UALR Launches ‘Game Changing’ Emerging Analytics Center
by June 3, 2013 10:43 am 152 views
UALR launched the George W. Donaghey Emerging Analytics Center (EAC), a program that state and higher education officials describe as a “game changer.”
The EAC, located on the fourth floor of UALR’s Engineering and Information Technology building, features data visualization systems that are among the first of their kind in the world.
These systems, including the trademarked EmergiFLEX and the Mobile EmergiFLEX systems, were custom designed and built for UALR by Mechdyne Corp, a leading provider of visual information technologies headquartered in Marshalltown, Iowa.
UALR officials say the EAC will serve in partnership with business, sciences, healthcare, education, and engineering fields.
The EAC was made possible by a grant of more than $5 million from the George W. Donaghey Foundation. The grant provides funding for a full-time, post-doctoral staff member working in data science, two specialized graduate students, and technical and operational support personnel.
Dr. Mary Good, UALR special advisor to the chancellor for economic development, said that Donaghey Foundation board members understand that advanced data analysis and data visualization are the tools needed now to solve critical problems in all fields.
“The EAC and its potential to positively impact on large and small businesses in Arkansas are critical to our state’s economic growth,” Good said. “It will give all of us a competitive edge and position us for a bright future in the era of big data.”
HOW IT WORKS
Linked through fiber optics to UALR’s Computational Research Center, the facility includes 35 screens and monitors with more than 50 million pixels offering high definition resolution for both 2D and 3D applications.
Unique features include a massive, 24 screen reconfigurable video wall providing 3D data immersion with additional 3D floor projection; the latest haptic interface technology to “touch” the data with force feedback sensations; and advanced video collaboration tools that include new robotic “telepresence” equipment.
The EAC’s goal is to provide competitive, visionary data solutions for the region and state in an academic environment.
According to Good, big data provides the next frontier in discovery, business and society, as more data is produced, stored and analyzed.
New U.S. federal research programs at the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency are aimed at analyzing and using the flood of available information.
“The Emerging Analytics Center is a visionary initiative to capitalize on the growing demand for data-driven solutions in both the public and private sectors,” Gov. Mike Beebe said. “The center will also be an important tool for economic development by helping us target new and expanding industries as we work to create Arkansas jobs.”