Tools for Visualizing Cuts in Electrical Engineering Education

We study the visualization of electromagnetic (EM) phenomena from an educational perspective. We exploit software and 3-D printing for visualization, and demonstrate their use in enhancing student learning. Our focus is on so-called cuts, which highlight important topological information in EM problems. However, the discussion aims to benefit electrical engineering education in general. This paper emphasizes some higher level learning goals in an undergraduate engineering education that can be realized with existing free tools. The process goes beyond what computer-aided design (CAD) packages will typically teach, and serves as a hands-on learning exercise in software programming and finite-element techniques.

I. Introduction

Visualization is an important means of gaining comprehension, e.g., [1] lists three categories: 1) visual; 2) auditory; and 3) kinesthetic. Visualization of electromagnetic (EM) phenomena includes controversies and challenges. Sometimes illustrations may appear as unintuitive, yet they are correct; sometimes illustrations may feed incorrect understanding. A particular challenge is to depict the features of 3-D EM problems via 2-D illustrations, and when not possible, to articulate the reason for the impossibility.