Welcome to ASCR Discovery, a webzine about the research that powers computational science – the use of computers to gain insight and understanding of scientific questions.

The Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research in the Department of Energy Office of Science supports the projects described here. ASCR’s portfolio includes projects at DOE laboratories and many public and private universities. Such research may take years to reach fruition, but has profound impact on science and, ultimately, the way we live.

We hope you find ASCR Discovery enlightening, and we encourage your comments.

Corralling carbon dioxide
Supercomputers are speeding new-materials designs that sponge up carbon dioxide and helping assemble systems for large-scale carbon capture. Computation also can help scientists understand the geological and physical processes behind sequestering gas underground.

To know the flow
Aerodynamics experts can simulate the complex world of air turbulence as never before. Expanding supercomputing capabilities have boosted a field called large eddy simulation – incredibly detailed, direct computation of turbulence, noise sources and heat transfer that is paving the way for environmentally friendly jet engine designs.

Mira, Mira - new
The Blue Gene/Q supercomputer known as Mira is set to arrive at Argonne National Laboratory in the latter half of 2012. At 10 petaflops, it will be about 20 times more powerful than the current-generation Blue Gene/P, opening up new possibilities for scientific computing.

High-nanotech
With the help of high-performance computing, a group at Purdue University is scaling up tools that model various nanoelectronic devices, including the next generation of transistors.

Feasible fuels - new
Large-scale computing is an important tool for testing hypotheses about cellulose-derived fuels. Computation-based assumptions can help lab researcher interpret results so long as simulations are checked by observed physics and chemistry.

Network superstar at 25
ESnet, the data network that ties 25,000 scientists to Department of Energy laboratories, computers and instruments, is celebrating its 25th birthday with a facelift – and upgrade to carry even more data even faster.

Power players
Two DOE Early Career Research Award recipients put their energy into figuring out how to move massive amounts of data faster by making the next generation of supercomputers work smarter and more efficiently than today’s machines.

Blueprints for power - new
Computer designers are rethinking nearly everything in their quest to develop systems capable of calculations at exaflops speed. Their focus is on energy efficiency, reliability and other factors that the consumer electronics industry pioneered.