The brochure of the John von Neumann Institute for Computing is available in English and in German. It can be ordered at the NIC secretariat (nic@fz-juelich.de).

deutsche Broschüre (pdf)   |  English brochure (pdf)

Intro- duction	Scientific Computing	Astro- physics	Elementary Particles	Multi- particles	Polymers	Chemistry	Earth, En- vironment	Other Fields

    Introduction

Caused by the rapid progress in mathematical methods, semiconductor technology, and computer architecture, computer simulation has become the third category of scientific research complementing theory and experiment. The methodology, whose scope with respect to strategy and content is summarized here by the comprehensive term "scientific computing", is focused on complex systems and processes in science and engineering which cannot be solved by analytical methods and ordinary computers.

The challenges for scientific computing range from physics, materials science, chemistry, biology and medicine, to fluid dynamics and structural mechanics. They pose equally increasing demands on the precision of scientific and technical modeling, the efficiency of the mathematical methods and the innovative power of the computer architecture. Top performers are the supercomputers; they are the "Large Scale Facilities" of theory.

The strong impetus for simulation and modeling in science and research simultaneously makes scientific computing an indispensable tool for optimizing product cycles in industry. Expertise in scientific computing thus becomes an important economic location factor. Supercomputer centers act, together with the universities, as seeds for the development of high-performance networks of expertise.

In order to intensively support supercomputer-aided scientific and technical research and development, Research Center Jülich (FZJ) and the German Electron Synchrotron Foundation (DESY) as centers of the Helmholtz Association signed a cooperation agreement in 1998 establishing the

John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC).

The NIC took over the functions and the mission of the HLRZ (Höchstleistungsrechenzentrum), which was established in 1987 as the first national supercomputing center in Germany, and continues this center's successful work in the field of supercomputing and its applications:

Provision of supercomputer capacity for projects in science, research and industry in the fields of modeling and computer simulation including their methods. The supercomputers with the required information technology infrastructure (software, data storage, visualization, networks) are operated by the Central Institute for Applied Mathematics (ZAM) in Jülich and by the Center for Parallel Computing at DESY in Zeuthen. Supercomputer-oriented research and development in selected fields of physics and other sciences, especially in elementary-particle physics, by research groups for supercomputing applications. Research groups exist for high energy physics and complex systems. Preparations are being made to establish a research group in the field of computational biophysics. Education and training in the fields of scientific computing by symposia, workshops, summer schools, seminars, courses, and guest programs for scientists and students.

The John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC) thus performs the research strategy tasks of a supercomputer center in the sense of the recommendations of the German Science Council in 1995 and 2000.

By naming the center after John von Neumann, Research Center Jülich and the German Electron Synchrotron Foundation acknowledge John von Neumann's great scientific achievements in computer science and mathematics, and his effective impact on computer applications. The broad spectrum of his scientific interests addressed very different fields of science. They ranged from automata and game theory through quantum mechanics up to hydrodynamics and ballistics. His speech at the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences on occasion of his visit in September 1954 profoundly influenced the organization of mathematics and computing at Research Center Jülich, which was then founded in 1956.

The John von Neumann Institute is designed to support and further develop scientific computing in cooperation with other centers, universities and research institutes by providing supercomputer resources, developing methods and conducting interdisciplinary research. The NIC is playing a leading role in European and German Grid activities in cooperation with other national and international supercomputer centers and universities.

(Thomas Lippert, NIC Board of Directors)

NIC User Groups

NIC regularly - at present once a year - invites research proposals to be submitted. Proposals can be filed by any scientist qualified in the respective field of research. Computer resources are assigned on the basis of independent expert opinions following the criteria and procedures of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG (German Research Association). Project partners in the EU projects DEISA and I3HP may also apply for computing time.

Organization Chart

The NIC, which is jointly operated by DESY and FZJ, has a unique structure within the Helmholtz Association. It is headed by a Management Board of Directors composed of the member of the FZJ Board of Directors responsible for information technology and physics research, a member of the DESY Board of Directors and the Director of ZAM. The Management Board determines NIC's scientific program and is responsible for the further development of NIC's instrumental, financial and personnel resources.

A Scientific Council (WR) with supra-regional and interdisciplinary membership advises the Management Board and the Contract Partners on issues relating to the R&D fields of the Research Groups for Supercomputing Applications, the continual enhancement of computer equipment and other resources for NIC. The Peer Review Board (RZK) assists the Scientific Council and the Management Board in reviewing research proposals applying for supercomputer resources; it evaluates the submitted project proposals and makes recommendations for appropriate grants of supercomputer resources to the applicants. WR and RZK are supported by a secretariat.

The supercomputers with the required information technology infrastructure are operated at the Jülich Central Institute for Applied Mathematics (ZAM) and the Center for Parallel Computing at DESY in Zeuthen. The Research Groups for Supercomputing Applications work in selected fields of physics and other sciences as research groups focusing on supercomputer-oriented research and development.

Intro- duction	Scientific Computing	Astro- physics	Elementary Particles	Multi- particles	Polymers	Chemistry	Earth, En- vironment	Other Fields