Download the PDF version of this article as it appeared in Projects in Scientific Computing, 2003.

Formed in 1999, the Super Computing Science Consortium is a regional partnership of research and educational institutions in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. (SC)² provides intellectual leadership and advanced computing and communications resources to solve problems in energy and the environment and to stimulate regional high-technology development.

During the past year, Waynesburg College, a small liberal arts college in Greene County, Pennsylvania, between Pittsburgh and Morgantown, became a new (SC)² partner.

Technologies for Clean, Affordable Power

Since the spring of 2000, a high-speed network — which provided the first fiber-optic service to Morgantown, West Virginia — has linked the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) campuses in Morgantown and Pittsburgh with PSC, facilitating NETL collaborations. Researchers at NETL and West Virginia University have used this high-speed channel to tap the computational resources at PSC for a range of projects involving state-of-the-art simulation technology. This work includes:

• fluidized-bed combustion of silane,
• lean-fuel mixes in next-generation power-generating turbines,
• industrial-scale technology for coal gasification,
• a new design for a power-generating turbine.

In recent work , NETL researchers have used LeMieux, PSC's terascale system, to make significant new progress toward a realistic simulation technology for industrial-scale coal gasification.

Workforce Development & Education

Twenty-seven students from 11 regional colleges presented posters on a range of topics related to technology and computational science.

Economic development for the Pennsylvania and West Virginia region was the central topic of the (SC)² Seminar 2003: Regional Business Opportunities in Supercomputing. This July 14 event at Waynesburg College brought together leaders in technology, business, higher education and government. Participants included over 130 people representing 31 companies, 15 colleges and universities, seven economic-development agencies and six government agencies.

“With the most advanced technological resources, as well as through partnerships with local technology leaders, our Commonwealth’s small businesses will be able to face current challenges, achieve their long-term goals, and set a positive course for the future,” said Pennsylvania governor Edward G. Rendell in a letter commending the (SC)² event.

The (SC)2 Seminar 2003 provided many opportunities for discussion. Bob Romanosky (left), NETL manager of Power Systems Advanced Research, talks with Lynn Layman, (SC)2 co-director.

(SC)² Partners
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Duquesne University
• The Institute for Scientific Research
• The National Energy Technology Laboratory
• The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
• The Pennsylvania State University
• The University of Pittsburgh
• Waynesburg College
• West Virginia University
• The West Virginia Governor's Office of Technology

Sidebars
These will open in a new window.

Mavis: Seeing the Inner Flame

© Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center.