Source: http://www.purdueexponent.org/index.php/module/Section/section_id/18?module=article&story_id=6294

Research team receive threats after releasing 9/11 simulation

By Mikel Livingston

Publication Date: 06/27/07

The research team behind a scientifically rendered 3-D animation of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center is beginning to experience the effects of its 2 1/2 year project – not all of which is positive.

The animation, which depicts the crash of American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower, was placed on Purdue's Department of Computer Science Web site in early April and has since garnered nationwide media attention from CNN.com and NBC news.

"It is not easy to see the tragedy in such vivid detail," said Christoph Hoffmann, a computer science professor and a lead researcher for the project. "But (the animation) has generated a lot of debate, which is positive."

But, as the team has since found, there is a darker side to success.

JPG Photo: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/uploads/popescu-animation.jpg

A team of researchers from Purdue has created a scientifically based video animation of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The animation shows that the façade of the World Trade Center north tower provided little resistance to the aircraft used in the attack. The visualization of the attacks will help civil engineers develop buildings that are more resistant to terrorists, the researchers say. (Purdue University image/Voicu Popescu)

Source: http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_58971.shtml

Scientifically Based Animation of 9/11 Attack

By: Purdue University

Published: Jun 13, 2007 at 07:26

Although most Americans believe they know what brought down the World Trade Center twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001, civil engineers are still seeking answers to questions that could save lives in the future.