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Did you know the fastest computer in the world? Apparently not the BlueGene / L owned by IBM. But computer MDGrape-3 property Riken, the Japanese government research institute, which is used for medical research.

MDGrape never been used as the fastest computer because the system is very specific so that the program used to test the normal speed that can not be executed here. Unlike the BlueGene, which is happy with the process that program.

MDGrape-3 is designed to create a molecular dynamics simulation. When you create a new drug, pharmaceutical companies hire MDGrape-3 to calculate how the body reacts to certain chemical substances.

Reactions can be calculated with a conventional computer, but need a few days. While MDGrape-3 just a few seconds.

MDGrape-3 is essentially a collection of 201 machines each working with 24 pieces mikrokomputer made Riken made specifically for the molecular calculation. Hundreds of the coordinated hundreds of computer servers.

MDGrape-3 will cost U.S. $ 9 million, take four years to do so. Although the price looks expensive, and quickly return the money because the rental companies pharmaceutical giant.

Riken stood at 1917. Initially, this is a private research institutions. Since three years ago, this institution is under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

A number of research institutions is executed, starting physics, chemistry, medical, biological, and engineering. Both basic research and applied research institute run.

Source: Koran Tempo (13 October 2006)