Cluster of video games maps brain

September 25, 2007

Four college students have devised a way to use a cluster of Sony PLAYSTATION3 video game consoles, for large-scale modeling of the human brain. Their design won them first place – and $10,000 – in IBM’s Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) Processor University Challenge.

Nearly 80,000 students from 25 countries competed in the challenge, which included a contest to invent applications using the powerful processor. Students' designs included everything from applications-oriented solutions (e.g., visualization, medical imaging and seismic computing) to High Performance Computing and industry-wide programmability tools.

"This contest provided a growth opportunity for students to gain real-life, multi-disciplinary skills to apply to their futures as they move from the classroom to the workforce," said Nick Donofrio, IBM executive vice president, Innovation and Technology. "This challenge also proved the true power, potential and promise of student innovations."

The Cell processor was originally designed by IBM, Sony Group and Toshiba Corp., for use in consumer devices, but is finding new applications in other fields.

Source: IBM


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - 4.4 /5 (5 votes)


September 25, 2007 all stories

Comments: 0

4.4 /5 (5 votes)
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this

  • hide
  • Related Stories

  • Beyond chess: Deep green models rapid change for combat commanders
    created Jun 27, 2008 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Stanford, tech giants team up to enable software for parallel computers
    created May 01, 2008 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Beyond chess: Deep green models rapid change for combat commanders
    created Apr 11, 2008 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Using video-game technology to find oil, gas
    created Sep 19, 2007 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • 'Not so fast, supercomputers,' say software programmers
    created May 22, 2007 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0



  • hide
  • Relevant PhysicsForums posts

  • why are you an engineer?
    created 8 hours ago
  • Variable Pitch Propeller mechanism?
    created 12 hours ago
  • Bread Board
    created Nov 14, 2009
  • Student team - building a satellite - want to join - problem:i'm a biotech student.
    created Nov 13, 2009
  • More from Physics Forums - General Engineering

Other News

Kindle DX

Schools shun Kindle, saying blind can't use it

Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets

created Nov 11, 2009 | popularity 2.7 / 5 (3) | comments 6

(AP) -- Amazon's Kindle can read books aloud, but if you're blind it can be difficult to turn that function on without help. Now two universities say they will shun the device until Amazon changes the setup.


Apple iPhone 3G

iPhone worm Rickrolls Australia

Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets

created Nov 10, 2009 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (8) | comments 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- iPhone users in Australia have been hit during the last few days with a worm called "ikee". The worm replaces the default wallpaper with a difficult to remove picture of British singer Rick ...


AKROD Knee Device

Robotic Devices Providing Home-Care Rehabilitation (w/ Video)

Electronics / Robotics

created Nov 13, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A group of researchers, at Northeastern University, have developed several portable robotic devices to aid in the rehabilitation process of stroke victims. These devices are small enough for ...


10 unusual gadgets and gifts for geeks

Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets

created Nov 12, 2009 | popularity 1.8 / 5 (6) | comments 0

Nerds. Geeks. Fanboys. Whatever you call them, the comics aficionados, movie buffs and videogame enthusiasts who dwell amongst us can be really hard to shop for. But it gets dramatically worse this time of year, when everyone ...


Microsoft XBOX 360

Xbox Live boots pirate videogame players; will link to Twitter, Facebook, Last.fm

Electronics / Consumer & Gadgets

created Nov 12, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Microsoft said Thursday that its Xbox 360 videogame console will be able to link online starting next week with Twitter and Facebook along with Internet radio star Last.fm.