Industrial Applications of High-Performance Computing

205

Chapter 14

A Livermore Perspective

on the Value of Industrial

Use of High-Performance

Computing Resources

at Lawrence Livermore,

Los Alamos, and Sandia

National Laboratories

Jeffrey P. Wolf and Dona L. Crawford

CONTENTS

14.1 Introduction 206

14.2 U.S. Department of Energy and NNSA: Top Investors in

Cutting-Edge High-Performance Computer Capabilities 206

14.3 TriLabs HPC Capabilities Provide Opportunities for Industry 208

14.4 Case Studies of TriLabs HPC Technology Transfer to Industry 211

14.5 TriLabs Initiatives to Expand Industrial HPC Engagements 214

14.6 A Bright Future 217

References 218

206 ◾ Industrial Applications of High-Performance Computing

14.1 INTRODUCTION

Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, and Sandia national laborato-

ries, the scientic laboratories of the U.S. National Nuclear Security

Administration’s (NNSA) nuclear security enterprise, are perennially

homes to some of the world’s fastest supercomputers along with the

broad capabilities needed to fully exploit them.*

,†

Over the years, several

companies have entered into partnerships with these three laboratories

(collectively known as TriLabs), whose critical resources support national

security missions. Today, industrial partners are allowed access to

unprecedented large and unclassied computing machines and the scien-

tic expertise needed to help them accelerate research and development,

solve high-impact business problems, and create competitive advantages.

is chapter describes potential industrial engagement opportunities to

help more companies understand how to engage in benecial high-per-

formance computing (HPC) and computational science projects with the

TriLabs. Such engagements return value to the labs in the form of capa-

bility improvements, technology validations, and workforce invigoration

stemming from productive interactions with industrial partners.

14.2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND NNSA:

TOP INVESTORS IN CUTTING-EDGE HIGH-

PERFORMANCE COMPUTER CAPABILITIES

For the past two decades, the Department of Energy (DOE) has been the

largest sponsor of high-performance computing centers in the United

States. Since the Top500 List rankings of the world’s largest supercomput-

ers were rst compiled in 1993, high-performance computer systems at the

TriLabs have occupied one or more of the top 10 positions.

1

Analyses of

system data from the past decade of Top500 Lists indicate that the scale of

*

is work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence

Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

†

is document was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the United States

government. Neither the U.S. government nor Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, nor

any of their employees makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liabil-

ity or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, appara-

tus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned

rights. Reference herein to any specic commercial product, process, or service by trade name,

trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement,

recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. government or Lawrence Livermore National Security,

LLC. e views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reect those

of the U.S. government or Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, and shall not be used for

advertising or product endorsement purposes.