The EVASION team of Laboratoire Jean Kuntzmann (CNRS, INPG, INRIA, UJF, UPMF) was created on January, 1st 2003 (then in GRAVIR laboratory). In november 2007 it gathers seven faculties, thirteen PhD students, four post-docs or visitors and four engineers. Its research topics are dedicated to modeling, animating and visualizing natural objects and phenomena. For this, two main research axes are developed: First, the development of fundamental tools for specifying complex natural scenes and objects, for tuning alternate representations for shape, motion and appearance, and for building algorithms lying on adaptive level of details for managing complexity optimally. Second, the validation of these tools on specific natural scenes, from mineral world (ocean, rivers, lava, avalanches, clouds) to animal world (simulation of organs, characters faces body and hairs, moving animals), passing through vegetal scenes (morphogenesis of plants, prairies, trees).
		Interaction between the user and virtual models is at the heart of ALCOVE's activity. A primary area of research concentrates on modeling deformable objects with the capacity to manage interactions between the objects as well as with a user. We are developing an Open Source software named SOFA that can simulate fluid, rigid, articulated and deformable objects in a unified framework. Objects’ motion and interaction with other objects are computed in real-time, such that a user can interactively manipulate these objects, using dedicated devices such as force-feedback systems. This research is primarily oriented towards the field on medical simulation with the objective to provide new means of training surgeons and planning complex procedures. To meet this goal, the ALCOVE project-team places great importance in validating and identifying models. The second research channel is focused on interaction metaphors and tools. The ALCOVE team is working on collaborative virtual environments that make it possible for several people to interact on objects. The research especially targets the remote representation of users and their actions.
		The Asclepios project has three main objectives: Analysis of Biomedical Images with advanced geometrical, statistical, physical and functional models Simulation of Physiological Systems with Computational Models built from biomedical images Application of previous tools to Medicine and Biology to assist prevention, diagnosis and therapy
		MOAIS focuses on the programming of applications where increasing the number of resources is a key to improve performance: beyond the optimization of the application itself, the effective use of a larger number of resources is expected to enhance the performance. This encompasses large scale scientific interactive simulations (e.g. immersive virtual reality) that involve various resources: input (sensors, cameras, ...), computing units (processors, memory), output (videoprojectors, images wall) that play a prominent role in the development of high performance parallel computing.
		The Biomedical Imaging Team at CSIRO develops new methods and software for characterising diseases from medical images, and for the training and planning of computer assisted interventions. On-going projects cover a wide range of imaging modalities (Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, Computerised Tomography, ultrasound, optical imaging) and aim at fusing anatomical, functional and molecular information. Our approach is to embed into image processing algorithms expert knowledge from physiology, biology, pathology, and the physics of the imaging acquisition. We are developing novel shape, signal, and anatomical models at different levels: body, organ, and tissue. Main applications include surgical simulation, neuroimaging, radiotherapy planning and small animal imaging. Current work in medical simulation focuses on a colonoscopy training system for novices and to improve the skills of experienced gastroenterologists for performing colonoscopy. The colonoscopy simulator allows navigation through, and interaction with a 3D colon, generated from a large database of patient CT scans. It includes a haptic device for force feedback and adjustable realistic biomechanical models of the colon, whose complexity in geometry and pathology can be tailored to suit training needs.
		The Simulation Group @ CIMIT is creating high-tech machinery to use in training medical practitioners and caregivers. Patient care provided will be safer, whether it is provided by the battlefield medic, the hospital resident, or the experienced surgeon learning a new procedure. The Simulation group's work has created a suite of training prototypes. Although its support comes from the Department of Defense, they have designed each system for maximal use capability to increase the impact across the healthcare continuum to include civilians as well; the team has created prototypes for both combat casualty care and dual use trainers for non-traumatic conditions, including: VIRGIL, a chest trauma training system for combat medics, teaches proper care of tension pneumothorax, hemothorax and pneumothorax, using realistic anatomy in a visually advanced training curriculum. CELTS, a laparoscopic skills training system, was the first system to use integrated metrics derived from actual surgical practice and produce a meanigful performance assessment. EVE (under development), a physics-based endovascular simulator for training in the treatment of stroke and other intracranial vascular events. COMETS (under development), an autonomous, ruggedized, self-powered waterproof full body trauma training system that responds to user actions with continuos feedback. The SIM Group continues to draw upon multidisciplinary expertise to design and develop medical simulators. Their work makes possible a new era of medical practice when students, residents, and physicians will practice medicine without putting patients at risk.

SOFA project - (C) INRIA, MGH, ... 2007, 2008