Purdue University

Ken Newton uses computer simulations of ions (charged atoms) to optimize techniques used in studying their structure. Ions are essential to life and important in everything from plant growth to water movement in the human body.

Newton models millions of ions one ion at a time, so the more computer processors he can throw at the problem, the better. Enter DiaGrid, a Purdue system for harnessing idle computers in offices, student computer labs, supercomputing centers and, this week, on the show floor at the world’s largest supercomputing conference.