“`html
AI and Supercomputing Power Next-Gen Scientific Breakthroughs with New ‘Doudna’ Machine
Table of Contents
Artificial intelligence and supercomputing are dramatically accelerating the pace of scientific discovery, a trend exemplified by a new partnership between the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Dell Technologies. the collaboration has yielded “Doudna,” a high-performance computing system poised to deliver a tenfold increase in performance for complex scientific workflows.
NERSC and Dell leaders recently discussed their collaboration during an exclusive broadcast at SC25, hosted by theCUBE’s Dave Vellante and Jackie McGuire. The discussion highlighted how AI is reshaping scientific exploration and the synergistic benefits of the NERSC-Dell partnership.
From Modeling to Data harmony
Historically focused on modeling and simulation, NERSC is now navigating an era of unprecedented data volume. This shift necessitates a new approach, one centered on harmonizing vast datasets and orchestrating intricate workflows. According to a Dell representative, the core goal with Doudna is to efficiently manage and analyze this influx of information.
“One of the things this machine’s going to be able to do is digest enormous amounts of data,” a company spokesperson explained. “The granularity and resolution of instrumentation across various scientific domains are increasing exponentially, leading to a massive surge in information every year.”
Doudna: A sustainable and AI-Driven Powerhouse
Doudna is built upon Nvidia’s Vera Rubin platform and dell’s IR7000 rack infrastructure, incorporating water-cooling technology for enhanced sustainability. NERSC is also implementing dry chillers, a strategy that reduces water consumption – a critical consideration for its Northern California location – even if it slightly impacts energy efficiency.
The machine’s capabilities extend beyond raw processing power, deeply integrating artificial intelligence.A senior NERSC official emphasized the focus on leveraging machine analytics for real-time data analysis.
“it’s not just about AI,” the official stated.”it’s about running these very complex workflows – transferring data, running simulations to guide experiments, and receiving immediate feedback. Such as,a telescope operator needs to quickly refocus,or an experimenter needs rapid data to adjust their approach.”
A Paradigm Shift in Scientific Access
The collaboration between Dell and NERSC signifies a broader industry shift,lowering the barriers to entry for scientific research.According to both NERSC and Dell representatives, the accelerating pace of discovery is being further fueled by advancements in AI and data analysis.
“The barrier of entry to do scientific research is much lower now,” a Dell leader noted. “NERSC is actively empowering researchers with the tools and knowledge to maximize the potential of these advanced machines.”
The deployment of Doudna is planned for the end of 2026, and will serve over 11,000 users. A NERSC official stated, “We have to take our vast user community…with us as we deploy every system. It requires a close collaboration with Doudna, which we’re planning to deploy at the end of 2026. It really requires a great collaboration with Dell and with nvidia because there are a lot of new capabilities.”
You can view the complete interview with NERSC and Dell representatives, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of SC25, [here](
