The Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS)

Founded in 2009, the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) is a multidisciplinary center that combines advanced simulation techniques with 3D visualization and virtual-reality technologies.

Welcome from the Director

Dr. Chenn Zhou, NIPSCO Distinguished Professor of Engineering Simulation at Purdue University Northwest and Director of CIVS

I am excited to be working with key representatives of the American steel industry to develop and implement innovative technical solutions that help promote efficient steel manufacturing and overcome barriers to industry growth and advancement. The establishment of the Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium provides a venue for industry experts and academics to perform collaborative research on the use of advanced methods of simulation and visualization to address efficiency, reliability, process design, product quality, and other aspects of manufacturing, in a pre-competitive environment. Purdue University Northwest has a long history of working with the steel industry, and this consortium is taking our involvement to a new level. The consortium also offers unprecedented opportunities for our students to learn through direct involvement with steel company representatives and to become acquainted with the employment potential of American manufacturing.

CIVS Goals and Objectives

To collaborate with faculty and staff in developing research and education activities in visualization and simulation by:

Providing technical support to research staff and research assistants
Providing facilities and seed grants
Helping with proposal writing including developing ideas, identifying collaborators, identifying funding sources, organizing and reviewing proposals, and providing supporting letters, etc.
Continuously developing infrastructures and technologies

Acquiring more external funding and grants for the long-term sustainability of CIVS
Maintaining a nationally recognized presence
Providing resources for education, community, and industry outreach
Providing an experiential learning experience to students

CIVS is a globally recognized university research center that uses advanced simulation and visualization techniques and technologies to develop and implement innovative solutions in many areas, such as:

Energy Efficiency

Safety

Production

Facility Planning

Workforce Development

Reliability & Maintenance

Operational Efficiency

Digital Transformation

+ Many More

Utilizing state-of-the-art simulation and virtual technologies to provide innovative solutions to problems in the university, industry and community spaces, CIVS has been globally recognized for its integrated and application-driven approach. Through close partnerships with more than 160 external organizations, CIVS continues to make substantial educational and economic impacts, resulting in over $40 million in savings for collaborators from projects. CIVS staff and students regularly engage in projects that make significant contributions:

416+ Projects

$32+ Million in Research Grants and Contracted Work

$40+ Million in Savings and Cost Avoidance

486+ Technical Papers

170+ External Collaborator Organizations

150+ Purdue Faculty and Staff Collaborators

Partner With Us

With funding support provided by a major AMTech grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Purdue University Northwest, and the CIVS in 2014 spearheaded the launch of a novel, industry-led association of steel manufacturers and stakeholders, now firmly established as the Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium, or SMSVC.

Do you have any ideas on how simulation and visualization can help the community? Are you curious to find out about the current projects CIVS is involved with?

Email [email protected] to provide suggestions or learn more about the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation and how we impact the community.

About Us