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New high-performance computing system launched to support research at University of Birmingham

Research at the University of Birmingham is set to be given a boost this week with the launch of a high-performance, bespoke computing system known as BEAR Cloud.

University of Birmingham Aston Webb building

Research at the University of Birmingham is set to be given a boost this week with the launch of a high-performance, bespoke computing system known as BEAR Cloud.

Designed specifically with researchers in mind, the Birmingham Environment for Academic Research (BEAR) Cloud is far more powerful than any individual computer and can perform billions of calculations a second. It will be used by academics across all disciplines, from Medicine to Archaeology, and Physics to Theology.

The system, developed by the IT Services department at the University of Birmingham, has already been used in the fight against deadly diseases such as Zika and Ebola, and to improve our understanding and treatment of diseases such as Cancer.

The BEAR Cloud system is also the first of its kind in the UK to use a new form of water-cooling technology, significantly reducing its energy consumption and helping to support sustainable research.

The launch of BEAR Cloud will be celebrated with a one-day conference held in the University’s prestigious Bramall Concert Hall on Friday 21st October. The event, opened by Professor Tim Softley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham, features talks by academics from departments across the University who have used the system in their research.

For more information, contact Liz Bell at the University of Birmingham Press Office on +44 (0)121 414 2772.

Notes to Editors:

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 5,000 international students from over 150 countries.