PACER paves the way
Photo, from left-to-right: Department of Physics & Astronomy Professor and Chair Chakram Jayanthi, Sam Lord, and College of Arts & Sciences Dean Kimberly Kempf-Leonard.
On May 21, 2019, the Department of Physics & Astronomy inaugurated its powerful new computing cluster PACER (Physics & Astronomy Computer for Education and Research), made possible by a generous gift from the family of Nathan Shrewsbury Lord and Rachel Macauley Smith Lord. PACER will allow faculty and students to engage in the frontier computational research areas of astronomy, atmospheric science, condensed-matter physics, and high energy physics.
The computing capabilities of PACER will address the needs of researchers working on big-data analysis, artificial intelligence, and development of novel materials. PACER paves the way for future cutting-edge research with massive, detailed simulations and will aid the department with existing research on galaxy evolution and searching for exo-planets.
Commenting on his family’s gift, Sam Lord states, “In the last few centuries, we humans have made a dire impact upon the Earth. For us to repair our planet to health and live to see it, we need every available tool. We need computers to create new materials, biology, artificial intelligence, and clean energy to sustain this endeavor.”
To be a supporter like Sam Lord, go to uofl.me/give-physics.
