In the ever-evolving world of technology, the race to build the fastest supercomputers continues to captivate scientists and engineers around the globe. As of June 2020, these colossal machines are pushing the boundaries of computational speed, transforming scientific research, weather forecasting, and even the development of new medicines. Here, we take a closer look at the top five fastest supercomputers that are leading this technological revolution.
1. Fugaku - Japan
Developed by RIKEN and Fujitsu, Fugaku has claimed the top spot among supercomputers. Installed at the RIKEN Center for Computational Science in Japan, Fugaku is designed to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges, from energy generation to the discovery of new materials. With its impressive performance, Fugaku surpasses its competitors by a significant margin.
2. Summit - United States
Summit, developed by IBM for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, retains its reputation for being one of the most powerful supercomputers globally. Known for its remarkable speed and power efficiency, Summit is instrumental in research areas including cosmology, medicine, and climate change.
3. Sierra - United States
Another jewel in the crown of American computing, Sierra, is positioned at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. With its remarkable processing abilities, Sierra is vital for the National Nuclear Security Administration's mission to sustain the safety and effectiveness of the U.S.'s nuclear arsenal.
4. Sunway TaihuLight - China
Once the world's fastest, the Sunway TaihuLight is housed at the National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi, China. Equipped with over 10 million computing cores, it serves diverse fields including manufacturing, earth system modeling, and biopharmaceuticals, showcasing China's commitment to technological advancement.
5. Tianhe-2A (MilkyWay-2A) - China
Tianhe-2A, developed by China's National University of Defense Technology, continues to perform powerful simulations and analyses. Located in the National Supercomputer Center in Guangzhou, this supercomputer strengthens China's position as a leader in high-performance computing.