PSC NEWS
Anton 2, Bridges-2 Simulations Explain Life-Critical Protein in the Brain
Complementary strengths of researchers, computers help identify structure and motions of protein and its electrical conductance through the nerve-cell membrane
Ohio University Simulations on PSC Supercomputer Transform Coal-Like Material to Amorphous Graphite and Nanotubes
Offers the hope of converting coal to valuable and carbon-neutral materials key to electronic and battery technologies
2022: Year in Review
2022 was another stellar year at PSC! We won awards, worked with interns, welcomed new faces, and widened scientific knowledge. Here’s a look back at what 2022 brought to PSC.
Storm Surge Model Runs on Bridges-2 in Real Time, Predicting Hurricane Ian’s Flooding Impacts
Timely predictions assist emergency efforts throughout state, federal responses
$5.8 Million Grant Renews Pittsburgh-Led Project to Support National Goal of Mapping Human Brain
Five-year NIH funding scales up Brain Image Library to handle vastly increased data
PSC Receives International Honors for AI-Driven, Automated Discovery of MRI Agents and Control of Fluid-Flow Heat and Stress
Thirteenth Year PSC Is Recognized by HPCwire Awards, Given to Leaders in the Global High Performance Computing Community
PSC at Supercomputing 2022 | Dallas, TX
PSC Demos Recent Projects at Supercomputing
Artificial Intelligence Learns to Judge Mass of Galaxy Clusters
Predicted mass of huge Coma Cluster agrees with earlier, human-intensive attempts; offers fast, accurate measurement needed to understand early Universe
Bridges Simulations Test Mercury Formation Theory
Outward movement of Venus and Earth may have swept up lighter elements, making Mercury small and iron-rich
Students use Bridges-2 to Simulate Physical Stress in Carbon Nanotubes
Resulting database will enable AI exploration of movement-sensitive electrical components
Summer Interns Finish on a High Note
PSC offered students a variety of real-life, hands-on and skill-building projects during their internships this summer
DataJam Goes National
Student data-science competition adds teams outside Pittsburgh region, including from California Native American youth center and New Jersey schools
$20 Million in Renewed Grants from NIH Will Provide Data Infrastructure and Leadership to International Collaboration to Map Human Body at Cellular Resolution
Four years of additional funding to PSC, Pitt, CMU and Stanford will provide the HuBMAP Consortium with data infrastructure and leadership in community engagement to build a human reference atlas
Bridges Simulations Improve Quantum Approach to Computing
Work establishes benchmark for beating classical computers, optimizes quantum performance
Curtis Meyer, Michael J. Becich Named Interim Co-directors of PSC
CMU, Pitt form search committee for replacement as Shawn Brown leaves for HPE Shawn Brown has stepped down from his position as director of PSC. He is leaving to take on a strategic corporate opportunity at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE). Carnegie Mellon...
Meet PSC’s Summer Interns
We didn’t have to search hard to find qualified students for PSC’s Summer Internship Program. Over 100 students applied for the five available positions. Let’s meet them and find out what projects they’re working on this summer.
Study Shows Artificial-Light Impact on Migratory Birds
Analysis of 42 species in Western hemisphere suggests most effective steps for reducing city lights’ harm
AI Predicts Synthesizability of Crystals via Abstract Images
Images derived from crystal structures help neural network running on Bridges-2 to predict ability to create a given crystal in the real world
PSC-Led Computer Program Receives $150,000 in Improvement Funding
$7-million NSF Characteristic Science Applications program to further develop 21 scientific software projects
PSC and Partners to Lead $7.5-Million Project to Allocate Access on NSF Supercomputers
Five-year RAMPS grant will democratize entry to NSF high performance computers; PSC also partner in CONECT, a $20-million grant to operate system
PSC’s Neocortex Upgrades to Cerebras CS-2 AI Systems
New Cerebras Systems technology will double capacity, allow larger deep-learning models and data
Students Gain Valuable Hands-on Experience through PSC’s Internship Program
When Robin Scibek, PSC's Senior Communications Manager, started at PSC as an intern, she never thought she'd still be working at PSC 19 years later. Hers, however, is not a unique story at PSC. Our internship program provides a valuable experience for undergraduate...
