Jan. 13, 2000
Contact: Chris Curran
513-556-1806
chris.curran@uc.edu

Cincinnati -- A consortium of Ohio universities, the Ohio Supercomputer Center and OARnet, has launched a statewide initiative to make the state of Ohio a leader in advanced Internet technologies. The potential of the consortium known as "ITEC-Ohio" was demonstrated Tuesday, Jan. 11 in Columbus with a live surgical procedure and medical consultation completed using the higher speed and higher bandwidth of Internet2 (I2).

"The potential inherent in I2 transmission speeds is not only being tested and investigated by several researchers at UC, it has been taking place for some time now as they create the research environment necessary to support applications not possible at the lower, more unreliable speeds of the 'commodity Internet,'" said Fred Siff, vice president for information technology. "We are not talking of an Internet that will allow faster downloads of movies, or even broad-based distribution of distance learning. I2 is a research community."

There are 158 research universities now on I2, and communications among researchers at these universities are being routinely conducted at I2 speeds. With UC's new networking, these speeds can be delivered to the desktop.

UC was a founding member of the Internet2 consortium and received a $338,000 grant from the National Science Foundation last year to support its connections to the Next Generation Internet and Internet2.

Robert Frank, associate dean for research and advanced studies, has called the new network "a computing Ferrari," and predicted it will open up possibilities for artists as well as scientists and engineers. In fact, Mara Helmuth, an assistant professor in the College-Conservatory of Music, is one of those exploring new uses for the network. Helmuth foresees a day when composers and performers can collaborate or practice together even when they are thousands of miles apart.

"A current project involves people interacting by generating sound with the computer, and listening to and responding to each others' sounds from different Internet2 sites," said Helmuth.

Other faculty involved in Internet2 applications include Harold Carter, professor in electrical and computer engineering and computer science; Kirti Ghia, professor in aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics; Benjamin Britton, associate professor of fine arts; and Thomas Beck, professor of chemistry.

Britton needs the higher speed and capacity to expand development of his "mutual reality" computer simulations which allow multiple users to interact in the same scene, for example, the historic moon landing in 1969. Beck is hoping to simulate something very basic, but nearly impossible to visualize until now the integrated motion of thousands of molecules interacting.

The ITEC-Ohio consortium will help develop these and other technologies that will have a direct impact on lives of Ohioans. Other applications include distance learning, tele-medicine, massive digital libraries, and virtual laboratories, according to state leders.

"The development of Internet2 ... right here in Ohio, should be viewed as a golden opportunity to explore and then cultivate high-tech career opportunities for the new century," said Ohio Board of regents Chancellor Roderick G. W. Chu. "It is now a pleasure for the Ohio Board of Regents to participate with a strong consortium of Ohio organizations as we take a leading position on the national if not international spectrum of technological sophistication," Chu said.

"There is no doubt that technology is the driving force behind the nation's new economy. Projects such as this will help Ohio prepare for the future," said Glenn Brown, Governor Taft's Science and Technology Advisor.

ITEC-Ohio partners include the Air Force Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, Kent State University, OARnet, Ohio Learning Network, OhioLINK, Ohio State University, Ohio Supercomputer Center, Ohio University, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton and Wright State University, as well as corporate partners Qwest and Battelle.

The technologies that ITEC-Ohio develop are expected to become available quickly to the general public including university faculty and students, the health care industry, business community, media outlets, entertainment industry, public libraries and private homes.