by Ken Chiacchia | Apr 3, 2026 | Anniversary, Science Highlights
The link between the Cray Y-MP and the Connection Machine CM-2 paved the way for high-performancing parallel interfacing between supercomputers. Pictured here, the Cray T3D system is installed, which was connected with a data-transfer link to the Cray C90. 1991 Union...
by Ken Chiacchia | Mar 13, 2026 | Bridges-2, Science Highlights
Octopuses’ arms can move in amazingly complex ways — and may be a better model than human arms for robots. Virtual Octopus Arm Shows Complex Movements Can Be Governed by Surprisingly Simple Programming While controlling the simple joints of a robot in human shape is...
by Ken Chiacchia | Feb 19, 2026 | Anniversary, Science Highlights
An early simulation with PSC’s second supercomputer, the Cray Y-MP, showed that carbon fiber was a plausible replacement for increasingly rare Norway spruce in crafting string instruments. CMU Project in 1988 Used PSC’s Cray Y-MP to Show Violin Top Plates of Carbon...
by Ken Chiacchia | Feb 12, 2026 | Research, Science Highlights
A 3D rendering of the delicate components of a quantum computer. Artificial Intelligence Improves Monte Carlo Simulations of Quantum Dots, Improving Accuracy of Storing and Reading Information Quantum computers promise a giant leap forward in computing power — maybe....
by Ken Chiacchia | Jan 15, 2026 | Anniversary, Science Highlights
“Pop art”: The Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corporation used the Cray X-MP supercomputer to design the beverage can we know today. Credit: Emily Voelker/PSC 1987 Alcoa Work with PSC Supercomputer Helped Set Stage for Industrial Supercomputing Design Revolution...
