IBM flogs 'human brain' supercomputer

IBM has sold a multimillion-dollar model of its new Blue Gene/L supercomputer to simulate the workings of the human brain.

The Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland, purchased the supercomputer, dubbed Blue Brain, and its researchers will collaborate with experts from IBM on the project, Big Blue is expected to announce today.

The two-year project will build a three-dimensional model that simulates the electrochemistry of a major portion of the brain, the neocortex, with plans to simulate other parts and eventually the entire brain. The researchers hope to understand processes such as perception, thought and memory and to illuminate how malfunctions in the brain's circuitry can lead to problems such as autism or schizophrenia.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but EPFL bought a four-rack Blue Gene model, and IBM charges about $2m per rack. Each rack has 1,024 Power processors linked with multiple high-speed communications networks. The system will be delivered this month.

IBM has sold several Blue Gene models since it began commercialising the former research project in 2004. The company also rents access to its own machines.

The system will also be used for semiconductor, physics and protein research.

Stephen Shankland writes for CNET News.com