Issue 118 June/July 2011 CONTENTS
Laboratory and Statistical Science News and products
Food for thought
Beth Sharp explores the application of software solutions within the food and beverage industry
Industry Comment
Mike Sanders, from GenoLogics Life Sciences Software, explains why next-generation genomics labs need software that offers both confi guration and customisation
A healthy approach to data analysis Felix Grant turns his attention to the topic of epidemiological statistics
High-Performance Computing News and products
‘Fat’ workstations morphing into deskside clusters
How do we take advantage of desktop systems developed by HPC manufacturers? Paul Schreier discovers
Innovation centre opens
Paul Schreier reports on the opening of the world’s fi rst Microsoft Innovation Center for Technical Computing
ISC’11 preview
The International Supercomputing Conference will be returning to Hamburg on 19 June 2011. Here are a few highlights
Facing the future Adapting to new HPC architectures brings a host of challenges. Beth Sharp investigates
Modelling and Engineering News and products
Cover feature: Visual insights
Scientifi c visualisation software not only helps clarify what we’ve discovered; a good image can also uncover new insights, as Paul Schreier discovers
Drilling down
Experts discuss the role that modelling software plays in the oil and gas industry
Resources Diary dates
Suppliers’ directory Inside view
EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Editor Beth Sharp
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Specialist Reporters Felix Grant, Paul Schreier Circulation/readership enquiries Viv Ruskin
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Advertising Sales Darren Ebbs Tel: +44 (0)1223 211 180 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211 107
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www.scientific-computing.com
48 49 50
Fax: +44 (0)1223 574 817
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CORPORATE TEAM
Chairman and Publisher Dr Tom Wilkie Publishing Director Warren Clark Web
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SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registration is available to qualifying individuals. Register online at
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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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Heading to Hamburg
Taking place between 19 and 23 June, the International Supercomputing Conference (ISC’11) is returning to Hamburg, Germany, once more. Now in its 26th year, the conference will gather together professionals working within high-performance computing to discuss the issues, examine the next generation of software and hardware, and network with colleagues from across the globe. A comprehensive programme that includes the HPC Advisory Council European Workshop, research sessions, panel debates and a broad list of exhibitors – Scientifi c Computing World will be at booth 705 – confi rm why this is Europe’s main event for the HPC community. HPC has been an integral part of
Scientifi c Computing World for many years – something that is refl ected in our dedicated HPC Projects website (
www.hpcprojects.com) and regular email newsletters. Our expanding coverage features topics such as heterogenous computing, task management, and recruiting and developing HPC staff, in addition to industry comments and exclusive articles; Paul Schreier reports on the establishment of the world’s fi rst Microsoft Innovation Center for Technical Computing (p.25). To subscribe for free to the magazine, SCNewsline and HPCNewsline, visit
www.scientifi
c-computing.com/subscribe.
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.
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Cover image by Dean Farrow
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