UCL Deal to Archive Cultural Artifacts Via 3-D Scanning

The University College London (UCL) and a developer of three-dimensional color scanning technology formed an alliance to scan artifacts in the university’s Petrie Museum as part of a digital archiving project. The firm, Arius3D, is the exclusive licensee of the technology, originally developed by the National Research Council of Canada. The system was recently used by the Musee du Louvre in Paris to complete research on Leonardo da Vinci’s portrait of Mona Lisa.

The Arius3D system is considered the only three-dimensional measurement system that simultaneously captures color and geometry from real world objects. The process is not affected by ambient light, so it provides the most accurate and precise image possible. Once an object’s image is captured, it can be redeployed in multiple resolutions and file formats.

The deal calls for UCL professors Bernard Buxton, Dr. Stuart Robson, and Sally MacDonald, director of UCL Museums and Collections, to work with Arius3D on collaborative projects, including scanning UCL Petrie Museum artifacts, as well as other scanning at UCL in the heritage, engineering, medical, and dental sectors.

Prof. Bernard Buxton and Dr Stuart Robson say the agreement will allow the team to help set international standards and best practice for 3D laser technology...

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ASU, Canon Deal Envisions 'Sustainable Digital University'

Arizona State University has formed a partnership with Canon Inc. to build what it calls a “Sustainable Digital University” by creating a new university standard for digital document management and handling.

The copier and camera giant will help the university build a digital print management program across its campuses and upgrade its existing copy centers with Canon copiers. Canon will also open a “digital showroom” on ASU’s Tempe campus and use Arizona State as a test laboratory for new Canon technologies.

ASU vice president and chief technology officer Adriain Sannier called the deal, “a unique opportunity to create a sustainable digital environment that effectively facilitates the creation and use of knowledge and capitalizes on the power of information technology to meet the educational and business needs of today and tomorrow.”...

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