Ganesh Balasubramanian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is conducting research with High Performance Computing (HPC) that could someday change the way tumors are treated. Using HPC technology, a surgeon could treat a tumor through chemical injections rather than radiation. HPC technology can compute a much higher volume of atoms than a regular computer, which allows Balasubramanian to study molecular systems, or nanomaterials. The research group is also using HPC to create new materials or adapt existing ones. “We are gaining a fundamental understanding of molecular properties that can contribute at the bulk level, to help create new materials,” Balasubramanian said. His research team includes three PhD students, one master’s level student, and one undergraduate student.