PCP used in development of supercomputer that mimics human brain
A pre-commercial procurement (PCP) to create high-performance computing infrastructure for brain research has been launched by Forschungszentrum Jülich. The PCP is part of the Human Brain Project’s drive to set up a High Performance Computing (HPC) Platform, which requires innovative supercomputing technology. The project will build the hardware and software infrastructure, utilising the supercomputer’s capabilities to run cellular model simulations approaching the size of a full human brain.
Three bidding consortia have each been awarded a contract to provide research and development services for the first phase of the PCP. The central element of the HPC Platform will be the supercomputer, the project’s main production system. The computing infrastructure will be made available to the project consortium and the wider community. Over the next decade, the computer will be built in stages, until it has the power required for cellular simulations that mimic the human brain.
According to the project’s vision, “interactive supercomputing” capabilities will allow the supercomputer to be used like a scientific instrument, enabling experiments to take place on virtual human brains. These requirements will inform the system design, including the hardware architecture, run-time system, mode of operation, resource management and other aspects.
For more information, visit the Forschungszentrum Jülich website.