Microsoft Research '08

At Microsoft's seventh annual TechFest, the company demonstrated some of its research projects that go beyond the next Windows operating system or Internet Explorer browser. One of the research projects on display was the 10TB World Wide Telescope project, which aims to combine images and information from major telescopes, scientists, and astronomical organizations from around the world, including NASA. Also on display was a new programming language to study cell biology, work on new AIDS vaccines, software to monitor and predict global epidemics, and sensors that monitor the melting of glaciers in the Alps. Microsoft chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie says that Bill Gates has encouraged the company to invest some of its assets in projects that will make a difference even if they do not relate directly to a company product or brand. "That's partly been the motivation to go beyond using computer science to just benefit us as a company," Mundie says. "It's important that we not just make money, but that we contribute to working on these other problems."