Gophy: Novel Proof-of-Useful-Work blockchain architecture for High Energy Physics

In this short paper, a novel architecture for Proof-of-Useful-Work blockchain consensus which aims to replace hash-based block problems with Monte Carlo simulation-based block problems to donate computational power to real-world HEP experiments is described. Design decisions are detailed and challenges are addressed. The architecture has been implemented using Golang and can be run inside the CbmRoot software environment. The goal is to create a bridge between the scientific HEP and blockchain communities to build a novel blockchain network in which the network’s computational power is not wasted like in hash-based Proof-of-Work, but instead used to support a scientific experiment while at the same time securing the underlying permissioned blockchain. The blockchain features a token-based cryptocurrency that is rewarded to miners that donate computational power and acts as an additional incentive to participate which traditional volunteer computing can not provide. The implementation named Gophy is open-source and can be found on Github. [1]