The Center for Advanced Computing Research (CACR) exists to ensure that Caltech is at the forefront of computational science and engineering (CS&E). CS&E is the practice of computer-based modeling, simulation, and data analysis for the study of scientific phenomena and engineering designs. Computer modeling and simulation makes it possible to investigate regimes that are beyond current experimental capabilities and to study phenomena that cannot be replicated in laboratories, such as the evolution of the universe. The results often suggest new experiments and theories. Computation is also essential for processing the flood of high-dimensional data generated by modern instruments. In engineering, many more design options can be explored through simulation than by building physical models, usually at a fraction of the cost and time.

CACR provides an environment that cultivates multidisciplinary collaborations. CACR researchers take an application-driven approach to CS&E, and currently work with Caltech research groups in applied mathematics, astronomy, biology, engineering, geophysics, and experimental physics.

Center staff have expertise in data-intensive scientific discovery, physics-based simulation, scientific software engineering, visualization techniques, novel computer architectures, and the design and operation of large-scale computing facilities. An example facility is the Shared Heterogeneous Cluster (SHC). SHC is easily expandable and currently provides over a teraflops of computing power for Caltech's ASC, turbulent mixing, and numerical relativity communities. CACR also participates in national level initiatives such as the TeraGrid: the largest and most comprehensive infrastructure ever deployed for CS&E research.

Feb 2006