"Reality Monster" has been unleashed on the University of Utah campus.
The $4.5 million supercomputer will help U. scientists and engineers investigate complex systems such as the human body with real-time, three-dimensional computer images.The U. Visual Supercomputing Center is a joint effort of Silicon Graphics Inc. and the university. Visual supercomputing combines high-performance graphics, computing and data management technology to solve complex research problems.
"The center is part of a carefully orchestrated plan to have a strong, high-performance computing environment to compete for research programs," said Julio Facelli, director of the U.'s Center for High-Performance Computing.
The system, called the SGI "Onyx2 Reality Monster," was installed at the U. in July. It will be used for a research technique called "computational steering," which enables researchers to interact with simulations and direct the solution of biomedical, chemical and engineering problems.
In the past, researchers have worked with several computer programs sequentially to complete simulation experiments. SGI's Reality Monster streamlines the process by controlling all aspects of modeling and simulating with the same program, said Christopher Johnson, U. computer science professor and director of the Center for Scientific Computing and Imaging.
"Our SCIRun (software) computational steering integrates model construction, simulation and visualization into a single environment that streamlines the research process," Johnson said. "Conventional approaches require the repeated use of four or five different applications, an inefficient and time-consuming exercise."
Research already under way includes improving the treatment of severe epilepsy. Using information grafted from an electroencephalogram (EEG) and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the supercomputer can help researchers pinpoint the malfunctioning tissue causing the seizures and find the best way to remove it.
Another research project is focused on helping physicians reduce treatment-related risks for patients with a high propensity for repeated heart attacks.
Richard Koehn, the U.'s vice president for research, said the university advocates interdisciplinary research and the application of research results into "real world solutions."
"By establishing the University of Utah Visual Supercomputing Center in collaboration with Silicon Graphics, the university continues its long tradition of working with industry and reaffirms our commitment to help world-class scientists make an impact beyond academy walls."
The supercomputer was developed by California-based SGI, a leading supplier of high-performance interactive computing systems. The company was co-founded by U. graduate Jim Clark, who also created Netscape Communications Corp. SGI offers a broad range of products in the industry, ranging from desktop workstations to high-end supercomputers.