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Supercomputer Hunter Unveiled in Stuttgart

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Blood circulation through arteries and wind farm efficiency are among the complex problems that the new supercomputer ‘Hunter’ at the University of Stuttgart aims to address. With an investment of 15 million euros, it surpasses its predecessor in speed and energy efficiency, performing calculations with the power of a million smartphones. ‘Hunter’ assists various industries and research, while preparations are underway for the even more powerful ‘Herder’, expected in two years.

How does blood circulate through an artery? What strategies enhance the efficiency of a wind farm? Remarkably powerful computers, including the cutting-edge supercomputer ‘Hunter’ in Stuttgart, can provide answers to these questions.

The High-Performance Computing Center (HLRS) at the University of Stuttgart has unveiled its latest supercomputer, which boasts extraordinary computational capabilities. To put it into perspective, if ‘Hunter’ were tasked with performing as many calculations as there have been seconds since the Big Bang, it could complete them in just one second. Only two other supercomputers in Germany can match its speed.

Capabilities of the Supercomputer ‘Hunter’

This impressive machine, with an investment of 15 million euros, opens doors to computational challenges that were previously insurmountable. It can analyze the durability of new materials in fields such as aerospace engineering, model the spread of pandemics, assess the occupancy rates of intensive care units, and study how climate change affects weather patterns. ‘Hunter’ is pivotal for extensive applications in simulation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analysis.

Additionally, OpenAI is exploring the potential for humans to guide a digital ‘superintelligence’, which emphasizes the relevance of such advanced computational power.

Speed and Efficiency of ‘Hunter’

‘Hunter’ has taken the crown from its predecessor, ‘Hawk’, which was the fastest supercomputer in Germany until five years ago. After its decommissioning last year to make way for the new system, ‘Hunter’ now ranks as the third fastest supercomputer in the country, behind two systems at the Jülich Research Center.

According to HLRS director Michael Resch, the new generation of supercomputers offers three significant benefits: enhanced multitasking capabilities, the ability to conduct more detailed calculations through increased grid points (resulting in higher resolution models, such as those used in climate science), and the opportunity to innovate and experiment with new ideas.

For example, ‘Hunter’ can simulate blood flow in arteries, contributing to a deeper understanding of why certain patients experience strokes while others do not.

A Million Smartphones Worth of Power

Beyond its speed, ‘Hunter’ is also energy-efficient, consuming merely one-fifth of the energy used by ‘Hawk’. It possesses a computing capacity equivalent to about a million smartphones. However, its size presents challenges; it is too large to fit in the elevator, complicating its delivery. Fortunately, operating this supercomputer is straightforward—access is granted with a simple notebook and code.

Demonstrating Power through Simulation

The capabilities of high-performance computers are showcased by Andreas Ruopp in the HLRS’s demonstration room, known as the Cave. Here, various simulations can be run with greater accuracy and speed in the future. For instance, a weather simulation illustrates nitrogen oxide and fine dust pollution at Stuttgart’s Neckartor, which, due to its bowl-like geography, was once the most polluted intersection in Germany for fine dust levels. This visualization helps understand the impact of wind, weather, and older diesel engines on air quality.

In a similar vein, Elon Musk’s AI startup is also developing its own supercomputer, powered by 100,000 Nvidia chips.

Industrial Applications of ‘Hunter’

The HLRS collaborates with 75 industrial partners, providing access to its supercomputers. This initiative ensures that companies unable to invest in their own supercomputers can still leverage high-speed computing for commercial applications, benefiting a wide range of industries from automotive firms like Porsche to machinery manufacturers like Trumpf.

Looking Ahead: The Next Supercomputer “Herder”

‘Hunter’ serves as a transitional phase, as the University of Stuttgart has already ordered its next supercomputer. Named ‘Herder’, this future model will feature even greater computational power, expected to arrive in two years with speeds ten to fifteen times faster than ‘Hunter’.

This topic was reported by SWR Aktuell Baden-Württemberg on January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM.

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