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).

Introduction	Super- computing	Astro- physics	Elementary Particles	Many Particles	Polymers	Chemistry	Environment	Other Fields

    Introduction

Due to the unique progress in semiconductor technology, computer architecture and mathematical methods, computer simulation has become the third category of scientific research complementing theory and experiment. The new methodology termed computational science & engineering, whose scope with respect to strategy and contents is summarized here by the comprehensive term of scientific computing, is focused on complex systems and processes, that is on problems in research and technology which cannot be solved by analytical methods and ordinary computers. The significance and acceptance of computer simulation is also underlined by the award of the 1998 Nobel prize for chemistry.

The Grand Challenges range from fluid dynamics and structural mechanics, chemistry, biology and solid-state physics to astrophysics and elementary particle physics. They make equally increasing demands on the precision of scientific and technical modelling, the efficiency of the mathematical methods and the innovative power of the computer architecture. Top performers are therefore the supercomputers; they are the "accelerators" of theory.

The strong impetus for modelling in science and research ("virtual laboratory") simultaneously makes computer simulation an indispensable tool for optimizing the product cycles in industry ("virtual product"). Expertise in scientific computing thus becomes an important siting factor. Supercomputer centres act as seeds for the development of high-performance networks of expertise.

In order to intensively support supercomputer-aided scientific and technical research and development in Germany, the Research Centre Jülich (FZJ) and the German Electron Synchrotron Foundation (DESY) as centres of the Hermann von Helmholtz Association signed a cooperation agreement on 3 July 1998 establishing the

John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC).

The NIC takes over the functions and tasks of the supercomputing centre (HLRZ) established in 1987 and continues this centre's successful work in the field of supercomputing and its applications:

Nationwide provision of supercomputer capacity for projects in science, research and industry in the fields of modelling and computer simulation including their methods. The supercomputers with the required information technology infrastructure (software, data storage, networks) are operated by the Central Institute for Applied Mathematics (ZAM) in Jülich and by the Centre for Parallel Computing of DESY at Zeuthen. Supercomputer-oriented research and development in selected fields of physics and other natural sciences, especially in elementary-particle physics, by research groups of competence in supercomputing applications. At present, research groups exist for high energy physics and many-particle physics; others are under consideration. Education and training in the fields of supercomputing by symposia, workshops, summer schools, seminars and courses.

The John von Neumann Institute for Computing (NIC) thus performs the research strategy tasks of a supercomputer centre in the sense of the recommendations made by the Science Council in 1995.

(Courtesy of Norman Macrae)

By naming the new centre John von Neumann Institute for Computing, the Research Centre 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 and ranged from automata and game theory through quantum mechanics up to hydrodynamics and ballistics. There is no doubt that his visit and speech at the North Rhine-Westphalian Academy of Sciences at the invitation of Leo Brandt, State Secretary and founder of the Research Centre Jülich, in September 1954 profoundly influenced the organization of mathematics and computing at the Research Centre Jülich founded in 1956.

The John von Neumann Institute is designed to support and further develop scientific computing in Germany in cooperation with other centres, universities and research institutes by providing supercomputer resources, developing methods and conducting interdisciplinary research. This aim is also served by intensified networking and cooperation with other national and international supercomputer centres.

(Friedel Hossfeld, NIC Board of Directors)

NIC User Groups

The NIC regularly - at present every six months - invites research proposals to be submitted. Project requests can in principle be filed by any scientist qualified in the respective field of research. Computer resources are primarily assigned on the basis of independent expert opinions following the criteria and procedures of Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG (German Research Society).

Organizational Chart

The NIC, which is jointly operated by DESY and FZJ, is a structural novelty 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 programme and is responsible for the further development of NIC's instrumental, financial and personnel resources.

A Scientific Council (WR) with supraregional and interdisciplinary membership advises the Management Board and the Contract Partners on issues relating to the R&D fields of the Competence Groups for Supercomputing Applications, the continued enhancement of computer equipment and other resources for NIC. The Resource Allocation Committee (RZK) assists the Scientific Council and the Management Board of Directors in the reviewing of research proposals applying for supercomputer resources; it evaluates the submitted project proposals and makes recommendations for appropriate grants of supercomputer resources to the applying scientists. 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 DESY-Zeuthen Centre for Parallel Computing. The Competence Groups for Supercomputing Applications work in selected fields of physics and other natural sciences as research groups focusing on supercomputer-oriented research and development.

Introduction	Super- computing	Astro- physics	Elementary Particles	Many Particles	Polymers	Chemistry	Environment	Other Fields