September 17, 2024 - by Santina Russo
CSCS proudly celebrated the inauguration of its new supercomputer, "Alps", on 14 September in Lugano. This landmark event, attended by high-profile figures from science and politics, marked a breakthrough in computing power that paves the way for future innovation.
In his speech, Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin highlighted the supercomputer’s role in advancing scientific frontiers, humorously quoting Woody Allen: “We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives.”
Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the long-term investment in science and innovation that made "Alps" possible. He noted that it will open up new possibilities for Swiss universities and research institutions, in fields such as genetic research, particle physics, materials science, and more.
The machine’s cutting-edge hardware was provided by industry leaders, who were also present, and recognised the launch as a major collaborative milestone. The Director of MeteoSwiss, Christoph Appenzeller, spoke about the importance of "Alps" to generate high-resolution weather forecasts, while William Tang from Princeton University highlighted its potential for advancing climate predictions and fusion energy research.
Following the official inauguration, CSCS hosted an open day for the public, attracting over 1,200 visitors from diverse backgrounds. Families, high-school students, and seniors gathered in the afternoon for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s most powerful supercomputers. The tour began with a lively presentation about CSCS and its role in global research. Delivered by various CSCS experts in Italian and English, the talk was filled with insights and fun facts. For instance, presenter Fabio Zambrino from CSCS explained how simulations on supercomputers like "Alps" explore phenomena that lab experiments cannot: “Think of astrophysics; it is impossible for scientists to investigate the birth of a galaxy or the collision between two galaxies in the lab. For them, the supercomputer is the lab.” Visitors also learned that CSCS’s first supercomputer, "Adula", launched in 1991 with a performance of just 5.5 gigaflops—about half as powerful as a modern smartphone. By contrast, today, "Alps" can perform in one day what a regular laptop would take 40,000 years to calculate.
After the presentation, guests were invited to tour the machine room, where the "Alps" hardware occupies a space equivalent to a five-room apartment. They also explored the lower levels of the building, where water from Lake Lugano is used to cool the supercomputer and maintain peak performance. Many visitors appreciated the opportunity to get an inside look at CSCS, with some mentioning how they live nearby and were excited to finally see what happens in the building. Others, drawn by their interest in computing, were particularly impressed by the massive infrastructure required to operate such a powerful system. Overall, the event was met with great enthusiasm, leaving visitors inspired by the possibilities "Alps" helps unlock.
