We were glad to welcome U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly to Penn State Behrend for a tour of VAR Lab. Rep. Kelly met with our Director, Dr. Christopher Shelton, and our student researchers, who showed him the first free, high-resolution digital twin of the Liberty Bell.
Our team created the digital twin in partnership with the National Park Service at Independence National Historical Park. The scans combine laser-line scanning, LiDAR, structured-light scanning, and photogrammetry to capture fine surface details, including the bell’s famous 1846 crack and the pitting in its bronze. The data can guide repairs or replicas if the bell or its mount is ever damaged, and it supports school and museum programs and virtual reality access for people who can’t visit Philadelphia.
Read Penn State’s story on the project: Penn State Behrend team works with National Park Service to preserve Liberty Bell
Thank you to Rep. Kelly for making the trip, and to Penn State Behrend for sharing the visit.
