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Issue 116 February/March 2011 CONTENTS


Laboratory and Statistical Science News and products


At your service


With unique requirements, CROs need an informatics solution up to the task. Beth Sharp explores the options


Interview


Founder and director of phaseFour Informatics, John Trigg, discusses the informatics issues currently facing labs


Cover feature: Here comes the sun


The application of statistical software is aiding of understanding of solar phenomena, as Felix Grant discovers


High-Performance Computing News and products


HPC comment


Jody Egginton, chief engineer at Team Lotus, explains the impact high- performance computing has had on Formula 1


How cool are supercomputers?


Paul Schreier investigates the progress manufacturers of computer systems are making in reducing power consumption


On the road to exascale Will we reach exascale computing power within the next decade? Industry experts give their opinions


Modelling and Engineering News and products


Blowing down the barriers to wind energy


Paul Schreier examines how renewable energy companies are taking advantage of the latest technological aids


A model example of chemistry


Beth Sharp fi nds out how chemical modelling software tools affect the way chemists approach their work


Resources Diary dates


Suppliers’ directory Inside views


EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM


Editor Beth Sharp editor.scw@europascience.com


Specialist Reporters Felix Grant, Paul Schreier Circulation/readership enquiries Viv Ruskin viv@europascience.com


ADVERTISING TEAM


Advertising Sales Darren Ebbs Tel: +44 (0)1223 211 180 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211 107 darren.ebbs@europascience.com


Advertising Production Jennie Caley Tel: +44 (0)1223 477 411


www.scientific-computing.com


Fax: +44 (0)1223 574 817 jennie.caley@europascience.com


CORPORATE TEAM


Chairman and Publisher Dr Tom Wilkie Publishing Director Warren Clark Web www.scientifi c-computing.com


SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registration is available to qualifying individuals. Register online at www.scientifi c-computing.com Subscriptions £100 a year for six issues to readers outside registration requirements. Single issue £20. Orders to ESL, SCW Circulation, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 211 170. Fax: +44 (0)1223 211 107. ©2011 Europa Science Ltd. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not


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4 Moving forward 8


The pace of development in scientifi c computing is accelerating. Some of this results from the traditional ‘pull’ of consumer demand, as scientists and engineers try to align their virtual models ever more closely with the real world and attempt to crunch ever larger datasets. But there has also been a ‘push’ from developments in computing technology itself – for example, with multicore chips and GPUs. From statisticians to structural


engineers, and from quality control chemists to designers of racing cars, professionals working in science and engineering rely heavily on these advances. But how do they keep up? For more than 18 years, Scientifi c


Computing World has delivered in-depth features, breaking news, product reviews, industry opinion, and more. Computing is pervasive in science, engineering and medicine, and this has been refl ected in our deliberate choice of broad editorial coverage. Filtered into the key channels of Laboratory and Statistical Science, High-Performance Computing (HPC), and Modelling and Engineering, we aim to offer readers the most pertinent information in a distinct and easy-to- navigate format. For even more information, visit


www.scientifi c-computing.com, subscribe to our free newslines and follow us on Twitter @scwmagazine.


Beth Sharp


the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifi cally stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by Europa Science Ltd, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication.


US copies: Scientifi c Computing World (ISSN 1356-7853/ USPS No 018-753) is published bi-monthly for £100 per year by Europa Science Ltd, and distributed in the USA by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Rd, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville PA. Postmaster: Send address corrections to Scientifi c Computing World PO Box 437, Emigsville, PA 17318-0437.


Subscribe for free at www.scientific-computing.com/subscribe FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 3


Cover image Shutterstock


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