NEMAC Hosts First Chocolate Friday

Chocolate Friday is a bi-weekly research and idea sharing event. Each week features presentations from NEMAC staff, University faculty, student researchers, and visiting professionals. The event is open to anyone who is interested in NEMAC and the topics.

And yes, chocolate is served!

The first Chocolate Friday is August 24 and features three presentations on Sustainability:

Sustainability at UNCA: Opportunities for synergies among education, finance, community, and improved campus environmental performance
Dee Eggers, UNCA Faculty, Environmental Studies

A Report Card on Sustainability
Susan Fox, US Forest Service, Southern Research Station

The Sustainability Tsunami
Steve Cochran, Sustainability Strategies

Future Chocolate Fridays will cover other topics:

September 14 Cutting Edge Visualization

September 28 Arts Scene

October 26 The Day After Yesterday: A Look at Different Aspects of Weather

November 16 GIS Day: A Local Celebration

December 7 Biosphere

WHERE: The Chamber of Commerce

36 Montford Ave , Asheville 28801

WHEN: 3:00-5:00 on Fridays
(check the schedule for upcoming days)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Susan Weatherford (250-3890)
Here's a flyer you can download and hang in your office.

NEMAC Shows Renci-Asheville Site for Visualization

On August 22, NEMAC employees showcased the high-tech visualization tools available at the Renci-Asheville engagement site located on the AB-Tech campus in Enka, NC. The tools were presented as part of an event sponsored by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina.

One tool shown was an Applied Visualization Wall. This wall is a giant 'movie screen' measuring 15 feet long by 7.5 feet wide. The wall uses two rear projectors to display multiple applications, data sources, and web pages. The wall is a powerful tool for decision makes to lay out and view more information than can be shown on a standard PC screen. The VizWall is shown below; click the image to expand.



Another tool highlighted was an Immersive Dome. The dome is an inflatable, portable projection environment providing an 180 degrees view. The dome display mimics the human 3D, peripheral vision, creating a 'you are there' experience. The dome is a valuable tool for visualizing the human impact on landscapes and for displaying what-if scenarios for use in land use planning and natural hazard response and mitigation. The Dome is shown below; click the image to expand.