Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

We are proposing replacing an aging research computer laboratory used by students and faculty. The supported research includes discrete mathematics, algebra, applied analysis, statistics, abstract analysis, and probability theory. Major theoretical advances would include understanding finite projective planes, infinite-dimensional Lie theory, quantum group theory, and queueing theory. Important applications of the research include efficient software testing, modeling large animal populations, gas and fluid flows, quantum information theory and improving the efficiency and performance of telecommunication and computer networks. We are also proposing the purchase of a small cutting edge general purpose graphics processing unit. GP-GPU's are distributed computers built from graphics cards, which can perform very high precision large floating point and matrix computations. They can mimic some of the functionality of a Cray supercomputer at much lower cost. GP-GPUs can be ten or more times fast than conventional computers. This technology is about to become a standard in scientific computing. Most of the proposed research involves training highly qualified personnel for Canada's universities and high-tech sectors. Being able to train student on GP-GPUs is an exciting aspect of the proposal.