Cutting-edge advances are underway with the launch of the GW4 Isambard 3 supercomputer, unveiled on December 4, 2024, at the National Composites Centre located on Bristol and Bath Science Park. This monumental step forward for high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize various fields such as clean energy, fusion reactor modeling, and smart wind farm design.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Isambard 3 is backed by £10 million funding from the collaborative efforts of GW4 universities—Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, and Exeter—in partnership with tech titans Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), NVIDIA, and Arm. Unlike its predecessors, Isambard 1 and 2, Isambard 3 showcases the latest Arm Neoverse-based NVIDIA Grace CPU Superchip technology, boasting over 55,000 cores and delivering more than six times the computational performance and energy efficiency of Isambard 2.
One of the supercomputer’s most impressive features is its capacity for waste energy reuse, allowing the system to function as one of the most energy-efficient CPU-based supercomputers globally. Intended to address the growing need for high-capacity computing, Isambard 3 is set to significantly impact research through its innovative architecture and intelligent data handling.
Previously, Isambard 1 and 2 played pivotal roles, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, aiding vaccine development by analyzing virus interactions. Now, with Isambard 3 online, researchers across the UK and internationally can maximize technology access, tapping its potential to heighten performance and energy efficiency.
Notable voices from the academic and technology communities have expressed enthusiasm about this launch. Professor Simon McIntosh-Smith, Director of the Bristol Centre for Supercomputing, emphasized the transition to cutting-edge research with Isambard 3, supporting collaborations worldwide. "Our work across GW4 Isambard 1 & 2 has already pushed the boundaries of scientific research, and Isambard 3 will take this research to the next level," stated McIntosh-Smith.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bristol and Chair of the GW4 Council, recognized the launch as instrumental for the UK to achieve its ambition as a scientific leader. Dr. Joanna Jenkinson, the GW4 Alliance Director, highlighted the collaborative efforts demonstrating the impact of industrial and academic partnerships.
Similarly, announcements were made at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) where the IBM Power System AC922, Summit, celebrated its extended operational life for another year. Initially slated for decommissioning after five years, Summit was retained to continue assisting researchers due to its remarkable performance and demand. A new allocation program, SummitPLUS, was introduced to facilitate access to 19 million hours of compute time for participating researchers.
This decision by the OLCF highlighted Summit’s continuing role, serving 108 projects across various scientific fields, proving its worth. One such landmark project centered on breaking ground for Alzheimer's research. Scientists from Howard University are exploring whether amyloid fibrils, often linked to degenerative diseases, could serve as protective mechanisms rather than mere indicators of pathology.
Utilizing Summit’s computational prowess, theoretical physicist Philip Kurian’s team focused on quantum optical behaviors, determining how these fibrils might absorb harmful UV radiation and re-emit it at safer wavelengths. "Our access to Summit has enabled the numerical simulation of huge mega-architectures of quantum optical networks," Kurian stated, illustrating the unique opportunities open to researchers.
Further endeavors using Summit included predictive modeling of neutron stars and black holes, led by teams from the University of Toronto and Caltech. Through simulations, they could expect to identify electromagnetic emissions—essentially 'signatures'—from cosmic events, laying groundwork for multi-messenger astrophysics, which is key to detecting and analyzing celestial phenomena.
A notable experiment aimed at fostering new drug designs involved examining the immunosuppressant cyclosporine A, which effectively crosses cell membranes. The team measured how various conformations affect permeability, working to establish methodologies for simulating large molecules. This could revolutionize large-molecule pharmaceuticals.
Innovative aerospace concepts also came to fruition through Summit’s capabilities. Whisper Aero, aiming for quieter and more efficient regional travel, used supercomputing to advance their electric ducted fan technology and improve the designs of their Whisper Jet aircraft concept.
From the advancements at GW4 Isambard 3 to the continuation of noteworthy research at Oak Ridge, it’s clear the integration of supercomputing technology is becoming indispensable for various sectors, heralding new frontiers of knowledge and efficiency.
