Virtual Reality Implementation of a Scanning Electron Microscope in Nanotechnology Education

A virtual reality representation of a scanning electron microscope was developed to be used as a pedagogical tool to train students in its proper use. This will enable students to have full access to a scanning electron microscope in the classroom and learn the processes of creating a sample, which will help solidify the abstract concepts presented to them throughout their education in nanotechnology. A training session to learn the basic procedure for using the scanning electron microscope was developed. These procedures were practiced and then presented to a team of programmers who created a virtual reality version of the microscope. Several processes were documented to create this pedagogical tool for the classroom: An understanding of the correct procedures and protocol when using the scanning electron microscope, how the microscope images a sample, the processes to view samples, creating biological and non-biological samples, the process of sputter coating nonconductive samples, and what is involved in the sputter coating process. These processes, along with a representation of the machine were created in virtual reality to give students a tool to help see and understand abstract concepts presented to them during their education in nanotechnology. Students entering the virtual reality laboratory use hand motions via virtual reality controllers to manipulate the virtual reality lab and perform a complete scanning electron microscopy experiment. As they interact with the virtual reality lab, messages and warnings guide them through the safe manipulation of the virtual scanning electron microscope. They are then prepared to use a real SEM in the lab or in the workforce. By working with the team creating the virtual reality representation of these processes a tool that instills real laboratory techniques before the students even encounter the physical instrument was created. This Virtual Reality lab will benefit institutions who do not have access to a scanning electron microscope and better prepare students in advance to work safely and effectively with the scanning electron microscope. Unfamiliarity with scanning electron microscope function can result in mistakes causing damage to the sample stage, detectors, and microscope column. Such damages can require thousands of dollars to repair. Students trained via the virtual scanning electron microscope laboratory learn correct safety procedures in the virtual lab, often through trial and error, and are far less likely to repeat those errors in future use of a real scanning electron microscope.