MRI: Acquisition of a Beowulf cluster for use in research and research training

Oberlin College, Oberlin OH

Investigators

Abstract

With support from the Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program, the Department of Chemistry at Oberlin College will acquire a Beowulf cluster. This equipment will enhance research in a number of areas including a) electronic structure calculations of preferential salvation around peptides; b) quantum chemical ab initio calculations of the atmospheric oxidation mechanisms of hydrocarbons; c) development of algorithms for multiple whole-genome alignments; d) studies of pulsar scintillation; and e) the development of new models of propagation of electromagnetic waves through turbulent ionized plasmas. A cluster of fast, modern computer workstations is vital to serving the computing needs of active research departments. Such a "computer network" also serves as a development environment for new theoretical codes and algorithms, provides state-of-the-art graphics and visualization facilities, and supports research in state-of-the-art applications of parallel processing. These studies will have a significant impact in a wide number of areas, including biochemistry, space physics and environmental chemistry.