ThermoVR: A Virtual Laboratory to Enhance Learning in Undergraduate Thermodynamics

An interactive Virtual Reality (VR) based simulator is being used as part of a virtual laboratory activity with undergraduates in mechanical engineering to help them learn key thermodynamics principles. This virtual laboratory is designed to enhance the success rate of students grappling with the challenging array of thermodynamic property relationships. At the core of this laboratory is a simulation of the IAPWS-95 and IAPWS-97 equation of state. The simulator visualizes these phenomena using the ubiquitous example of a piston-cylinder system as well as a 3D plot. This design affords input in terms of relatable processes such as adding a heater or a weight to a system and visualizes the results of the various processes (isothermal, isentropic, etc.) in terms of observable changes to the piston-cylinder system as well as movement of the state within a 3D plot. Constant property lines, such as isotherms, isentropes, or isenthalps allow students to also survey the minimal or dramatic changes in any of the properties during such a process. This report presents features of the fully operating virtual labratory and presents observations from its initial use with students in their undergraduate introductory thermodynamics course.