Intel unveiled a software program that lets Facebook users devote spare computer processing power to researching diseases or climate change. Intel unveiled a software program that lets Facebook users devote spare computer processing power to researching diseases or climate change. The world's largest computer chip company teamed with nonprofit group GridRepublic to create a "Progress Thru Processors" application based on the popular online social networking service's operating platform. The application enables Facebook users to allot idle computing power to work on projects for Rosetta@home, Climateprediction.net or Africa@home. Rosetta@home uses donated computing power to seek cures for cancer, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's and other diseases. Climateprediction.net seeks to enhance understanding of climate change by predicting and testing weather models. Africa@home is focused on finding effective ways to combat malaria by studying simulation models of disease transmission and the potential impact of new drugs and vaccines.

A beta, or test, version of the application was launched online at facebook.com/progressthruprocessors. The application is designed to run unnoticed as a background process on computers, according to Intel.