Mines supercomputer will boost energy-related research

$400K National Science Foundation funding makes High Performance Computing facility a reality

GOLDEN, Colo. , July 10, 2007 – Colorado School of Mines will expand its focus on developing new methods to meet the world's energy needs thanks to the establishment of a High Performance Computing (HPC) facility made possible by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The $400,000 NSF funding, in addition to $750,000 from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and $1 million from the School, will allow the $2.15 million project to be completed by late fall.

The HPC facility will be managed by the Golden Energy Computing Organization (GECO) — a partnership consisting of Mines faculty and researchers from NREL and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. This consortium will promote activities crossing disciplinary lines and fostering links between education, scientific inquiry and industrial pursuits. The facility will bring scientists and engineers together to cover a broad spectrum of energy-related research.

Consistent with Mines' mission to foster curricula and research geared toward responsible stewardship of the earth and its resources, the facility will enable faculty and students to investigate eight primary challenge topics:

• Characterization of hydrocarbon deposits
• Hydrate nucleation and growth
• Biomass energy conversion
• Photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen
• Next generation polymer batteries
• Ultracold designer solid state systems
• Prediction of climate change due to CO2 emissions
• Carbon sequestration

Additionally, a multi-faceted outreach program has been established to maximize the benefit of the GECO facility to underrepresented groups. Salish Kootenai College , on the Flathead Indian Reservation will be a partner and the Mines chapter of the Society for Women Engineers will be given special training and research opportunities.