I don't even know if its so important that the computer is small. What is more important is what it allows us to simulate and what it is a step toward simulating. It allows us to simulate protein folding - which is a major step in developing drugs. It is also a major step toward simulating an entire cell or organelles of a cell. We need this computing power so we can see what effect a drug has without making it, running tests on humans/animals, etc.
Slashdot Mirror
I don't even know if its so important that the computer is small. What is more important is what it allows us to simulate and what it is a step toward simulating. It allows us to simulate protein folding - which is a major step in developing drugs. It is also a major step toward simulating an entire cell or organelles of a cell. We need this computing power so we can see what effect a drug has without making it, running tests on humans/animals, etc.