Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)
The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) at the University of Utah is a transdisciplinary research institute developing open-source scientific computing, imaging, and visualization software (FEBio, ShapeWorks, FluoRender, reVISit) and serving academic researchers, healthcare institutions, and NSF facilities with high-performance computing infrastructure and AI-driven research methods.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSalt Lake City, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) does
The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) is a transdisciplinary research institute within the University of Utah, established in 1996, that conducts fundamental and applied research across five interconnected domains: Large-Scale Systems, Fundamental Algorithms/Applied Math, Visualization, Computational X, and Imaging. The institute comprises approximately 200 faculty, staff, and students, and operates the Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC), the One-U Responsible AI Initiative, and co-leads the National Data Platform with the San Diego Supercomputer Center. SCI's research output includes approximately 4,000 publications, 47 publication awards, 66 state and national awards, and the Redtail AI factory supercomputer (ranked No. 159 on Top500 and No. 76 for energy efficiency).
SCI develops and maintains a portfolio of open-source scientific computing software serving global academic and research communities. Core products include FEBio (a finite element biomechanics simulator with 20,000 registered users, 100,000+ downloads, and 840+ referencing publications, supported by NIH since 2008), ShapeWorks (statistical shape analysis), FluoRender (multi-volume fluorescence microscopy visualization), and reVISit (visualization user study framework, launched 2024). These tools support research in computational anatomy, biomechanics, fluid dynamics, medical imaging, cardiac digital twins, cancer prediction, and AI-driven scientific discovery. The technology stack combines proprietary algorithms with a GPU-accelerated HPC infrastructure and partnerships with NVIDIA and HPE.
SCI is a non-commercial university research institute and does not generate commercial product revenue. Operating funding derives from federal research grants (NIH, NSF, DOE, DARPA), state appropriations from the State of Utah, philanthropic contributions (including the Huntsman Cancer Foundation lead gift), and collaborative research agreements with industry partners including NVIDIA, HPE, Micron, and PacifiCorp. Compute, software, and research services are made available to academic collaborators, NSF facilities, and partner institutions through grant-funded arrangements and institutional agreements rather than commercial licensing.
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)
- Legal name
- Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)
- Website
- https://sci.utah.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) at the University of Utah is a transdisciplinary research institute developing open-source scientific computing, imaging, and visualization software (FEBio, ShapeWorks, FluoRender, reVISit) and serving academic researchers, healthcare institutions, and NSF facilities with high-performance computing infrastructure and AI-driven research methods.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific Computing Research
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Processing & Data Preparation (7374), Electronic Computers (3571)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences) (EDAHABAB), STEM-Focused Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAE), Health & Biomedical Research Universities (Academic Medical Center–Affiliated) (EDAHABAC)
Keywords
Where Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salt Lake City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Federal Research Grants: Primary funding from federal agencies including NIH, NSF, DOE, and DARPA. Grants fund specific research projects, infrastructure development, and collaborative initiatives.
- State of Utah Funding: State-level investments in AI and computing initiatives, including the $500,000 investment in coal-to-carbon research and broader transformational AI investments.
- Philanthropic Gifts: Private donations and foundation grants, including the Huntsman family foundation lead gift for AI ecosystem development and broader $50M public-philanthropic AI investment.
- Software and Technology Licensing: Open-source software distribution (FEBio, ShapeWorks, FluoRender, reVISit) with potential for licensing and commercial partnerships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Research collaboration and access to computing resources are provided to academic and institutional partners through grant-funded arrangements |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SCI Institute is a research institute at the University of Utah conducting transdisciplinary research in scientific computing, imaging, visualization, and high-performance computing. It develops and distributes open-source software (FEBio, ShapeWorks, FluoRender, reVISit) to the global research community and operates the Center for High Performance Computing to provide advanced cyberinfrastructure to university researchers and partner institutions.
