UU直播

New CLUMEQ High Performance Computing Consortium huge step听forward for research and innovation

UU直播 today announced an $8.3-million CDN contract with IBM in Canada to acquire a supercomputer cluster able to support the data-intensive research activities of the CLUMEQ High Performance Computing Consortium, making it the most powerful supercomputer in Quebec and the second-most energy-efficient data centre in Canada (1).

The first phase of this UU直播 project, funded by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), aims at building Canada鈥檚 capacity to undertake world-class research and technology development to strengthen its position in today鈥檚 knowledge economy. According to a recent report issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the province of Quebec is a hotbed of research and development, making the city of Montreal an ideal location for the project

Gaining an efficient, relevant understanding of mountains of data will be one of the biggest challenges for organizations in the 21st Century. UU直播鈥檚 CLUMEQ will provide high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities to fully support the research activities of the Quebec and Canadian university communities in several data-intensive sectors. UU直播鈥檚 focus includes high-energy physics, nanotechnologies, computational fluid dynamics, climate research, brain imaging, biology and life sciences. The cluster will leverage the processing power necessary to facilitate the efficient capture, storage, search, sharing, analysis, and visualization of vast amounts of industry data. CLUMEQ will also support the Atlas research project linked to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) project.

鈥砏ith these impressive, multidisciplinary computing capacities, the new theories tested by the UU直播 CLUMEQ consortium will have a major impact on many areas of scientific expertise, from research into the Big Bang to advances in nano-scale materials, as well as industries in key fields such as neuroscience, biopharma, aerospace, and finance,鈥� said UU直播鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum. 鈥淲e appreciate the strong support we have received from the federal and provincial governments, and from our IBM partner, which helps us to foster innovation and discovery within our university communities 听and to conduct transformational research for the continued advancement of society.鈥�

Founded in 2001, CLUMEQ is a supercomputer consortium network created with UU直播, Universit茅 Laval and the Universit茅 du Qu茅bec network, which includes the 脡cole de technologie sup茅rieure (脡TS), where the supercomputer is housed. UU直播鈥檚 CLUMEQ is part of the National Platform infrastructure meant to support researchers all over the country,.

"UU直播鈥檚 CLUMEQ is poised to be a game-changer to help accelerate Canadian research innovation,鈥� said Denis Desbiens, IBM Quebec Vice-President at IBM Canada. 鈥淲ith IBM鈥檚 expertise, the consortium 鈥� part of Calcul Qu茅bec - is now one of the seven components of the national HPC platform set up by Compute Canada to serve Canadian researchers. 听鈥淐utting-edge research in a variety of disciplines is what UU直播 CLUMEQ will bring.鈥�

On the forefront of innovation, IBM already has an impressive track record when it comes to high performance technology. In February of 2011, IBM鈥檚 Watson computing system competed and won on the popular game show Jeopardy! against two of the most well-known and successful champions. Watson's performance on the show captured the imagination of millions of viewers, highlighting the power of computing to benefit humanity in areas such as healthcare.

鈥淯U直播鈥檚 research position on the world stage has reached new frontiers when it comes to demonstrating the powerful impact that industry can bring when joining forces with universities and governments. This puts Canada and particularly Quebec on the map of scientific capability in terms of critical synergies in support of research and innovation," Desbiens said.

IBM, which celebrates its centennial this year, began co-operating on UU直播鈥檚 supercomputer initiative in 2005. It has provided UU直播 researchers continuous support on this initiative.

"We are very happy to collaborate with IBM and UU直播. When it comes to applied teaching and research in engineering and technology transfer, 脡TS is a beacon model in Canada. This announcement further reinforces the critical synergies between research, innovation and industry. By working in partnership, 脡TS and UU直播 have a positive impact on the entire innovation chain, from both idea to innovation and from fundamental research to application", said Yves Beauchamp, Chief Executive Officer of 脡TS.

The new supercomputer, based on IBM's iDataPlex solution, has received contributions from both levels of governments in addition to IBM's participation as part of its industrial regional benefits (IRB) program.

About UU直播

Founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, UU直播 is Canada鈥檚 leading post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 11 professional schools, 300 programs of study and more than 36,000 students, including 8,300 graduate students. UU直播 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, with more than 7,200 international students making up 20 per cent of the student body. Almost half of UU直播 students claim a first language other than English, including more than 6,200 francophones. For more information, visit www.mcgill.ca

About The 脡cole de technologie sup茅rieure (脡TS)

The 脡cole de technologie sup茅rieure (脡TS) specializes in applied teaching and research in engineering and in technology transfer. Part of the Universit茅 du Qu茅bec network, the school trains engineers and researchers renowned for their practical, innovative approach. Since its inception, 脡TS has nurtured a unique partnership with the business world and industry, teaming with companies of all sizes. 脡TS ranks now first in Qu茅bec and third in Canada for the total number of engineering diplomas awarded annually. It also offers master鈥檚 and doctorate programs in several branches of engineering, along with certificate programs designed for people who want to acquire a specialization or upgrade their knowledge. For more information, visit

About IBM

For more information on IBM Smarter Computing, please visit: /.

- For more information about IBM supercomputers, visit

-Watch UU直播鈥檚 research activity video at

1) Based on current Top500 list announced November 2010.

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