This article reviews that maintaining the country’s nuclear weapons—without a shot being fired—requires flexible computer power and ever-expanding images of data. ASCI researchers are faced with the challenge of visualizing computational models of a size that could hardly have been imagined a few years ago. The animated simulations reveal exactly how individual atoms and molecules interact with each other in the bombs. The fusion reactions studied by ASCI can occur in just three-billionths of a second. ASCI researchers use the software to visualize a number of components within a data set, including scalar fields, vector fields, cell-centered variables, vertex-centered variables, and polygon information. But as the research continues, the stakes get higher. Before long, scientists will need software that can visualize a terabyte or more of data. A model on the terabyte scale is incomprehensible unless it can be visualized, and the only way to fully understand complicated 3D calculations is through sophisticated graphics software.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2001
Select Article
Keener Eyes for Beowulf
Maintaining The Country's Nuclear Weapons-Without a Shot Being Fired-Requires Flexible Computer Power and Ever-Expanding Images of Data.
This article was prepared by staff writers in collaboration with outside contributors.
Mechanical Engineering. Jun 2001, 123(06): 78-79 (2 pages)
Published Online: June 1, 2001
Citation
(June 1, 2001). "Keener Eyes for Beowulf." ASME. Mechanical Engineering. June 2001; 123(06): 78–79. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2001-JUN-6
Download citation file:
324
Views
Get Email Alerts
Cited By
New “Flies” Around the Landfill
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Below and Beyond
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Hidden Infrastructure for the New Energy Economy
Mechanical Engineering (November 2024)
Autonomous Freight Takes to the Rail, Road, Sea, and Air
Mechanical Engineering (September 2024)
Related Articles
Minding the Nuclear Store
Mechanical Engineering (March,1999)
The Quiet Rebellion
Mechanical Engineering (September,2000)
Contesting the High Ground
Mechanical Engineering (July,2019)
Tracking Fusion
Mechanical Engineering (June,2003)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Introduction
Non-Proliferation Nuclear Forensics: Canadian Perspective
ASME Section III Division 4 Fusion Energy Devices Code Rules
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Codes, Volume 2, Fifth Edition
New Deliberations-Fusion Reactors. Part A: Theoretical Bases and Scientific Foundations. Part B: ITER. Part C: Nuclear Fusion
Continuing and Changing Priorities of the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Codes and Standards