EXCELLERAT Partners at SC23: Nominations, Collaborations, and Cutting-Edge HPC

From November 12 to 17, 2023, the high-performance computing (HPC) world converged at the International Conference for High-Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis – SC23 and EXCELLERAT were no exception. With a record of over 14,000 attendees and 438 exhibitors, SC23 lived up to its reputation as the premier event for scientists, engineers, researchers, educators, programmers, and developers in the HPC community.

While EXCELLERAT didn’t have a physical booth of its own, its activities were well-represented by project partners: BSC, HLRS, and SiPearl were exhibitors, and KTH was involved in the technical programme. A video showcasing the project’s advancements was displayed, providing attendees with a glimpse into the collaborative efforts shaping the future of high-performance computing. It was also featured at the booth of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, further amplifying the visibility of EXCELLERAT’s work.

One of the project’s standout moments at SC23 was the nomination of Niclas Jansson from KTH Royal Institute of Technology as a finalist for the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize. Jansson, a contributor to the EXCELLERAT project, led the development of Neko, a high-fidelity spectral-element code. This code is instrumental to conducting unprecedented large-scale direct numerical simulations of fully developed turbulence while maintaining high-performance portability on GPU-accelerated platforms.

The Gordon Bell Prize, generally accepted as the Nobel prize of HPC and awarded annually at SC, recognises outstanding achievements in high-performance computing. Jansson’s nomination as a prize finalist underscores the calibre of research and innovation that EXCELLERAT fosters among its partners. The collaborative nature of projects like EXCELLERAT provides a fertile ground for pioneering developments that go beyond individual achievements.

Moreover, the EXCELLERAT team took advantage of being at SC23 by recording two podcast episodes, soon to be published. These podcasts delve into various aspects of HPC, sharing insights, challenges, and success stories from experts within the EXCELLERAT community – stay tuned!

Author: Sophia Honisch, HLRS