MRI: Acquisition of a PC Cluster, High Performance Pan American Cluster (HiPAC)

The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg TX

Investigators

Abstract

Proposal #: CNS 10-40430 PI(s): Chu, Jul; Ahn, Seokyoung; Cunningham, Mark; Kumar, Sanjeev; Yoon, Jasang Institution: University of Texas - Pan American Title: MRI: Acquisition of a PC Cluster, High Performance Pan American Cluster (HiPAC) Project Proposed: This project, building a high-performance parallel computing instrument for numerical and network simulations, aims to support the following research projects: - Reducing simulation time for uniprocessor and multiprocessor systems; - Parallel sparse matrix solution using multi-core cluster with applications in analogue and digital VLSI systems; - Biochemical computations with parallel numerical simulations; - Future Internet switch architecture simulations and protocol validations; - Investigation of the mixing behavior of the nano-particles in a polymer-based binder system for powder injection molding applications; and - Quantum chemistry simulations on biomolecular active sites. The proposed cluster, called High Performance Pan American Cluster (HiPAC), will be used by multiple scientists at the University of Texas-Pan American (UTPA), a predominantly a Hispanic institution. Broader Impacts: The instrument enables research in a minority serving institution that contains an 88% Hispanic and a 63% female population. The project involves student training in multi-core cluster technologies, including software and hardware parallelization. Moreover, student training encourages undergraduates to join graduate studies.