Welcome to the Molecular Visualization Facility

The Molecular Visualization Facility, also known as MolViz (or MolVis), is a research "facility" in the Department of Chemistry at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana. The hardware of this "virtual" facility consists of Silicon Graphics (SGI) workstations and peripherals owned by the Department of Chemistry in Rooms A400 and in the Chemistry Library. The "virtual staff" of the facility consists of the research faculty and professional staff in various areas of the Technical Services of the Department of Chemistry. While several individuals are listed as the "assigned staff" to the MolViz facility, users are encouraged to contact others as needs require.  The facility assists researchers using workstations and peripherals that are located in research laboratories within the Chemistry Building as well as university resources such as the CAVE immersive virtual reality system.

This MolViz Web site is perhaps the true location of MolViz.  MolViz has no autonomous laboratory space: workstations & peripherals are located in the laboratories of researchers and technical services throughout the Chemistry Building (and elsewhere on campus). Therefore, when you want to visit MolViz, visit this web site.

MolViz Responsibilities include the following:

• Research collaboration with facility users
• Development of facilities and techniques
• Instruction for researchers and course instructors
• Administration of facility policies & procedures

Molecular Visualization

The visualization of molecular structures and chemical data involves more than viewing pictures of molecular models on a computer screen. It also involves data translation to appropriate formats, selection of various visual renderings of 3D objects, stereoscopic 3D visualization in virtual reality, and digital & hardcopy output.

Molecular Modeling

Molecular Modeling extends molecular visualization by generating or manipulating the three dimensional structures and structural properties of molecular models, usually through a graphics-intensive interface.

Chemical Computation

Chemical Computations extend molecular visualization by calculating the three dimensional structures and structural properties of molecular models, usually through a non-graphical interface.

Database Management

Database construction or database searches include commercially-available chemical databases (Cambridge Structural Database, Daylight) and databases developed in the Department of Chemistry (IUMSC Database, Indiana Dynamics Database).

World Wide Web Programming

WWW Programming is developed at MolViz for dynamic, interactive chemical applications.

As always, the MolViz Staff appreciates your suggestions and questions. As you tour this web site, access information, and interact with web applications. Please feel free to send us your comments at any time.