to thank Joanna Scott and Nature who provided the
initial land in Second Life which led to the authors meeting and eventual collaboration,
Kate Sellar and the American Chemical Society who provided
the land where a number of the tools were created; Sandy Adam of Aldrich
Chemical, Peter Miller of the University of Liverpool, David Reeves of Yeshiva
University, Joan Slonczewski of Kenyon College, David Wild of Indiana
University, Rajarshi Guha at the National Institutes of Health, Antony Williams
of ChemSpider, Eloise Pasteur, and Beth Ritter-Guth who all contributed
their time and expertise at various points during the author's
collaboration.
