High Performance Computing for Processing and Analysis of Digitized 3D Models of Cultural Heritage

FAIN: HH-50004-09

University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA 22903-4833)
David Koller (Project Director: July 2008 to September 2012)

Consultation with the staff of the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center on the creation of highly accurate three-dimensional models for the study of art and architecture.

We seek an allotment of CPU hours on DOE supercomputer resources at NERSC in order to process and analyze digitized three-dimensional shape data acquired from cultural heritage objects using laser scanners. The immense size of the scanned datasets and the computationally demanding nature of the geometric processing algorithms requires high performance computing resources in order to efficiently create and study accurate digital 3D models of cultural heritage artifacts. We will apply these processing techniques to previously-acquired raw datasets of culturally valuable objects such as artistic statuary, archaeological artifacts, and historical architecture. Additionally, we seek travel funds to pursue training and consulting at NERSC to aid in adopting our existing processing and analysis algorithms to high performance computing environments.