Sir David King, the UK government's chief scientific adviser.
The new facility will provide scientists from a range of disciplines with the computer power needed to generate and manipulate extremely large datasets, and access to computer scientists who will help in the development of new applications.
One of the first projects will be in high-resolution 3D visualisation. The institute has a large screen for viewing 3D work, as well as a range of 3D desktop displays donated by commercial partners including Kodak, Sharp and ColorLink. These partners will have access to Durham’s expertise in the development of 3D consumer applications including 3D television, 3D games and 3D websites.
Other research projects are concerned with developing better techniques for processing and displaying information, in sectors including the biosciences, medicines and education.
The institute also forms one of the nodes on the UK universities’ high capacity Grid computer network.
“We are in an era where many of the scientific questions that we need to address are too large for a single researcher, university, or often indeed, nation,” said King when he opened the new facility.
“As we try to understand problems such as climate change, or as we try to develop new flu vaccines, we are addressing issues that have impact globally, and that require the bringing together of disparate capabilities and distributed data.”
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