MRI: Track 1 Acquisition of High Performance Computing System for Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching

This project will establish a High-Performance Computing (HPC) system at King’s College, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, to support interdisciplinary research and teaching. The new HPC system will enable significant advancements in materials science, computational social science, and civil engineering. The research aims to achieve the following: 1) Develop new methods for hydrogen energy storage using high entropy alloys, 2) Enhance predictive models for sociocultural systems, particularly in food-insecure nations and regions experiencing civil conflict, 3) Improve performance predictions of flexible pavements using multi-physics computational research. This system will benefit various departments, including Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Computer Science, and Mathematics, fostering collaboration and innovation. The HPC cluster will support research in several key areas: studying the mechanical properties of two-dimensional high-entropy materials for hydrogen applications, probabilistic reasoning and machine learning for sociocultural systems, and multi-physics computational research for civil engineering applications. These projects will use advanced computational tools such as first-principle calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and machine learning algorithms. The HPC system will enhance the research capabilities of King’s College, facilitating cutting-edge studies and improving the quality of computational education. This collaborative project brings together investigators from various institutions to foster academic and industry partnerships. The broader impact of this project includes increased research opportunities and improved educational experiences for students and faculty at King’s College. The HPC system will support student research projects, enabling hands-on experience with state-of-the-art computational techniques. The project aims to attract nationally recognized researchers and foster collaboration with nearby institutions. Additionally, it will promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields by encouraging participation from underrepresented groups. The project will also reach out to local K-12 schools through workshops and demonstrations, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.