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for Integrated Space Weather Modeling is led by Boston University and involves seven other universities and five participating institutions. Research into High-energy electrons produced in Earth's magnetosphere which penetrate the region of space containing orbiting satellites are of current interest. These electrons embed themselves in insulators building up electrical charges akin to static electricity that result in bolts of lightning which can short out electrical systems. Aerospace engineers also are working on developing new materials like glass composites which will prevent amassing electrical charges. Hopefully such advances will prevent untimely destruction as happened in 1997 to an AT&T communications satellite.

These charged particle events affect Earth's surface as well. In 1989 major activity caused electrical currents in the Hydro Quebec power system which shut down the system for eight hours. Why this is so dangerous beyond being inconvenient is that it creates a domino effect which spreads along the grid. As one grid goes down another tries to replace it's output and eventually burns out as well. In this particular incident it nearly spread to the northeast United States. Only taking several grids offline stopped it. Current research can make such impending phenomena known days or even weeks in advance, rather than a matter of hours, allowing preparations to be made to deal with the potential ramifications.

Boston has always been the leader in our nation no matter what area we examine. Whether it was the struggle for independence or creating some of the worlds finest institutions for higher learning. The advancement of science and technology in the modern world is no different. Boston is establishing itself as the hub of American research developing advances to carry not just into the next several years, but the far foreseeable future and Boston University's Center for Computational Sciences is the leader.

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