COLLABORATION NEWS Vol. 12
Foundation for Computational Science (FOCUS)

URL : http://www.j-focus.or.jp/

Foundation for Computational Science (FOCUS) was established by Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe city and the Kobe Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January, 2008 in order for more practical use of a next-generation supercomputer and to contribute to promotion of the computer science field and development of industrial economy by research & development, promotion of industrial use and wide public awareness.

Furthermore, FOCUS supercomputer for industrial usage was installed beside the next-generation supercomputer "Kei", and advanced computational science research center was established in April, 2011.

In the second floor of the laboratory, the supercomputer cloud Kobe laboratory of Forum8, the laboratory of university and R&D institutions are located. We have our supercomputer cloud Kobe laboratory here as well.

Moreover, the graduate school of simulation studies of the university of Hyogo was established on the upper floor in April, 2011. Since it is inside of the same FOCUS institution, our joint research and information exchange have already started between our company and the teachers at the graduate school of the information simulation studies in the university of Hyogo.
From now on, in development of the new technology by industry-university cooperation like this, upgrade of a product, etc., the result of joint research with teachers is planned to be included.

Our company was allowed to exhibit and explain as the example of supercomputer practical use in private enterprise at the 3rd cloud computing EXPO(Spring) held at the Tokyo big site for 3 days, from May 9 to 11. In cloud computing EXPO spring, many visitors came to our booth and we were able to introduce the projects conducted by Kobe city and our company.

Moreover, with the practical use of a next-generation supercomputer "Kei" in Kobe, the research and development center of advanced medical technology has been improved in Port Island since 1988, "Kobe medical industry plot of town" aiming at accumulation of the medical correlative industry which will be a growth industry in the 21st century by industry-academic-government cooperation has been promoted.

Now, 11 institutions, such as an "advanced medicine center", "RIKEN generating / reproduction science research center", and a "clinical study information center" are being operated as core facilities in the "Kobe medical industry city". Moreover, the facilities, such as "RIKEN K computer" and "Kobe city medical center general hospital" are under construction.

Clinical application and utilization of these medical supplies, regeneration medicine, medical equipment, etc. are attained by mutual cooperation of the top level's research institution in the world and the more than 200 companies and organizations which are advancing one after another.

In addition, this approach of "Kobe medical industry city" is positioned also as a national project.

By using FOCUS supercomputer and our virtual reality, we are considering to apply our technology to express by Virtual Reality for advanced medical technology, we start cooperation with medical related enterprises by participation to the meeting hosted by Kobe city.

The alliance activity with Kobe city was highly evaluated, and cloud service of our company won the special prize of "The 8 CSAJ alliance grand-prix" in the fiscal year general meeting held by computer software association (following, CSAJ) on June 8.

Furthermore, Mr. Kazuo Kanazawa vice-governor of Hyogo visited our company's supercomputer cloud Kobe laboratory and looked over on June 1.

We introduced our corporate profile, product information, the supercomputer service to be offered, etc, and Mr. Kanazawa vice-governor had high interest in our new technology,a3S and the simulation technology. Due to establishment of its base in Kobe, the challenge of Forum8 to a new field begin through practical use of a supercomputer, and alliance activity with Kobe. From now on, we would like to use a supercomputer for various products and services of Forum 8 positively.

Mr. Kazuo Kanazawa, vice-governor of Hyogo perfecter get explanation of Forum 8 with the staff of FOCUS. Advanced computational science research center (right)
RIKEN Computing science research organization in which the next-generation supercomputer "Kei " is installed.

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