Anton 2 Sims Suggest How Fish Oil Health Benefits Start at Cell Membrane
Molecular simulations coupled with AI analysis reveal how omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may regulate the size of membrane “rafts”
Celebrating PSC Women in STEM
Spotlight on PSC Women in STEM
Electrical Charge of Vaccine Particles May Lead to Blood-Clot Side Effect
Bridges-2 simulations suggest complication may stem from oppositely charged clot-forming protein sticking to engineered adenovirus
College Students Learn Molecular Simulation on Bridges-2
Educational allocation gives students taste of computational field, tools for science careers
Bridges Anchors Simulation of Sound Waves to Manage Heat, Stress in Fluid Flow
Two-step computation holds promise in improving efficiency, reducing stress in power plants, electronics, off-shore structures.
2021 Year in Review
2021 was a big year for PSC. This wrap-up includes some favorite stories from the year that highlight our people and the research we’ve been fueling.
AI-Driven Robotic Design of MRI Contrast Agents
MCS-designed machine learning algorithm promises record performing materials with unprecedented speed of discovery.
MuST Program Simplifies Predictions of Material Properties
Open-Source Tool for Engineering New Substances Developed by PSC Scientist and Colleagues
Better Heat Dissipation Points to Improved Electronics
New Materials Simulated on Bridges, Bridges-2 May Allow Smaller Devices, Avoiding “Hotspot” Problem.
PSC Receives International Honors for Storm Damage Predictions, Classification of Star Formations
Twelfth Year PSC Is Recognized by HPCwire Awards, Given to Leaders in the Global high performance-Computing Community
Virtual Brain Injury Study Identifies Key Factors in Potential Nerve-Fiber Damage
Initial Report Uses Simulation on Bridges for a Finer-Scale Look at Stresses Leading to TBI
$125 Million in Grants to Study Cellular Aging to Be Coordinated from Pittsburgh
NIH-funded SenNet to Create 3D Atlas of Aging Tissues, Shedding Light on Nerve Degeneration, Diabetes, Cancer and Normal Tissue Functions
PSC Celebrates its 35th Anniversary with Proclamations from Local, State, Federal Government Officials
The Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), founded in 1986, is celebrating its 35-year anniversary.
“Digital Backbone” Holds Promise for Democratizing Data, Removing Food Disparity
PSC’s Shawn Brown Speaks at U.N. Panel on Leveraging Data, AI for Alleviating Hunger
Anton 2 Simulations Explain Mechanism for Loading DNA into Virus
Two-phase Motor Packages DNA into Viral Capsids, May Offer Drug Target
Bridges Simulations Uncover Shortcoming in Models of Early Universe
Scientists propose “hybrid approach” to correct key simplification, allowing accurate simulations of galactic evolution
Getting to Know Ivan Cao-Berg
For some people starting a new job in the middle of a pandemic would be a disheartening experience---not seeing or meeting any of your coworkers except via Zoom could be lonely and a bit depressing. But not so for Ivan Cao-Berg who hit the ground running on his first...
Pitt, PSC Collaboration Develops AI Tool for “Long Tail” Stamp Recognition in Japanese Historic Documents
Bridges and Bridges-2 Power Study of Business Document that Promises Better Automated Study of Datasets with Numerous Rare Items, a Key Limitation in Artificial Intelligence
Bridges Simulates Tiny Robots with Better Directability, Maneuverability
Proof of concept for rational design of “biohybrid walkers” reduces lab testing, expense
PSC PEARC21 Preview
PSC staff will present papers and participate in panels and BOFs at PEARC21.
Hurricane Simulations by Bridges, Bridges-2 Inform State Decision-Making
Scientists created a simulation tool to predict and evaluate the effects of different storm scenarios on the Louisiana coast.
Hijacking of Pro-Vaccination Twitter Effort Is Focus of Bridges and Bridges-2 Analysis
A pro-vaccine social media campaign turned into quite the opposite due to the rapid mobilization of its opponents.
