The powerful Cell microprocessor that fuels Sony’s PlayStation 3 game console is all set to become available in IBM mainframes.

IBM has announced its plans of getting into a cross-company project that will integrate the Cell Broadband Engine (Cell/B.E.) with the IBM mainframe to create a powerful hybrid with security features designed to handle a whole new generation of “virtual world” applications such as the 3D Internet.

Since the Cell Broadband Engine has an unusual architecture, the Cell’s use outside of PlayStation has been limited to specialized hardware for graphics-intensive functions including military, aerospace, and defense and medical applications.