The University will receive approximately 30 RS/6000s, which are Unix-based workstations; six SP/2 nodes, which provide additional processing power for the University's scalable parallel computer system; and RAMAC II disk storage. The RAMAC II is the leading-edge disk storage for large computing operations such as those of the University and will aid Penn State in consolidating its computer enterprise and in improving its efficiency.

"Penn State is honored to have a continuing relationship with IBM that has yielded such positive results for both parties," said President Graham B. Spanier. "The research the University has conducted in the past has led to unique experiences for our students and faculty and has contributed to IBM's technological advances."

L.G. "Buzz" Waterhouse, a 1973 graduate of Penn State and general manager, marketing and business development for IBM, was instrumental in securing the agreement.

With matching dollars from the University, IBM is providing equipment that will support research in the College of Engineering, the Center for Academic Computing, the Eberly College of Science, The Smeal College of Business Administration and the Commonwealth Educational System.

A project in the Department of Chemical Engineering will use the IBM RS/6000s to conduct high performance computational studies in such areas as the motion of fluids; turbulence and its effect on the transport of red blood cells near artificial heart valves; the diffusion of large molecules in glassy polymeric solids, which has applications in the development of food storage bags, contact lenses and plastic gas tanks for automobiles; and in the development of a computational framework to support the development of software tools.

"The heavy computational requirements of these projects will test the performance of the IBM hardware and software and will enable Penn State to provide feedback to IBM," said Anne-Lee Verville, general manager for Worldwide Education Industry IBM. "The final product of this project will be the development of computer codes that will be used in chemical industries that run on IBM platforms. Most importantly, however, will be the educational experience provided to a large number of graduate and undergraduate chemical engineering students."

A team in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering is working on developing an alternative to individual high-priced machines -- a cluster of workstations connected to a network that will provide a high level of computer power at a much lower cost. They will develop analytical tools and simulation models for the network. IBM will be able to use this information in designing their future RS/6000 machines.

While students will benefit from their participation in the research projects, the University will also benefit from the upgraded disk technology. The RAMAC II disk storage will save the University more than 4,000 square feet of floor space and $350,000 in the annual cost of running the older disk storage system.

According to J. Gary Augustson, executive director of computing and information systems, "Because of the extensive cost of replacing old disk technology, the University has been running our central computing systems with very old technology. This agreement has enabled us to replace all of the old disk equipment in both the Center for Academic Computing (CAC) and the Office of Administrative Systems (OAS). The new RAMAC II disk storage is significantly less expensive to operate and significantly smaller than the older technology.

"The RAMAC II disk storage will enable the University to run both the OAS and CAC more efficiently and cost-effectively."

IBM made the gift through its Worldwide Education Industry and a combination of funds from the Shared University Research (SUR) grant program, special promotions, discounts, and matching dollars from Penn State. IBM initiated the SUR grant program four years ago to promote a cooperative research environment between IBM and selected research institutions.