Extending more than 50 years of supercomputing leadership, the University’s National Center for Supercomputing Applications has finalized their contract with IBM to build the world’s fastest supercomputer.

The University was granted $208 million from the National Science Foundation and this first petascale computational system, named Blue Waters, will be completed in 2011.

Trish Barker, spokeswoman for the center, said the sustainable building housing the supercomputer will begin construction in October, located at the intersection of St. Mary’s Road and Oak Street.

“After completion of the computer, students will have the opportunity to tour the facility and witness the new technological advances provided by the supercomputers system,” Barker said.

Students in computer science and electrical engineering are working on the project and are already reaping the benefits of the supercomputer before its completion.

Also, despite no direct connection with the project, students majoring in other areas also found the project to be beneficial for the University.

Brigette Korney, senior in LAS, said she believes the supercomputer will probably have no effect in her field of study, but is convinced it is a positive project.

“It is this University’s reputation as a leader in education that will have a lot to do with my pride in my degree once I graduate,” she said.

Sam Romano, senior in Business, said he believes anything that is beneficial to the overall resources and prestige at the University is important. He is particularly in favor of the supercomputer since the National Science Foundation has agreed to support the project financially.

“Sounds like a win-win for the reputation of the University and most importantly the students,” he added.

Marie Verhelst, a senior in Engineering, said this supercomputer will be extremely beneficial for the students of 2011 and thereafter.

“I believe anything that keeps engineering students ahead of the curve is a plus,” Verhelst said. “Much of what future careers in engineering entail focuses on the importance of constantly being exposed and adapting to new innovations.”

This project is especially significant because it will be an important resource for the entire country. This groundbreaking technology will do much to enhance the University’s reputation as a center for high performance computing, Barker said.

“Scientists around the nation will have access to the project as the supercomputer will be a major asset in researching multiple areas of scientific inquiry,” she said.