Product overview
The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) at the University of Utah develops a portfolio of open-source software tools for computational science, visualization, and imaging research. The core offerings include FEBio for biomechanics simulation, ShapeWorks for statistical shape analysis, reVISit for visualization research, and FluoRender for microscopy visualization. These tools are complemented by the National Data Platform (NDP) for research data management and xiRAID for storage deployments. SCI's approach is research-driven, focusing on fundamental algorithms, applied mathematics, and computational methods rather than commercial product development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- FEBio (Finite Elements for Biomechanics) Open-source finite element analysis software for biomechanics and mechanobiology research, providing physics-based simulation capabilities for biological tissues using mixture theory for multi-constituent systems; supported by NIH since 2008 and used by 20,000 registered users globally.
- ShapeWorks Open-source software tool for statistical shape analysis, enabling researchers to analyze variations in anatomical structures across populations using deformable mesh models.
- reVISit Open-source platform for conducting online user studies of visualizations, supporting the full experiment lifecycle from design through data collection and analysis.
- FluoRender Open-source visualization tool for multi-volume fluorescence microscopy data, funded for ongoing development to support advanced biological imaging analysis.
- National Data Platform (NDP) National research data infrastructure platform co-developed with SDSC for managing, sharing, and analyzing large-scale scientific datasets; recognized with HPCwire Readers' and Editors' Choice Award in 2024.
- Center for High Performance Computing (CHPC) High-performance computing and data support infrastructure for the University of Utah, including the Redtail AI factory supercomputer. Provides research computing resources to 1,100+ principal investigators at the University of Utah and approximately 7,000 researchers across multiple Utah institutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- ~4,000 publications produced across the institute's history
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability9 records
Feature7 records
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NVIDIAcoreNVIDIA is a key technology partner providing AI chip expertise for the University's AI ecosystem. The $50M AI initiative includes NVIDIA-designed systems for cancer research, Alzheimer's, mental health, and genetics. NVIDIA also partners on workforce development through the Deep Learning Institute University Ambassador Program for Utah teachers. The University also benefits from GPU procurement at discounted prices through the partnership.
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)coreHPE is a key technology partner in the University's $50M AI ecosystem, providing infrastructure and systems alongside NVIDIA chips to amplify computing capacity for medical research in cancer, Alzheimer's, mental health, and genetics. The multi-year initiative aims to build a scalable AI ecosystem.
- Rochester Institute of TechnologyminorAcademic partner in Rohan Basu Roy's Genesis Mission project on dispatchable data centers and AI-driven workload flexibility.
- Argonne National LaboratoryminorNational laboratory partner in Rohan Basu Roy's Genesis Mission project, collaborating on AI-driven grid-aware computing.
- PacifiCorpminorIndustry partner in Rohan Basu Roy's Genesis Mission project focused on dispatchable data centers for grid-aware load shaping.
- Micron TechnologyminorIndustry partner in Rohan Basu Roy's Genesis Mission project providing expertise on memory and storage for AI workloads.
- University College London, Augusta University, Boston University, University College Dublin, Yale University, University of OxfordcoreSeven-institution international network (ARTIST) for vascular research led by Leducq Foundation $8.5M grant. SCI's Tamara Bidone collaborates with researchers across the US and UK on treatments for peripheral artery disease using AI-guided therapies.
- San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC)coreSCI and SDSC co-lead the National Data Platform (NDP), a national-scale pilot aimed at making scientific data access open and equitable across a broad range of communities including traditionally underrepresented researchers. Recognized with HPCwire award in 2024.
- Seal Storage TechnologyminorPartnership enabling access to over 200TB of NASA climate data through SCI Institute, accessible to researchers worldwide with zero egress fees for democratizing climate data.
- Trusted Precision Computing ConsortiumminorNew international consortium formed to create trustworthy cyberinfrastructure, with over 500 participants from nearly 70 organizations worldwide working on governance and membership processes.
