What is ExCALIBUR?
The Exascale Computing Algorithms and Infrastructures Benefiting UK Research (ExCALIBUR) is a UK research programme that aims to deliver the next generation of high performance simulation software for the highest priority fields in UK research. Starting in 2019 and running through until March 2025, redesigning high-priority computer codes and algorithms to meet the demands of both advancing technology and UK research.
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Using supercomputing to create the next generation of high performance simulation software
To continue to make scientific advances on some of the most challenging physical problems facing the world today, such as weather forecasting, engine design, astrophysics, particle physics and fusion energy, it is essential that the UK fully harnesses the power of the world’s most powerful supercomputers as we move into the exascale era and beyond. This cannot be achieved without the appropriate software and simulations that need to be developed for the next generation of supercomputers.
The ExCALIBUR programme will address this challenge by redesigning high-priority computer codes and algorithms, keeping UK research and development at the forefront of high-performance simulation science. For this challenge, research software engineers and scientists will work together to future-proof the UK against the fast-moving changes in supercomputer designs. This combined scientific expertise will push the boundaries of science across a wide range of fields delivering transformational change at the cutting edge of scientific supercomputing.
Hartree Centre partner projects
Project NEPTUNE: Making fusion a reality
Project NEPTUNE (Neutrals & Plasma Turbulence Numerics for the Exascale), seeks to develop knowledge, capability and prototype infrastructure targeting one of the greatest challenges in modelling the behaviour of a thermonuclear tokamak plasma. In the Hartree Centre’s ongoing collaboration with UKAEA to help make fusion energy a reality, we are working on Project NEPTUNE to develop our understanding of plasma and how to model and simulate its movement with a spherical tokamak.
Project Exa-LAT: Understanding the structure of the universe
Project Exa-LAT (Exascale frontier of Lattice Field Theory), is looking to understand the fundamental symmetries determining the structure of the universe by developing a common set of best practices, key performance indicators (KPIs) and figures of merit that can be used by the whole lattice field theory community.
Project Exposing Parallelism: Getting ready for the next generation of supercomputers
Project Exposing Parallelism, explores how task-based parallelism can write new software for the next generation of supercomputers. We are using this software to help develop a data-driven taskification toolset and workflow to improve the speed and accuracy of task-based codes and their simulations.
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Who is involved in ExCALIBUR?
The programme is led by the Met Office and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) along with the Public Sector Research Establishment, the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) research councils, including the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).