Virtual-reality molecules bend, flex, and wiggle

Researchers developed a virtual-reality system that enables chemists to interact with flexible, 3-D molecular models. ↓↓More info and references below↓↓ The system combines consumer virtual-reality hardware with cloud-based molecular simulations to enable up to six chemists to manipulate molecules as though they are tangible objects. In tests of the system, the researchers found that users could complete molecular tasks faster in the VR environment than by using conventional interfaces like a computer mouse or a touch screen. The researchers say they hope the system will help researchers working on drug development, synthetic biology, and catalyst design. Try your own molecular simulation at Read more: Sampling molecular conformations and dynamics in a multiuser virtual reality framework | Science Advances Will chemists tilt their heads for virtual reality? | C&EN