ACADEMIA

"Thomas Sterling, a pioneer of clustered computing, including the beloved Beowulf cluster, has accepted a fully-tenured professorship at Louisiana State University's Center for Computation and Technology, ditching his old post at Cal Tech. At LSU, he hopes to develop the next generation of high-performance computers that will give birth to true artificial intelligence. By making computer chips more efficient, Sterling believes he can change computing by one to three orders of magnitude that will transform how humans interact with technology. Sterling holds six patents and co-created the modern "Beowulf" supercomputer. LSU offered him full professorship and tenure starting in August. Sterling, who holds a Ph.D. from MIT, said LSU offered the most exciting program and package, especially with LONI going live this fall. "I would not have come to CCT if not for LONI -- I can't be starved for bits," he said. "Louisiana has positioned itself to being absolutely top-tier when it comes to Internet access for data movement." Carman also pointed to CCT director Ed Seidel, who has organized the center to collaborate with other departments that use high-performance computing. Sterling will bring his research to LSU which involves developing a computer processor called "MIND," which stands for Memory, Intelligence and Network Device. The MIND architecture uses a new multi-core chip that stacks several processors on a single chip -- similar to those in the upcoming Sony PlayStation 3 game device -- but with greater efficiency, Sterling said. "Play Station 3 is putting lots more of these functional units on chips, but it's not clear we know how to make them work more effectively together," he said. Processors generally dedicate a single functioning body that's surrounded by "clever tricks" and mechanisms that keep it working, he said. "There are many sources of inefficiencies … in the way we put technology on a chip, the way we organize the technology, the way we make the chips work with each other," he said. "We're using the same model we used 50 or 60 years ago developed in the vacuum tube era." Sterling said the work -- along with other CCT initiatives -- could "catalyze a new industry and bring new talent to Louisiana." He envisions building his prototype in Baton Rouge. Carman said he will also be working to create an undergraduate major in high-performance computing. "Any investors -- even the state of Louisiana -- should expect a big return from their investment. I hope to give them that," Sterling said. "I think that LSU is creating a very special opportunity and consider lucky to be asked to participate," Sterling said.