IBM today announced that the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) will begin to use IBM’s next-generation Blue Gene supercomputer to enable significant advances in areas such as understanding global climate change and exploring the evolution of our universe.
The 10-petaflop IBM Blue Gene/Q supercomputer, named “Mira,” will be operational in 2012 and capable of running programs at 10 quadrillion calculations a second, 20 times faster than Argonne’s current supercomputer, Intrepid.
“If every man, woman and child in the United States performed one calculation each second, it would take them almost a year to do as many calculations as Mira will do in one second.”
Blue Gene is one of 100 Icons of Progress in IBM’s 100-year history because it is a radical departure from the supercomputers of its time, consuming only a fraction of the energy and floor space. The system is part of a collaboration between Argonne, IBM, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
Blue Gene’s speed and expandability have enabled industry and the scientific community to address a wide range of complex problems and make more informed decisions.
Applications and Impact
The Blue Gene/Q supercomputer, Mira, is expected to revolutionize various scientific fields. One of the primary applications of Mira will be in climate modeling. By simulating the Earth’s climate with unprecedented accuracy, researchers can better understand the impacts of climate change and develop strategies to mitigate its effects. This capability is crucial for policymakers and environmentalists who are working to combat global warming.
In addition to climate science, Mira will play a significant role in astrophysics. By simulating the evolution of the universe, scientists can gain insights into the formation of galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. This research can help answer fundamental questions about the origins of the universe and the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
Moreover, Mira’s computational power will be invaluable in the field of materials science. Researchers can use the supercomputer to model the behavior of materials at the atomic level, leading to the development of new materials with unique properties. These advancements can have wide-ranging applications, from more efficient batteries to stronger and lighter construction materials.
Technological Advancements
The Blue Gene/Q architecture represents a significant technological leap. One of the key features of Mira is its energy efficiency. Despite its immense computational power, Mira consumes far less energy than traditional supercomputers. This efficiency is achieved through innovative cooling techniques and energy-saving processors, making Mira a more sustainable option for high-performance computing.
Another notable aspect of Mira is its scalability. The system is designed to be easily expandable, allowing researchers to increase its computational capacity as needed. This flexibility ensures that Mira can keep pace with the growing demands of scientific research and technological development.
Furthermore, Mira’s architecture is designed to support a wide range of applications. From running complex simulations to analyzing vast datasets, Mira can handle diverse computational tasks with ease. This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for researchers across various disciplines.
The collaboration between Argonne, IBM, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing scientific research. By pooling their expertise and resources, these institutions are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with supercomputing technology.
The IBM Blue Gene/Q supercomputer, Mira, represents a significant milestone in the field of high-performance computing. Its unparalleled computational power, energy efficiency, and versatility make it a game-changer for scientific research. As Mira becomes operational, it will undoubtedly drive breakthroughs in climate science, astrophysics, materials science, and beyond, helping us better understand and address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Via Engadget
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