Physically-Based Animations
A third major research theme of Prof. Gross is concerned with the design of algorithms for physically based modeling. In the early and mid 90s, he started research on physically-based modeling for medical applications and computer games. He investigated FEM methods for the representation of soft tissue, for deformation, collision, fracture, fluids, and for other effects. His early work on full 3D finite element simulations of facial surgery was pioneering, and subsequent investigation into challenging realtime 3D soft tissue cutting algorithms provided practical methods which contributed to the foundation of the startup Cyfex. In addition, Gross has developed numerous algorithms for the physically-based animation of material effects such as fracturing, as well as stable, realtime deformations, work which contributed to technology foundational to NVIDIA's PhysX engine via the startup Novodex. Further of his research has been geared towards meshless simulation of physical effects. This work is closely related to point-based representations and avoids the costly computation of a FEM mesh for numerical simulations. His research has also produced significant advancements in fluid simulation, notably the development of the award-winning Wavelet Turbulence technique, which revolutionized high-resolution fluid effects (like smoke and explosions) for the visual effects industry and earned a Technical Achievement Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2012. Furthermore, reflecting the field's evolution, his research increasingly integrates Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning with numerical simulation, for instance, developing novel style-transfer techniques for fluid animation used in feature films.