Help create an earthbound sun

The dream of fusion power sounds so fantastic that one’s initial reaction might be to dismiss it as science fiction. Yet scientists hope to bring the power that emblazons the sun, fusion, to earthbound reactors. In this type of reaction two atomic nuclei bind — or fuse — together to form a heavier atom, triggering a monumental release of energy. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France is a research and development project seeking to build a prototype fusion power plant.

Aiding ITER in its computational load is Ibercivis, a volunteer computing project . . .

Feature - Building networks

The magic of GENI

The Internet may be a powerful tool. But researchers trying to extend the Net's capabilities want to test their ideas for improving network design, distributed systems and security without disrupting or breaking it.

Feature - Computing and development

Blue Gene for Africa

What is the fastest scientific supercomputer on the entire African continent?

And what will researchers do with this resource, now available free courtesy of IBM and BELIEF-II?

Link of the week

Hollywood comes to CERN

On 12 February, CERN saw stars.

Stars from Hollywood, that is.

Actors Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer and director Ron Howard visited the grounds and posed in front of "the dome," and later unveiled some footage from their upcoming film version of Dan Brown's fictional book, Angels & Demons.

In the story, a secret society tries to annihilate the Vatican with antimatter stolen from the lab on the Swiss-French border. (And CERN's director has a private, X-33 space plane in an underground hangar.)

Image of the week

An up-Lift-ing conference