BOINC is an Open-source software that enables you to easily participate in various Distributed Computing projects.
Research being done using BOINC includes searching a cure for cancer, finding pulsars, creating a map of the universe, searching for extraterrestrial life and finding prime numbers.
Besides being a passionate cruncher, I utilize BOINC to mine Gridcoins. Gridcoin is a cryptocurrency which solves Proof Of Work.
My BOINC badges: