27. March 2025 – Tobias Bräuer

An interactive look into organic chemistry: ChemieVR in the Mixed Reality Space of our University Library

It is now possible to examine different kinds of organic molecules within our university library – completely without the help of microscopes, additional computers or physical models. Similar to the words of Jules Verne: “Anything capable of being imagined will one day be made reality.”

Use of VR headsets within science teaching

Students of the Applied Natural Science programme were able to freely explore the virtual molecule museum while answering questions from their tutor about structure, synthesis and use of the respective organic molecules. This all happened during a tutorial lesson on Organic Chemistry.

How the “ChemieVR” app came into being

The programming part of this particular VR app was mainly managed by PhD students from our Department of Computer Science. Apart from including intuitive manipulation methods for the virtual objects and means of navigation within the virtual museum, the main focus of the app’s implementation lays in avoiding so-called “motion sickness”, which is similar to getting seasick, but within VR.

Considering the app’s content our scientists from the Department of Organic Chemistry delivered the “business logic”. For reasons of better clarity, the “ball-and-stick model” is used to represent the different molecules.

And how does that work in detail?

Within the ChemieVR app you can freely interact with all available molecule models. That means: By using the VR controllers you are able to grab any molecule on display and rotate/move them in any direction you want. How this might look shows the following GIF animation:

Animation, welches die Manipulation eines Vanillinmolekül zeigt

In contrast to real (i.e., physical) molecule models you are able to “throw” those anywhere you want. After restarting the application every molecule is back at its place.

On the pedestals you can find question mark-buttons that are displaying further information on the respective substances. This way things like structure formulas, occurrence, manufacturing and application areas can be made visible.

Ansicht, welches das Coffein-Molekül mitsamt Informationstafel zeigt.

About the Mixed Reality Space

Our university library’s working group “Mixed Reality“ offers the utilisation of the “Mixed Reality Space”. Interested students and researchers alike are welcome to use our VR headsets (Pico 4E) to dive into all kinds of virtual scenarios.

These and other apps can be used by any registered library user – no matter if it’s individually or in small groups respectively during a lesson or research. Only prerequisite would be the one-time participation for a VR beginner course. VR headsets can be borrowed – their usage is limited to the confines of the Bibliotheks- und Hörsaalzentrum building. Upcoming appointments will be displayed on the website of the university library.

10. November 2023 – Heike Schwarz

Returning media made easy with the automatic return machine

In the foyer, opposite the café, there is a new return machine where borrowed media can be returned quickly and contactlessly.

A student or library card is not required when returning items.

The media must be inserted individually. The titles booked are confirmed on the touchscreen and the respective library account is immediately credited. Returns can be acknowledged with a return receipt if required.

Interlibrary loans and large-format media are excluded from the return process.
These must be returned to the circulation desk on the second floor. It is also still possible to return all other borrowed media at the circulation desk.

09. October 2023 – Heike Schwarz

What else is new with us?

  • Regalfront gegenüber des Ausleih- und Informationsbereiches / Shelf front opposite the lending and information area

A large shelf front stretches across from the lending and information area and can boast new services.

Most workstations are equipped with electricity, yet we also offer 64 lockable compartments for charging laptops, tablets or smartphones.
The locker key is charged to the user account when it is issued at the circulation desk. The loan period is two calendar days and cannot be extended.

Media that are ready to be picked up and have been reserved by you no longer have to be picked up at the circulation desk. For this purpose, there is now the self-collection shelf, right next to the stacks.
The media are sorted according to the respective user number and can be borrowed directly at the self-check-out terminals even after our service hours.

The printed daily newspapers have also found their new place on the shelf. With a view of the greenery, these can be read on the spot, in the newly furnished reading corner.
Older issues can be requested from colleagues at the circulation desk or information desk.

On this shelf we also offer discarded literature, which is no longer current, for a small price. If you are interested in buying these media, you can pay at the counter and then take them with you.