CERN is tapping into the BOINC distributed computing project (which crowdsources computing power to create supercomputer for processing vast amounts of data) to release LHC@Home 2.0. Those who install the client (available here) will lend their spare computing power to help CERN simulate data sets based on theoretical physics models.
LHC@Home had been previously available to a select few within the Physics community who had machines powerful enough to run the simulated experiments. But now, the average new computer is up to the task. The data gleaned from LHC@Home will then give them results they can use to compared to the experimental data reported to them by the LHC in hopes that it will lead to a quicker discovery.
Previously used to try and cure cancer and find aliens, you can now use BOINC’s platform to help solve one of physics’ big mysteries. Will you do it? [LHC@Home via DailyTech]
Image via Lucas Taylor
Anadish Kumar Pal
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 11:01 AMCern sounds quite like the medieval church in some ways. Although, much more benevolent in behaviour. Except may be their cruelty in guzzling up billions of public fund.
Finally, like the Church managed to produce a mammoth global network of Christianity, Cern would succeed in producing a universal ‘Cretinatti’ of persons blowing with the ‘cloud’ and oblivious of their physical existence.
The Church too verified so many physical science facts and indulged in so much of ‘nail pulling’ research in those days; Cern keeps on verifying so much of SM and does merely with a lot of nail biting!
But where is the last piece in the SM puzzle or is it like I Ching says in image 64 (wei ji, before completion)– the ship of the state had almost crossed the ocean when it got sunk and they had to start all over again?
Why not a bit of voodoo and to push in the last piece? Mercifully, our modern folks sound to be a bit more sophisticatedly honest than to attempt that!
Pattus
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 11:59 AMCERNs Annual budget is actually about 600 Million not Billion. The smallest expenditure I could find in the Australian 2011 Budget is 2% for “Community Services and Culture”, this equates to about 7.3 Billion, we will spend about 12 times CERNs budget on this. CERN is also funded by many States and sources so the per Country cost in relation to budget expenditure is minuscule, especially for larger economies than Australia.
I can not answer to any of the following paragraphs as I honestly cannot find any meaning in any of them.
Nathan
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 12:20 PMAnadish, have faith brother, Higgs Boson exists.
Nige
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 12:48 PMShouldn’t we name the “God” particle after someone who actually exists? Just a thought.
Andrew
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 1:07 PM+1 I’d figured most intelligent ppl were wise enough to look past religeon these days.
Afira
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 1:24 PMIt is called the “God” particle due to a scientific book that was published almost 20 years ago.
It was nicknamed that due to the idea that scientists finding this so called most important building block would solve the mysteries of life, the universe, and everything. This isn’t quite true, and it would open up more issues than it would likely solve.
TSH
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 1:41 PMI understand the reason it’s called the “God particle”, but I disagree with it. It fails to describe anything meaningful about the particle’s nature/function, while invoking some kind of supernatural meaning. It’s misleading and confusing.
I for one am looking forward to having a real Internet connection so I can contribute my (quite humble) computing power to the project.
The Joker
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 7:40 PMI used to contribute to BOINC but I found that there was a fundamental flaw in the distributed computing software which has to do with CPU utilization. If for eg you set it to use 50% CPU time it runs at 100% for 50% of the time in short cycles. On the face of it it does work OK, but temperature cycling your CPU tens of thousands of times must have a detrimental effect on the hardware and while I am prepared to pay a higher power bill for the general good of mankind, I’m not prepared to sacrifice the reliability and lifespan of my expensive computer hardware.
Dave
Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 3:17 PMUnless you are regularly exceeding the normal operating temps for your CPU(in which case you have other issues) then you have absolutely nothing to worry about.