Intel has come up with a rather novel way for Facebook users to contribute to worthy causes like climate change and cancer research. The best bit is that it won’t take up any of your Facebook time either.

Progress Thru Processors is a volunteer computing application built on the Facebook platform that was launched in beta yesterday. The app lets you donate some of your PC\'s unused processor power. This processor power is then pooled to handle the complex calculations that research into cancer and climate change often requires. Even better is that the application will only activate when your PC\'s performance is not being fully utilised.

All you need to do is head over to Progress Thru Processors on Facebook, create an account, choose your research project and download the application (9.72 MB). Once you have the application you can install it, set your preferences and monitor your contribution via an app on your Facebook profile.

You can choose to assign processor power to a number of research projects including Rosetta@home, Climateprediction.net and Africa@home.