UNCW holds grand opening for Virtual Reality Research and Learning Lab

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW’s College of Science and Engineering held a grand opening for a new lab that hopes to foster innovation and collaboration.

Dozens gathered for the grand opening of the Virtual Reality Research and Learning Lab on Wednesday. The multi-department room offers a space for virtual labs and research equipment with several different Oculus Quests, 3-d printers and other tools provided by the Department of Chemistry. The lab is available to various departments to help conduct advanced virtual experiments and studies.

According to Kenneth McMillan with UNCW’s College of Science and Engineering Department, the options with the technology are endless.

“The hardware capabilities are increasing while the costs are coming down. It just allows you to be able to do things that you wouldn’t be able to do hands on. A good example the chemistry department, they’re not able to buy a cell to be able to dive in and take a apart, and put back together. That’s why with the VR, you can have interactions like that,” McMillan said.

McMillan said his favorite thing about the research lab is that it allows many different departments to collaborate with technology that some didn’t know were available.