Bert and Ernie

Welcome to the Computational Server!

What is it?
Bert and Ernie is a computer cluster located in the basement of the Nobel Hall of Science on the Gustavus Adolphus College campus. It provides computational tools for the chemists at GAC. The photo on the left shows the cluster's 17 Opteron-powered servers. Currently, the system is maintained by Steve Miller (smiller3@gac.edu) and Nathaniel Swenson '09 (nswenson@gac.edu).

Why is it called "Bert and Ernie"?
Each server in the cluster is equipped with two processors. While having dual processors is more common today, it was more impressive at the time the equipment was purchased. The name "Bert and Ernie" was chosen to emphasize the dual-processor nature of these computers. One of the processors was Bert and the other Ernie.

Having technical difficulties?
I want to know immediately so I can fix it. E-mail me at nswenson@gac.edu.
Cluster Cam - NEW!

Molecule of the Week!
Week of November 1, 2009

This week's Molecule of the Week is D-limonene! Limonene is a terpene, consisting of two isoprene units, is found in considerable quantities in the rinds of citrus fruits, and is mostly responsible for the way they smell. The biological process that produces this molecule is stereospecific, and thus only the D- (a.k.a. (+)-) enantiomer is formed naturally.

Limonene is used in industry in cosmetic products, food and medicine manufacturing, a solvent for cleaning purposes, and as a precursor to carvone. Limonene is a flammable liquid and a mild skin and eye irritant.

Formula: C₁₀H₁₆ Molecular Weight: 136.24 g/mol

Melting Point: -74.35 °C Density: 0.8411 g/mL

Boiling Point: 176 °C Appearance: Colorless liquid.

Optical Activity: [α]20/D +115.5±1°, c = 10% in ethanol