In
Journalism 199 we have done a lot of science exploration over the past months,
yet probably the most exciting occurrence happened within the first month of
the course. It was something straight out of science fiction, something scene
only in movies like War Games or 2001: A Space Odyssey. In early October we were allowed to enter the
National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NSCA), located on the
University of Illinois campus, and witness one of the fastest computers known
to mankind, Blue Waters.
Blue
Waters is one the few super computers existing that can calculate data by
quadrillions, measured as about 1 petaflop. This outstanding amount of data can
be used to calculate and image natural phenomena such as hurricanes and tornadoes, supernovae, the formation of
galaxies, earthquakes, and more. However,
currently the super computer, as it stands, remains incomplete. Yet despite
lacking full capacity it has already had an amazing impact upon the world of
science. According to article displayed on the NCSA website, with just 15% of Blue Waters running, scientists
were able to make a fantastic breakthrough in the study of HIV virus. According
to the article scientists were able discover new facets of the virus, shocking
even the researchers themselves.
Such discoveries with only a fraction of the
supercomputer available have left scientists in a tizzy. Already over 30
projects are scheduled to begin using the supercomputer when it becomes
available. These projects include minor events like accelerating
nano-scale transistor innovation and simulating vesicle fusion on Blue Waters
but can also include slightly bigger projects like the evolution of the small
galaxy population from high redshift to the present. It is clear to all that
Blue Waters will be making a sensational impact on the science community,
though many of the scientists using it will not have even seen the machine they
are using. In that regard the first semester 2012-2013 Journalism 199 class
will be a step ahead of them.
--By: Kevin Birmingham
I also did a post about Blue Waters because of how much information we learned on the tour. It's interesting that we had the same topic, but yet, our posts are totally different. That's why science, to me, is so interesting. There are so many different aspects to one topic. And even though science has proven facts, there is still room for discussion and controversy.
ReplyDeleteI like that you talked about specifically what they do with the supercomputers. It's nice to know such an expensive computer isn't being used for mediocre topics and that it is doing wonderful things in advancing in the science world.
Great article!
I like how you talked about what scientists even use the computers for. I bet when someone hears the term "supercomputer" they just think of a big computer screen that loads Facebook quicker. Also, the wording and terminology is easy to understand.
ReplyDeleteI like how you incorporated the new information that was not mention when our class was on the field trip.
ReplyDeleteI like your metaphor of War Games or 2001: A Space Odyssey, because then it would put people who have never been there, there because they could relate to it.