Applications of Metaverse and Virtual Reality to Creative Education and Industry

This book provides excellent examples of metaverse and virtual reality and their unlimited possibilities for education and industry. By examining innovative educational activities in both real and virtual worlds, such as Second Life, SL (a three-dimensional world where avatars perform specific tasks on behalf of us), we get a unique perspective on how these technologies can revolutionize learning and professional practices. Metaverse offers a fully immersive and interconnected virtual environment, enabling individuals to engage in digital experiences that closely resemble real-world interactions, thereby providing limitless possibilities for education and industry. In addition, the chapters cover various key topics, including the integration of virtual reality in creative game design, the use of VR (virtual reality) headsets with sensor glasses for physiological data collection, and the application of VR in fields like architecture and medical education. Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Machine Learning (along with other related fields) are also mentioned. In addition, readers will encounter discussions about the future fusion of real and virtual worlds, highlighting the role of Digital Twin Technology and Augmented Reality. The book invites readers to consider critical questions about the implications of these technologies for society and industry. 

This book is a must-read for students, educators, engineers, and researchers interested in the cutting-edge applications of virtual reality and the metaverse. It serves as a textbook, reference, and practical guide, making it invaluable for academic audiences and professionals seeking to harness the power of these technologies for innovative solutions. Whether you are a professor, scientist, or engineer, or simply curious about the metaverse, avatars, and virtual reality, this book promises to be a rewarding journey into the limitless potential of these technologies for creative education and industry. 

Dr. Dana M. Barry is a Research Professor in the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering at Clarkson University in the United States and an Instructional Support Assistant at the State University of New York at Canton.  She is a Professor and Scientific Board President for Ansted University and has served as a visiting professor overseas, numerous times. So far, she has been invited as either or both a keynote speaker and an invited guest speaker in the following countries: the United States, Malaysia, Japan, China, Slovenia, Serbia, France, Greece, Spain, England, Hungary, Poland, and Italy.Professor Barry earned a B.A. and M.S. degree in Science Education from the State University of New York at Potsdam (SUNY Potsdam), and a M.S. degree in Chemistry from Clarkson University.  In addition, she has three doctoral degrees including a Ph.D. in Engineering from Osaka University, Japan.  Dr. Barry is a member and chemistry ambassador for the American Chemical Society and has served (for over 20 years) as a coordinator for both National Chemistry Week and National Earth Week for the Northern New York Section of the American Chemical Society, along with serving as a section officer for over 25 years. She belongs to the Planetary Society and has pursued some studies in space exploration. She has her name on the Mars Rovers (Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity), the MAVEN spacecraft that flew to Mars, the NASA spacecraft that landed on the asteroid Bennu in 2020, and on the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa -2, the first one in the world to land on an asteroid. She has over 400 academic publications including six Springer Nature textbooks (with most of them being listed as the best reference books in the world). Dr. Barry served as Coauthor and Coeditor for these Springer books. One of her many honors includes serving as host and co-producer of her own television show (Sensational Science) that aired for several years in Northern New York State. Other honors include winning 21 consecutive APEX Awards for Publication / Communication Excellence from Communications Concepts in Springfield, VA; a Marquis Who’s Who Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding professional contributions (2017); an Outstanding Volunteer Award from the American Chemical Society (2017); and a National Chem-Luminary Award from the American Chemical Society for promoting chemistry at the international level.  In 2019, Dr. Barry received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Materials Research Society of Japan (MRS-J) for outstanding work involving biofilms and contamination control on materials’ surfaces. Also, in 2021, she was nominated by the Academic Union of Oxford, UK, to receive the special title “The Name in Science” and a personal medal. This award is for the most respected personalities in the fields of science, technology, and innovations. In addition, Dr. Barry received the Leon LeBeau award (November 13, 2024) for her outstanding and long-lasting contributions to the members of SOAR (a large organization in Northern New York State). Her expertise is in science and creative education, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, chemistry, engineering, and for her collaborative work with Dr. Kanematsu for biofilms, antiviral materials, etc., problem-based learning activities in Second Life, and virtual reality. 

Dr. Hideyuki Kanematsu is a distinguished researcher in materials science and engineering, specializing in surface science and biofilm countermeasures. He is a Professor at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Suzuka College, in Japan, and serves as a visiting professor at Nagoya University. In addition, Dr. Kanematsu is the President and CEO of his company BEL, Inc. He holds Fellowships with ASM International (FASM, USA) and the Institute of Materials Finishing (FIMF, UK). Dr. Kanematsu earned his B.Eng., M.Eng., and Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Nagoya University, Japan. Throughout his career, Dr. Kanematsu has contributed significantly to both academia and industry, serving as Dean of the Department of Materials Engineering and as Deputy President at NIT, Suzuka College. He currently directs the Materials Science and Engineering Center under Japan’s GEAR 5.0 project, which advances research on antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiofilm materials. His research examines interfacial phenomena between materials and microorganisms, aiming to develop innovative surface treatments with applications in healthcare and environmental protection. Dr. Kanematsu has authored over 630 publications, including co-authoring four notable Springer textbooks. His work has earned numerous accolades, including Japan’s Minister of Education Award in 2021. Recognized internationally, he is advancing studies on 3D-printed surface modifications to enhance material performance against biofilms, positioning him as a leader in his field. In addition, he belongs to the Institute of Materials and Surface Finishing (IMF), The American Society for Materials Science (TMS), the American Chemical Society (ACS), the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), Japan Institute of Metals (JIM), The Iron and Steel Institute of Japan (ISIJ), The Surface Finishing Society of Japan(SFSJ), The Electrochemical Society of Japan (ECSJ), MRS-J, Japan Society of Thermal Treatment Technology (JSHT), Japan Thermal Spray Society (JTSS), and other academic societies in Japan and abroad.