Two-step Method Identifies Known Drugs Likely to Reduce Chance of Death from COVID-19
Scientists identify existing drugs that could reduce the chance of death in patients with COVID-19
PSC Receives Another Year of State Funding
The funding PSC receives from the Commonwealth supports our workforce development efforts such as training events, educator workshops, and other outreach activities.
Bridges & Bridges-2 Power Discovery of Two-X-Chromosome Male Voles
The Way This Rodent Species Determines Sex Differs from All Other Mammals Known
PSC staff win big at annual awards ceremony
PSC staff take home Research, Outstanding Achievement, Senior Rookie and staff Merit Awards.
First PSC Supercomputer Powered on 35 Years Ago
PSC’s first computer, a CRAY X-MP/48, was dedicated on June 9, 1986. Thirty-five years later, look how far we’ve come!
Meet the Interns
This year we hired three summer interns from from a pool of over 100 applicants! Meet them and find out what projects they’re working on this summer.
PSC Systems Power DNA-Based Identification of Surface, Airborne Microbes Worldwide
A research team has been able to analyze DNA in thousands of urban air and surface samples worldwide.
The McWilliams Center for Cosmology at Carnegie Mellon University Now Accepting Proposal Submissions
The McWilliams Center for Cosmology Seed Grant program supports faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff who want to explore a new area of research and/or jumpstart their research activity.
Bridges Helps Reveal Effects of Long-Term Spaceflight on Human Body
Comparison of DNA of Spacefaring and Earth-Bound Astronauts Raises Intriguing Questions
PSC partners with CMU’s Mellon College of Science for unique Data Science graduate program
Carnegie Mellon University’s Mellon College of Science and PSC announce the launch of a Master of Science in Data Analytics for Science degree program.
AI Uses Language Rules to Simulate Molecular Motions on Bridges
Recreates Known Chemical Rules, Opens Door to Improved Vaccines, Drugs, Industrial Processes
Building Bridges: Take Two
For PSC’s most recent system install, the team took a collaborative & strategic approach, enabled – not hindered – by COVID-19.
Bridges-2 Begins Production Operations
Advanced research computing platform enters first allocation period; deadline for proposals is April 15
Shawn Brown Appointed Pitt Vice Chancellor for Research Computing
PSC Director Shawn Brown has been appointed vice chancellor for research computing at the University of Pittsburgh, while remaining director of PSC.
Virtual Brain Injury Study Identifies Key Factors in Potential Nerve-Fiber Damage
RMU-Led Report Uses Supercomputing Simulation for a Finer-Scale Look at Stresses Leading to TBI
Neocortex, a Groundbreaking AI Supercomputer, Begins Early User Access at PSC
Access and AI research begins on the new PSC Neocortex system, an advanced AI computing system for science and engineering that leverages Cerebras Systems’ revolutionary Wafer Scale Engine
MuST Program Speeds Predictions of Material Properties
Open-Source Tool for Engineering New Substances Developed by PSC Scientist and Colleagues
Accurate Identification of Malware by Program Running on Bridges-AI
Convolutional Neural Network Promises Leap Forward in Antivirus Tech
Online Supply Chain Tool Available to Authorities, Public
Website for analyzing critical goods, supply vulnerabilities developed with Bridges
Celebrating International Women’s Day at PSC: Our STEM Heroes
PSC Staff share stories of the women who inspire them
Rapid ID of Potential Anti-COVID-19 Agents Powered by Bridges-AI
AI Identifies More Than 20,000 Compounds with Possible Anti-Virus Activity, Thousands of Times Faster than Earlier Methods
CRISPR Simulation Points to Improved DNA Editing, Gene Therapy
Virtual Cas9 Protein on Anton 2 at PSC Aids Search for Cures for Genetic Diseases
AI Makes Deluge of Fast Radio Burst Data Manageable
Artificial Intelligence on Bridges Makes Processing Thousands of Fast Radio Burst Candidates Possible by Human Experts
Pgh Data Jam Wins Pitt Community Engagement Award from the Senior Vice Chancellor
$2,000 Grant Will Help Fund Operations, Raise Program’s Visibility in Challenging COVID Year