MRI-R2: Acquisition of an Integrated Instrument for Computational Research and Education

University Of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR

Investigators

Abstract

This proposal will be awarded using funds made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5), and meets the requirements established in Section 2 of the White House Memorandum entitled, Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds, dated March 20, 2009. As the cognizant Program Officer, I also affirm that the proposal does not support projects described in Section 1604 of Division A of the Recovery Act. Proposal #: 09-59124 PI(s): Apon, Amy W.; Cothren, Jackson, D.; El-Shenawee, Magda O.; Pulay, Peter; Spearot, Douglas E. Institution: University of Arkansas Title: MRI-R2/Acq.: Acq. of an Integrated Instrument for Computational Research and Education Project Proposed: This project, acquiring an integrated supercomputing platform for distributed and shared memory parallel applications that are computationally, data, and storage intensive, aims to service a broad range of projects in computational science and engineering. The work potentially expands the capability to do computational research in Arkansas by an order of magnitude. The supercomputer requested would be used principally in the areas of computer science, computational chemistry, computational biomagnetics, mechanical engineering, geosciences, and spatial science. It also benefits researchers in integrated nanoscience, astrophysics, bioinformatics, large scale optimization, video analysis, and network topology. Broader Impacts: The proposed cluster will be the primary high-end computing platform for research and educational activities for the University and for the state. The geosciences projects have substantial commercial potential and particular significance for the economic development in Arkansas. The proposal includes a significant outreach and an educational component targeted to undergraduate students. In addition, the project contains training activities targeted to faculty who teach undergraduate students at many institutions of the eleven four-year institutions of higher education in Arkansas.