University Displays New Supercomputer
By Christopher Nickson
May 05, 2008
A new machine that can make 37 trillion calculations each second has been unveiled by Bristol University.
A number of companies, including IBM, have been working together on a new supercomputer that was rolled out by Bristol University in England. Capable of 37 trillion calculations each second, Blue Crystal – as it’s known – will be used to help with research on aerospace engineering, climate change and drug design.
With a $14 million price tag it’s unlikely to be affordable to run those games really fast in your living room, however.
"Serious research in many disciplines can no longer be undertaken without high performance computing, and the University has recognized this through its investment in BlueCrystal," according to the director of Bristol's advanced computing research centre, Dr. Ian Stewart. "HPC-based research contributes significantly to University research income and will play an increasingly important role in teaching."