- NASAminorNASA climate data (200+TB) accessible through Seal Storage partnership with SCI Institute, enabling researchers worldwide to access and visualize climate data with zero egress fees.
- Indiana University, Texas Tech University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of Southern CaliforniacorePartner universities in CI Compass, an NSF Center of Excellence led by U's Valerio Pascucci, dedicated to helping 25 NSF major research facilities (IceCube, NSCL, OOI, LIGO, etc.) manage their data lifecycle more effectively. Funded by $8M NSF grant.
Scale indicators17 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- MathWorks: Commercial developer of MATLAB and Simulink widely used by SCI's researcher community for applied mathematics and algorithm development. Adjacent commercial peer in the scientific computing software stack, but not a direct competitor since SCI distributes open-source research tools.
- COMSOL: Commercial multiphysics simulation software company with deep use in biomechanics, fluid dynamics, and engineering - domains where SCI's FEBio and ShapeWorks operate. Adjacent commercial peer that overlaps in scientific computing for applied physics but does not directly compete in the open-source research community.
Direct peers
- Kitware: Commercial open-source scientific computing company behind ParaView, VTK, CMake, and 3D Slicer - all widely used in SCI's domains of scientific visualization and medical imaging analysis. Direct peer in the open-source scientific computing software ecosystem, though structured as a commercial firm rather than a university institute.
- National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA): University of Illinois's pioneering HPC center (home of Blue Waters) operating one of the largest academic supercomputing facilities in the US. Comparable in academic supercomputing, open-source software portfolio, visualization research, and federal-grant-driven operating model.
- Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC): Joint Carnegie Mellon-University of Pittsburgh HPC center providing supercomputing resources and research software (including biomedical/neuroscience applications like NEURON). Directly comparable academic HPC peer with similar biomedical-computing overlap and NSF funding profile.
- San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC): UC San Diego's HPC and data science research center; co-leads the National Data Platform with SCI and operates one of the nation's leading academic supercomputing centers. Most direct comparable peer given shared mission, co-developed platform, and federal grant funding model.
- Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC): University of Texas at Austin's HPC center operating flagship systems (Frontera, Stampede) and serving thousands of researchers nationwide. Closely comparable in academic-HPC-plus-research-software mission, federal funding mix, and user-community scale.
Emerging players
- Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT): Partner on SCI's Genesis Mission project on dispatchable data centers; RIT has growing research strength in scientific computing, imaging, and color science. Comparable as a university-based research partner rather than a direct competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory operating NERSC and the Energy Sciences Network, with major programs in computational biology, climate science, and materials science. Overlapping mission in scientific computing for energy and life sciences with much larger scale.
- Argonne National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory operating Leadership Computing Facility (Aurora) and extensive computational science programs. A partner on SCI's Genesis Mission grid-aware computing project; broader in scope than SCI but comparable in large-scale scientific computing, visualization, and AI-for-science mandate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat7 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) social profiles
Digital presenceScientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)
What does Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) do?
SCI Institute is a research institute at the University of Utah conducting transdisciplinary research in scientific computing, imaging, visualization, and high-performance computing. It develops and distributes open-source software (FEBio, ShapeWorks, FluoRender, reVISit) to the global research community and operates the Center for High Performance Computing to provide advanced cyberinfrastructure to university researchers and partner institutions.
Is Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) a public or private company?
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) founded?
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) was founded in 1996. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) based?
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) is headquartered in Salt Lake City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Federal Research Grants are the primary driver. The others are state of Utah Funding, philanthropic Gifts and software and Technology Licensing.
Who are Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)'s main competitors?
Others on record are MathWorks and COMSOL. Direct peers are Kitware, National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) and Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory.
Does Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI).
What industry is Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI) in?
Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI)'s product category is Scientific Computing Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAK, Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus, with a secondary code of EDAHABAB, STEM-Focused Research Universities (Engineering & Applied Sciences). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 7374.