VIENNA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The opening of the Danube Center for Atomistic Modeling in Vienna on Friday is set to aid researchers with atomic and molecular simulations for research and education.

Scientists from the University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Technology, and the University of Agricultural Sciences will benefit from the center, which will speed up research processes and make them more cost-effective.

Testing the surface properties of catalysts previously required production of such material in a laboratory and subsequent investigation.

Gerhard Karl from the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the Vienna University of Technology told the APA on Wednesday that the new technology would allow "the material to be generated in a computer, the properties to then be examined and the attempt made to adjust the parameters so that desired properties result."

He added that aside from saving time and money, the modeling would also provide "a deeper understanding of processes at the microscopic level."

In the area of computer-based materials science, Vienna ranks amongst the global leaders, having already received several "starting grants" awarded by the European Research Council.