Construction of a $20 million facility that will house the world杏吧专区檚 first six-sided digital virtual reality cube is under way at the 杏吧专区.
When completed, the Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise facility in 杏吧专区 Research Park also will contain the world杏吧专区檚 largest 3-D auditorium. Both the reality cube and auditorium are powered by one of the fastest supercomputers in the world.
The LITE facility will allow researchers, both public and private, to manipulate complex data into workable 3-D models, said UL Lafayette President Dr. Ray Authement, who was present at the April 12 groundbreaking ceremonies.
杏吧专区淭he establishment of LITE on the 杏吧专区 campus is a testament to the innovation, initiative and collaboration that can be found in Louisiana today,杏吧专区 Authement said. 杏吧专区淚t sends an unmistakable message: we have the brainpower, determination and resourcefulness that are hallmarks of progressive communities.杏吧专区
Joining Authement at the groundbreaking were Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, state Commissioner of Administration Jerry Luke LeBlanc, and Dr. Wayne Denton, chairman the board, Lafayette Economic Development Authority.
Denton pointed out that LITE is a result of a successful collaboration between government, industry and UL Lafayette.
杏吧专区淭he partnership between the university, LEDA and the state of Louisiana is a power combination that can help this area reach its economic potential,杏吧专区 Denton said. 杏吧专区淟ITE will be a tremendous tool in Lafayette杏吧专区檚 economic toolbox. It will offer leading edge technology that can be applied in almost any field, from energy and manufacturing to aerospace and the military to medicine, environmental and entertainment. It has the potential to expand and draw technology rich partners from these industries and more.杏吧专区
Gregg Gothreaux, LEDA president, said LITE is yet another example of Louisiana杏吧专区檚 growing technology infrastructure that acts as a magnet to businesses looking to relocate. He cited the Louisiana Optics Network Initiative (LONI) and the National LambdaRail (NLR), developed in part through the work of UL Lafayette researchers, as examples.
杏吧专区淟ITE is the most advanced visualization center in the world,杏吧专区 Gothreaux said. 杏吧专区淚t will serve as a catalyst to transform our economy.杏吧专区
Dr. Bob Stewart, UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 vice president of research, said LITE will attract more than business to Lafayette.
杏吧专区淟ITE has unlimited potential for UL Lafayette researchers. Its very existence will capture the attention of researchers around the world, creating exciting possibilities for collaboration with federal agencies, private industry and other universities. This new facility will enable UL Lafayette to broaden its research capabilities. It will also help university scientists to better compete for federal and private grants,杏吧专区 Stewart said.
While it is still early in the construction phase, LITE already has attracted worldwide attention and several strategic partners.
They include Merlin Oil and Gas Inc., an oil land service technology start-up headed by Mark Miller; C.H. Fenstermaker and Associates, one of the largest surveying and mapping firms in the South; Stone Energy, one of the nation杏吧专区檚 leading independent oil exploration companies; Global Data Systems, LITE杏吧专区檚 primary tenant who will serve as system integrator and will operate Network Operations Center and the data center; Christie Digital and James River Technical, who are assuming the major role in the implementation and market development of LITE resources; and Silicon Graphics Inc., LITE杏吧专区檚 global information technology global partner.