Office ofthe President
October 12, 2010
1. New Supercomputer Puts UK in Top 10 Public Universities for Computing Power
The University of Kentucky recently completed installation of a new supercomputer,
which puts UK in the top 10 public universities for computing power. The supercomputer,
named after UK alumnus and Nobel Laureate William N. Lipscomb, Jr., is three times more
powerful than UK‘s old supercomputing cluster. The supercomputer was announced at a press
conference September 20, where UK researcher Matthew Beck explained its impact on UK‘s
ability to do cutting-edge research, such as his group‘s current work with nanoparticles, which
provide promise in protection against Alzheimer‘s disease and other applications. The
supercomputer will also assist with research into the design of improved phannaceuticals,
automobile manufacture, development of new types of batteries, and understanding biological
chemical processes.
2. $2.2 Million in Grants Fund KGS Carbon Seguestration Geothermal Data Project
The Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) \ recently received two grants from the U.S.
Department of Energy as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The first, a $1.6
million grant, will allow ongoing research in carbon dioxide storage at an 8,126-foot deep well
drilled in Hancock County, Kentucky. The research is part of a four-state regional study ofthe
Knox and St. Peter geologic formations administered by the University of Illinois. The KGS
received the grant for additional research at this well and elsewhere in westem Kentucky over a
three-year period. A second grant of $600,000 over the next three years was given KGS to
compile infonnation related to geothennal resources in Kentucky and help other states compile
their data and make it available on the Intemet. The three-year undertaking is intended to
demonstrate the feasibility of non-conventional geothennal energy technologies.
3. UK Helps Make World Eguestrian Games a Success
The University of Kentucky was highly involved with the 2010 Alltech FEI World
Equestrian Games. Some of its contributions include: UK HealthCare was the official health care
provider, Many UK music students and faculty were involved in opening and closing ceremony
productions, College of Agriculture personnel worked closely on many aspects ofthe Games
from entomologists helping determining the date of WEG in order to avoid disease carrying
ticks, to employees preparing parts of UK farms where the endurance race was held, to the
horticulture department providing flowers and plants for decorating the competition arenas,
UK‘s solar house served as the visitor center, UK professors provided foreign language