HPC Midlands, a supercomputing facility based at Loughborough University’s Science and Enterprise Park, has been shortlisted for a prestigious Times Higher Education Award.

HPC Midlands is a joint initiative between high performance computing (HPC) experts at Loughborough and the University of Leicester. The project, whose key component is the Loughborough-based 3,008 core supercomputer, provides researchers and business of all sizes with a crucial tool to drive innovation. Its development was supported by funding of £1 million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), as one of five regional e-infrastructure centres.

High performance computing is used to process vast quantities of data and undertake complex simulations. It has the potential to act as a catalyst for breakthroughs across a wide range of sectors including bio-informatics, engineering, finance, manufacturing and power.

HPC Midlands has been shortlisted for the Times Higher’s Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology Award, which recognises breakthroughs in the university sector that have a direct impact on the UK economy. This is due to its pioneering work on making e-infrastructure directly accessible to industry and breaking down the barriers that prevent engagement.

Dr Steven Kenny, Director of HPC Midlands, said: “Loughborough University has been working for over ten years with a range of large and small firms on collaborative research and development, using supercomputers to accelerate business processes and bring new products to market faster and cheaper that was previously possible.

“The national recognition that this award nomination will bring is testament to the Loughborough ethos of conducting ‘research that matters’.”

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