|
Formula 1 drivers are trained to handle high-speed racing cars and get the best out of them. Similarly, supercomputers need specialists to coax the best results out of their considerable computing power. Dr Happy Sithole, director of the CHPC explains, “High performance computing is a powerful tool used by researchers in many different domains. It allows researchers to experiment by using simulations. It also speeds up the time required to process huge amounts of data.”
Young people interested in becoming supercomputer users would do well to keep up with mathematics and physics at school in anticipation of pursuing a degree at university. The CHPC has an outreach programme that introduces interested learners to the basic principles of computer hardware and software.
 |
Researchers with a vision for making a difference and who need to process significant amounts of data, can be trained to use supercomputers by specialists in the field. Albert Gazendam, research group leader of the CSIR’s Cluster Computing Centre (C4), explains, “More and more disciplines require researchers to tackle problems in fields such as quantum mechanical physics, weather forecasting, climate research, molecular modelling (computing the structures and properties of chemical compounds, biological macromolecules, polymers, and crystals), physical simulations (such as simulation of airplanes in wind tunnels, simulation of the detonation of nuclear weapons, and research into nuclear fusion), cryptanalysis, and many others. Major universities, military agencies and scientific research laboratories are heavy users.”
 |
The current world economic downturn has resulted in countries and companies having to redesign themselves and consequently their products---whether next-generation aircraft, motor vehicles, household appliances and consumables (even infants' diapers), drugs and telecommunications. Major world challenges such as climate change, effectively managing health issues (e.g. scans), energy and food security, national and international security concerns are dependent on these tools for their solutions.
Apart from the those responsible for running supercomputers, researchers in any of the domains mentioned above may specialise in supercomputing.
Training courses are offered by supercomputing facilities around the world for graduate students and researchers.
|
