Birmingham Environment for Academic Research : Case studies volume 1

Abstract

These case studies have been brought together to publicise the different types of work that have been carried out on the University of Birmingham’s high performance computing facility, known as BlueBEAR. This computer system is part of the Birmingham Environment for Academic Research (BEAR), which helps both staff and students of the University of Birmingham delve deeper into their research than has been possible before.

Traditionally researchers have always had to experiment or to theorise; BlueBEAR can deliver a third option, computer-based modelling. Computer-based modelling is used to underpin experimental and theoretical research. Sometimes computer-based modelling is the only option (e.g. colliding galaxies, nuclear explosions) when safety and cost are prohibitive.

This set of case studies represents only a small part of the vast amount of research that is being done on BlueBEAR and, more generally, around the University of Birmingham as a whole.