Abe, Dave, and Jongmin rendered this amazing picture of an ice cave (complete with intrepid, snake-hating explorer). Dave generated the ice volumes using a formation and erosion simulation, Abe created an extensive previsualization pipeline, and Jongmin implemented volumetric photon mapping.
Ling implemented a bidirectional texture function for cloth materials, and extended it to add support for analytic self-shadowing.
Shiwei and Loren used solid textures and subsurface scattering to render frosty popsicles.
Zach implemented a system for automatic spider web generation and then simulated wavelength dependent refraction through the web's threads.
Soowoung implemented a smoothed particle hydrodynamic fluid simulation and a tuned transmissive material model to capture the splash of wine in a glass.
Daniel and Ming rendered the sun, with separate models for the photosphere, chromosphere, corona, and coronal ejection loops.
David simulated the human visual system with myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, and then used a prescription-based lens model to correct the system's vision.
Daniel and Salik modeled and rendered an oil refinery, using a ray marching technique to account for heat blur and volumetric photon mapping to account for smoke..
Adam and Filip rendered a space scene with relativistic effects, including light bending due to gravity, and abberation and Doppler shift to due the camera moving at relativistic speeds.
Shireesh used radiosity and light shafts to render a picture of a tree in a cave.
Avi and Jon simulated and rendered a waterfall with surface, spray, and mist effects.
Johnny used a 3D texture model to render the fur on the surface of a tennis ball.