TOKYO and FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that PLAYSTATION(R)3 (PS3(TM))
computer entertainment systems will have the capability to connect to
Stanford University's Folding@home program, a distributed computing project
aimed at understanding protein folding, misfolding and related diseases.
Folding@home is leveraging PS3's powerful Cell Broadband Engine(TM)
(Cell/B.E.) -- and what will be an even more powerful distributed
supercomputing network of PS3 systems -- to help study the causes of
diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis and many
cancers.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020701/SFM066LOGO )
Because the process of folding proteins is so complex, computers are
used to perform simulations to study the process. Since these simulations
can take up to 30 years for a single computer to complete, Folding@home
enables this task to be shared among thousands of computers connected via
the network, utilizing distributed computing technology. Once the data is
processed, the information is sent back via the Internet to the central
computer.
The Cell/B.E. processor inside each PS3 is roughly 10 times faster than
a standard mainstream chip inside a personal computer (PC), so researchers
are able to perform the simulations much faster, speeding up the research
process.
"Millions of users have experienced the power of PS3 entertainment. Now
they can utilize that exceptional computing power to help fight diseases,"
said Masayuki Chatani, Corporate Executive and CTO Computer, Sony Computer
Entertainment Inc. "In order to study protein folding, researchers need
more than just one super computer, but the massive processing power of
thousands of networked computers. Previously, PCs have been the only option
for scientists, but now, they have a new, more powerful tool -- PS3."
"We're thrilled to have SCE be part of the Folding@home project," said
Vijay Pande, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University and
Folding@home project lead. "With PS3 now part of our network, we will be
able to address questions previously considered impossible to tackle
computationally, with the goal of finding cures to some of the world's most
life-threatening diseases."
With the latest system software update expected to become available at
the end of March, the Folding@home icon will be added to the Network menu
of the XMB(TM) (XrossMediaBar). PS3 users can join the program by simply
clicking on the Folding@home icon or can optionally set the application to
run automatically whenever PS3 is idle (*1).
Starting with Folding@home, SCE will continue to support distributed
computing projects in a wide variety of academic fields such as medical and
social sciences and environmental studies throughout the use of PS3 and
hopes to contribute to the advancement of science.
(*1) To run the application automatically in idle state, PS3 must be
connected to the network with both the main power switch and power button
turned on. Option setting must also be changed as this automatic feature is
off at default.
About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the
entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation(R) and PS one(R) game console,
the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, the PSP(R)
(PlayStation(R)Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION(R)3
(PS3(TM)) computer entertainment system.
Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and
develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game
console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system
and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City,
Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for
all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony
Computer Entertainment Inc.
Visit us on the Web at http://www.playstation.com
NOTE: "PlayStation", "PLAYSTATION", "PSP," "PS one" are registered
trademarks and "PS3", "Cell Broadband Engine" and "XMB" are trademarks of
Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
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