Folding@Home is a brand new platform that has been launched, and is publicly available for download in an effort to learn more about and help combat COVID-19. At a basic level, the platform combines the power of the many personal computers that exist throughout the world into one powerful system. As Folding@Home describes it, “Together, we have created the most powerful supercomputer on the planet, and are using it to help understand SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 and develop new therapies.” This system allows for personal computers to run simulations while they are sitting idle, helping to fast-pace the research efforts that require so much money and hardware to do.

Personally, I see this as an amazing use of the astronomical quantity of personal computers that are often doing nothing. The idea is very similar to bitcoin mining. One simply downloads the required software, and lets it run while they are away from the computer. The only major difference, bitcoin mining makes money, and running protein simulations fast-tracks COVID cures and therapy. With the impact COVID-19 has had on all of our lives, this is a great way to contribute to helping life return to normal.

I think this concept is actually a little late to the forefront. While it became a popular platform for bitcoin mining, and has now moved to COVID research, I think there are many other applications where this concept could be used. There are lots of important tasks that can be carried out with this kind of computing power, and I’m excited to see where the idea leads in the future.

Source: https://foldingathome.org/