Accessibility to cutting edge technology is an important theme to the Holland Research Program. This lab is the first to develop and report protocol for a real-time web-based research program to share innovative technologies [1]. This expansion of distance technology is based on the use of low cost home-built separation instrumentation and Internet based synchronous video communication. Experiments are performed in tandem and are based on real-time interaction between the home lab and distant lab. Results from a 10-week pilot test of web based synchronous communication have been used to foster distance collaboration between the Holland Lab at West Virginia University and the Nesbitt lab (WVU Ph.D. class of 1982) at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland. By removing distance barriers, this program increases the accessibility of knowledge, fosters integrative approaches to scientific research, and brings greater diversity to the WVU program.

1. LA Holland, S Tomechko, A Oommen, AM Leigh, A Bradford, A Burns, “Real-Time Distance Research with IP network Videoconferencing: Extending Undergraduate Research Opportunities”, Journal of Chemical Education , 81, pp.1224-1228 2004.