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Revolution in teaching: holograms bring molecules to life!
The Justus Liebig University of Giessen presents the HoloDeck project, which uses AR technology for molecular visualizations.
Revolution in teaching: holograms bring molecules to life!
On October 14, 2025, the Justus Liebig University Giessen presented the innovative project “HoloDeck”, which aims to revolutionize the possibilities of augmented reality technology (AR) in the education sector. Under the direction of Dr. According to Michael Weber, an expert at the Institute of Parasitology, the project aims to make complex molecular relationships visually understandable for students and teaching staff.
The HoloDeck leverages both off-the-shelf gaming hardware and custom-developed software to create 3D holograms that can be viewed by multiple users in a multi-person meeting format. The highly efficient use of lightweight stereo projector glasses allows participants to keep both the holograms and their fellow students visible. This technique promotes interactivity and collaborative learning.
Technical details and functionality
The HoloDeck system, which has been officially promoted since February 12, 2025, combines various technical components. It uses the TiltFive AR gaming hardware in combination with Unity's SDK and UCSF's ChimeraX molecular visualization software. This configuration enables the representation of molecular structures that can be viewed in 3D at a workbench.
A central feature of the HoloDeck is the transparent projector glasses, which are connected to a control computer via USB 3.0. These glasses project stereoscopic images, making the holograms visible from different perspectives. With a resolution of 720p, the system ensures clear and precise displays.
Areas of application and future perspectives
The HoloDeck has several areas of application, including research projects and university teaching, as well as regular school lessons. The Richtsberg comprehensive school in Marburg has already purchased systems for its teaching. The use of the HoloDeck in the education sector could be further promoted through the development of free teaching packages for chemistry and biology. From September 30, 2025, the system will also be able to visualize medical MRI and CT data sets.
The next public presentation of the HoloDeck will take place on November 26, 2025 at EduNext25 in Frankfurt. In addition, workshops for JLU students are planned for October 23rd and 30th, 2025, for which registration is possible via the internal platform Stud.IP.
Augmented Reality in Education
The introduction of AR systems like the HoloDeck shows a clear trend towards integrating new technologies in the education sector. That too Erkelenz vocational college applies AR and VR to enrich teaching. AR allows students to actively learn complex concepts and promote creative thinking. Christoph Mones, an educator at the vocational college, develops tailor-made AR applications for interactive lessons.
In line with these trends, the HoloDeck shows the importance of finding innovative solutions for learning. The combination of interactive 3D holograms and AR technology opens up new dimensions of learning and prepares learners for a technology-driven future.