The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute has established itself as a leader in engineering and research in the areas of scientific computing, scientific visualization, and imaging. The overarching research goal of the SCI Institute is to create new scientific computing techniques, tools, and systems with which to solve problems affecting various aspects of human life. The focus of the Institute has been largely in medicine, but the group has also solved computational and imaging problems in other application areas such as geophysics, chemical engineering, molecular dynamics, aerospace fluid mechanics, combustion, and atmospheric dispersion.

This short film is a visual overview of current research at the SCI Institute. The production was based on an interview with Chris Johnson, the Director of SCI and professor of Computer Science at the University of Utah. Chris takes you on a visionary journey through the exciting territory of High Performance Computing, Science and Visualization. He reveals how Visualization tools are opening new worlds to scientists, and illustrates how top Computer Scientists, Neurosurgeons and Physicists are working together to solve problems that could not have been solved before. The golden age of science is now upon us. Follow Chris and the SCI Institute toward new discoveries in this exciting interview.

This video was produced to enhance a research exhibit showcasing the high performance computing research of the University of Utah and Utah State University for the Supercomputing 2006 Conference in Tampa, Florida. SC06 is the premier international conference on high performance computing, networking and storage.

The University of Utah presented activities of four entities. The Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC), The Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute, The Center for the Simulation of Accidental Fires and Explosions (C-SAFE), and The Center for High Performance Computing at Utah State University (HPC@USU).

When beauty and love become more important than possessions and status, and we hold art in higher regard than war, then we will find peace. " Despite the hunger we cannot possess more than this: Peace in a garden of our own."
-- Alice Walker.

Art Jonez is an Atlanta based photography and design studio owned and operated by head photographer Pieter Seinen, Art Jonez Studios specializes in photography that tells a story. Their work includes urban landscapes, portraits, special studio projects and design for print.

"Grace changes us and change is painful." One writer that invites you to go beyond words is Flannery O'Connor. She wrote ironic, subtly allegorical fiction about deceptively backward Southern characters, usually fundamentalist Protestants, who undergo transformations of character that to O'Connor's thinking brought them closer to the Catholic mind. The transformation is often accomplished through pain, violence, and ludicrous behavior in the pursuit of the holy.

A Good Man is Hard to Find is a 3D animated short film based on the short story of the same title by O'Connor. The script was adapted by Divine Grave Films who turned to Solar Power Design for technical production and engineering. The entire modeling, animation, compositing, editing and sound design pipeline was done in house.

Documentary is a powerful medium for telling stories and encouraging dialogue and civic engagement. The Youth Documentary Arts Program (YDAP) at Spy Hop Productions is a unique program that enables youth to learn the aesthetics, skills, and techniques of documentary production. Young documentarians have the opportunity to explore stories and issues pertinent to youth and adults while developing a variety of skills and abilities. Participants in the program are immersed in the practical and theoretical aspects of documentary work such as story development, the creative process, nonfiction filmmaking styles, camera operation, cinematography, and editing.

The Center of Excellence for Interactive Ray-Tracing and Photo Realistic Visualization is dedicated to the development of tools for interactively visualizing large-scale datasets on the fly with advanced lighting and material models that help users understand the subtle detail in high-fidelity datasets. The Center of Excellence Program (COEP) is funded by the state of Utah to accelerate the commercialization of promising technologies developed at the state's Universities.

This promo for The Center of Excellence features data from The Digital Michelangelo Project that is being ray-traced in real time using The Real-Time Ray-Tracer (pre-cursor to Manta) that is developed at The SCI Institute. The original sculpture was scanned by Marc Levoy's team from Stanford University using laser rangefinder technology, together with algorithms developed at Stanford for combining multiple range and color images, allowing them to reliably and accurately digitize the external shape and surface characteristics of the sculpture.

The Marriott Library Multimedia Center at the University of Utah carries a selection of audio & video sources that they must limit or restrict access to due to the age and condition of the source media. By moving the collection from a analog to digital format, they are able to provide patrons access to restricted material while preserving the original source media. They are also able to offer presentations, discussions, and classroom instruction available to be viewed live or archived.

In response to the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Coalition RFP, Solar Power Design worked with a team of youth apprentices, adult mentors, and community leaders to design a media outreach plan to foster awareness and understanding concerning substance abuse issues faced by the community. The resulting DATCAP Project produced a compelling documentary addressing the issue of drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse in the city.

Based on their research and findings, the design team produced a documentary to be broadcast on community radio stations, streamed on the web, and multi-purposed for radio public service announcements. The hope is that this piece will bring an authentic voice to the topic and a unique teen perspective to local and international audiences.