Scientific Computing

Computational science, or scientific computing, focuses on mathematical models and quantitative analyses to solve scientific problems. The approach here is to gain knowledge through analysis of mathematical models implemented with computers. 

Scientists at ETH Zurich, collaborating with IBM Research, Technical University of Munich and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have set a new record in fluid dynamic super computing using one of the fastest computer in the world, the Sequoia IBM BlueGene/Q. The team employed 13 trillion cells and reached a 14.4 Petaflop sustained performance. This is 73% of the theoretical peak! With a 200-fold improvement over previous research, it paves the way for cloud cavitation. Cloud cavitation happens when vapor cavities form in a liquid due to the pressure change. Damaging shockwaves can be created when the bubbles implode.

The simulation helped resolved many situations associated with the collapsing of bubbles, such as the shattering of kidney stones or design improving for high-pressure fuel injectors. Another area that this simulation can help improve upon is cancer treatment, specifically destroying tumorous cells or delivering drugs to a very precise location. It is pretty obvious to see how impactful this area of computer science can be for many aspects of our future.