Multiscale Modeling of Materials LabSan Diego State University
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Teaching

Materials courses and student training.

  • ME240: Introduction to Engineering Materials
  • ME241: Materials Lab
  • ME304: Mechanics of Materials
  • ME542: Materials Structure
  • ME640: Nanomaterials
  • ME642: Materials Modeling
ME542: Materials Structure · Chapter 3 interactive demonstration

Seven crystal systems and lattice symmetry

Explore seven crystal systems with rotatable 3D lattice models. Animate inversion and rotational symmetry, compare lattice parameters, and use a ghost image to follow each operation.

Crystal systems3D symmetry operationsNo sign-in required
Open interactive demonstration
ME542: Materials Structure · Diffraction primer video

What is light? A 2,500 year speed run

A three minute cartoon history of light, from Empedocles and Newton to Young, Maxwell, Einstein and the Braggs. It sets up the diffraction chapters with one question: how can a wave reveal the spacing of atoms you cannot see?

Animated video3 min, captionedNo sign-in required
Watch the video
ME542: Materials Structure · Chapter 6 interactive demonstration

BCC crystal rotation and X-ray diffraction

Rotate a BCC crystal and follow the corresponding reciprocal-lattice points, Ewald-sphere intersections, and detector spots. Play, pause, select another reflection, or accumulate diffraction spots in your browser.

Reciprocal latticeEwald sphereNo sign-in required
Open interactive demonstration
ME642: Materials Modeling · MolSSI ACT-CMS Module

Introduction to AI-Molecular Dynamics

A seven-lesson module developed through the MolSSI ACT-CMS program, introducing molecular dynamics, atomistic model construction, LAMMPS, Atomsk, OVITO visualization, and responsible AI/LLM-assisted MD workflows for materials modeling students.

Multi-part module8-12 hoursBeginner programming
Open ACT-CMS Module

Teaching Innovation

CrystalCraft: VR/AR materials learning.

CrystalCraft is an open-source virtual reality application for building atomic models and learning crystal structures at the molecular level. The project turns materials visualization into a calm, creative learning environment developed through an interdisciplinary SDSU student-faculty collaboration.

  • Build atomic models in virtual reality
  • Explore crystal structures at the molecular level
  • Use FCC and HCP examples to support materials instruction
  • Blend materials science, game design, and open-source development
Project siteGitHub repository

Early footage from the user perspective in the CrystalCraft VR environment.

2x2 FCC array
2x2 FCC array
HCP structure
HCP structure
Atom texture
Atom texture
Early demo environment
Early demo environment
CrystalCraft in the VITAL Lab
CrystalCraft in the VITAL Lab
CrystalCraft student and faculty project team

Interdisciplinary SDSU project team

CrystalCraft was created through collaboration across software engineering, game design, mechanical engineering, materials science, 3D modeling, and faculty advising.

Carter Andrews
Carter AndrewsSoftware engineer, web developer, and game designer
Roselynn Conrady
Roselynn ConradyMechanical engineer, content designer, and materials scientist
Patrick Perrine
Patrick PerrineSoftware engineer, game designer, and film maker
Kain Kun
Kain KunProgrammer, graphic artist, and 3D modeler
Wenwu Xu
Wenwu XuSDSU faculty advisor and materials simulation specialist