EOn (distributed computing project)
Encyclopedia
Eon is a distributed computing
project for the BOINC client, which uses theoretical chemistry
techniques to solve problems in condensed matter physics
and materials science
. It is a project of the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences
at the University of Texas.
Traditional molecular dynamics
can accurately model events that occur within a fraction of a millisecond
. In order to model events that take place on much longer timescales, Eon combines transition state theory
with kinetic
Monte Carlo
. The result is a combination of classical mechanics
and quantum methods like density functional theory
.
Since the generation of new work units depends on the results of previous units, the project can only give each host
a few units at a time.
Distributed computing
Distributed computing is a field of computer science that studies distributed systems. A distributed system consists of multiple autonomous computers that communicate through a computer network. The computers interact with each other in order to achieve a common goal...
project for the BOINC client, which uses theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Theoretical chemistry seeks to provide theories that explain chemical observations. Often, it uses mathematical and computational methods that, at times, require advanced knowledge. Quantum chemistry, the application of quantum mechanics to the understanding of valency, is a major component of...
techniques to solve problems in condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics
Condensed matter physics deals with the physical properties of condensed phases of matter. These properties appear when a number of atoms at the supramolecular and macromolecular scale interact strongly and adhere to each other or are otherwise highly concentrated in a system. The most familiar...
and materials science
Materials science
Materials science is an interdisciplinary field applying the properties of matter to various areas of science and engineering. This scientific field investigates the relationship between the structure of materials at atomic or molecular scales and their macroscopic properties. It incorporates...
. It is a project of the Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences
Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences
The Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences was created at the University of Texas at Austin to provide the infrastructure and intellectual leadership for strong interdisciplinary programs in computational engineering and sciences....
at the University of Texas.
Traditional molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics
Molecular dynamics is a computer simulation of physical movements of atoms and molecules. The atoms and molecules are allowed to interact for a period of time, giving a view of the motion of the atoms...
can accurately model events that occur within a fraction of a millisecond
Millisecond
A millisecond is a thousandth of a second.10 milliseconds are called a centisecond....
. In order to model events that take place on much longer timescales, Eon combines transition state theory
Transition state theory
Transition state theory explains the reaction rates of elementary chemical reactions. The theory assumes a special type of chemical equilibrium between reactants and activated transition state complexes....
with kinetic
Phonon
In physics, a phonon is a collective excitation in a periodic, elastic arrangement of atoms or molecules in condensed matter, such as solids and some liquids...
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo method
Monte Carlo methods are a class of computational algorithms that rely on repeated random sampling to compute their results. Monte Carlo methods are often used in computer simulations of physical and mathematical systems...
. The result is a combination of classical mechanics
Classical mechanics
In physics, classical mechanics is one of the two major sub-fields of mechanics, which is concerned with the set of physical laws describing the motion of bodies under the action of a system of forces...
and quantum methods like density functional theory
Density functional theory
Density functional theory is a quantum mechanical modelling method used in physics and chemistry to investigate the electronic structure of many-body systems, in particular atoms, molecules, and the condensed phases. With this theory, the properties of a many-electron system can be determined by...
.
Since the generation of new work units depends on the results of previous units, the project can only give each host
Host (network)
A network host is a computer connected to a computer network. A network host may offer information resources, services, and applications to users or other nodes on the network. A network host is a network node that is assigned a network layer host address....
a few units at a time.