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John Bluck
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Phone: 650/604-5026, 650/604-9000
jbluck@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Nick Veronico
NASA booth at SC2000, Dallas: 214/853-8922.
RELEASE: 00-74AR
SCIENTISTS PEER INTO FUTURE VIA SUPERCOMPUTER SIMULATIONS
From simulations of
tiny molecular structures to visions of supernovae millions of times bigger
than Earth, NASA computer scientists will demonstrate supercomputing tools
and innovations at an upcoming conference in Dallas, TX.
Visitors can view these
futuristic feats and virtual worlds as well as other supercomputer advancements
at NASA's exhibit during the SC2000 High Performance Computing Conference,
Nov. 4 -10 at the Dallas Convention Center.
"High-performance computing
and networking are critical to NASA's quest to expand frontiers on the Earth,
in the air and in space," said Dr. Eugene Tu, director for NASA's High Performance
Computing and Communications Program at NASA's Ames Research Center, located
in California's Silicon Valley. "From improving our understanding of observational
Earth and space data, to incredible computational models of revolutionary
aerospace vehicles, our planet, and even distant stars, high-performance computing
is absolutely critical to advancing our knowledge."
The 50 by 50 ft. NASA
exhibit will showcase more than 30 supercomputing demonstrations for an expected
5,000 visitors. Scientists and engineers from Ames and four other NASA centers
will demonstrate and explain their latest computer simulations. They range
from medical and geographical imaging, to advanced human-machine interfaces,
aerospace vehicles, supernovae and new learning technologies. A variety of
collaborative-environment technologies that allow scientists and engineers
to develop new procedures and improve existing ones also will be on display.
One demonstration will
show how NASA Ames scientists used supercomputer simulations to help improve
the NASA/DeBakey miniature heart assist pump, leading to human trials with
patients awaiting heart transplants. The experts suggested improvements after
simulating blood flow through the pump using a NASA computer that normally
models airflow around aircraft.
"Travelwulf," a five-processor
supercomputer that fits within a suitcase, will be on display to illustrate
a system that scientists without extensive computer experience can use to
develop complex simulations and data processing. Under development by Clemson
University, Clemson, SC, Travelwulf is part of the "Beowulf" system of remote
sensing. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, and its partners
are developing Beowulf to help scientists analyze an immense amount of Earth
satellite images, and other data.
More efficient analysis
of Earth science data will help researchers better understand problems related
to ocean-atmosphere interactions, the weather and environmental changes.
"These problems typically
exceed the capabilities of traditional computer workstations. In the past,
these studies have required expensive supercomputers to process data and execute
simulation models," said Walt Ligon, who leads Beowulf efforts at Clemson
University. "Beowulf systems have made high-performance computing power affordable
for individual science teams."
Also on display will
be a simulation of an aircraft engine combustor design that will reduce nitrogen-oxide
emissions by 50 percent initially, according to engineers. They expect new
engines with this technology to enter service by 2002. The simulation tool
is part of the National Combustor Code, a joint government-industry effort.
NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, is presenting this simulation.
Complete
exhibit information and links to related materials are available at the SC2000
High Performance Networking and Computing Conference website at:
http://www.sc2000.org
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