Author: Halyna Hyryavets

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HPC FOCUS

HPC FOCUS

New HPC FOUCS magazine was published. Since the last HPC FOCUS, several changes have taken place in the field of high-performance computing in Slovakia. Some may have gone unnoticed, some with greater media coverage, but we believe they have the potential to move us and the entire Slovak HPC community forward.

In April 2021, the SIVVP project was successfully finished, thanks to which the first Slovak supercomputer Aurel was acquired and operated in 2012, as well as other computing clusters in Bratislava, Žilina, Košice and Banská Bystrica.

One of the mentioned changes is that the role of the institution that will serve as the first contact for those interested in HPC will be gradually taken over by the National Competence Center for HPC (NCC). In addition to services for the academic sector, it will also focus on cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises, industrial companies and public administration institutions.

In recent months, the National Supercomputing Center (NSCC) has been established in Slovakia, which, as an association of the academic, private and public sectors, will form the hitherto missing and at the same time much-needed national vision and strategies for the development and support of HPC. The Slovak Renewal and Development Plan has already succeeded in pushing for funds for a new supercomputer, the construction of which is one of the goals of the NSCC in the coming years. In the magazine you will also find an interview with members of the NSCC board of directors Mgr. Lukáš Demovič, Phd. (SAS) and PhDr. Radoslav Repom (MIRRI).

You will also read about high-performance computing and weather forecasting at SHMÚ, popularization of HPC, applications in practice and pan-European HPC infrastructure.

Don't miss the news from the world of HPC in Slovakia and read the latest HPC FOUCS..

NEWS
All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
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General

The National competence centre pilot hackathon

The National competence centre pilot hackathon

Vymyslieť tému pilotného NCC hackathonu nebolo ľahké: HPC prostredie má svoje špecifiká a je pre mnoho ľudí celkom neznáme. Napokon sme sa rozhodli pre výzvu, ktorá by riešila niečo, čo poznáme a používame všetci: mobilnú aplikáciu. Konkrétne tá naša by mala prinášať používateľom HPC prehľad o ich výpočtových úlohách a stave výpočtových prostriedkov.

Organizátori z Národného kompetenčného centra pripravili tzv. backend aplikácie a umožnili účastníkom prístup k potrebným dátam priamo z klastra situovaného v Košiciach, kde si mohli sami spúšťat aj testovacie úlohy. HPC prostredie, výpočty a ich manažment pomocou nástroja SLURM sme priblížili na úvodnom webinári a 9. júla sa online hackathon mohol začať. Každý z dvoch tímov, ktoré sa aktívne zúčastnili, si zvolil iný prístup k vývoju: PWA (Progressive Web App) a Kotlin multiplatform. Obom tímom musíme uznať, že výborne uchopili projekt a výsledné riešenia a ich prezentácia sa nám veľmi páčili. Víťazná aplikácia by mala fungovať na zariadeniach s Androidom i iOS a dúfame, že po finálnych úpravách ju čoskoro budú môcť otestovať naši aj používatelia!

We also thank our partners and sponsors for media support and prizes. Big thank you to QuBit Academy, WebSupport, Cybersec.sk,  Learn2Code, Slovak Academy of Sciences and bart.sk!

NEWS
All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
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General

National video games day

National video games day

Today, video games are an inseparable part of the life for a large amount of the population. We prepared several interesting facts about this phenomenon for today's National Video Game Day. The first video game is considered to be an artificial intelligence called Bertie the Brain, which was able to play Tic-tac-toe.  

This device was assembled in 1950 by Josef Kates to be exhibited at the Canadian National Exhibition. The first gaming device was up to 4 meters high, which is why it was never mass-produced. After the Canadian National Exhibition, no other piece was made again. Another computer adapted for playing a game was the Nimrod, which was introduced at the Festival of Britain in 1951. Nimrod and Bertie the Brain can be considered the founders of the world of video games in the form as we know it today. 

In the process of creating video games, an original idea is essential. At the beginning, it is important to know what type of game you want to create, whether it will be a sports game, action or logic game. The creator of the video game must have an idea of the story, the length of the game, the budget and the levels of complexity. An important step is the right choice of software that will make the work easier for developers. The longest-lasting phase in the creation of the game is the creation itself - designing the environment and individual characters. Creating a video game is a demanding and lengthy process, the most pleasant part of which is the publication of the game.

We often come across the opinion that video games have a negative impact on the players. A group of scientists under the expert guidance of Marc Palaus looked at it and Scientists have found out that video game players have better-developed areas of the brain which are responsible for concentration and spatial perception. Those who play video games regularly can better perceive the relationships between individual objects in space, and also fine motor skills improve.

It is also important to remember the risks involved that can strongly affect people's lives. Even though gambling is the most common form of addiction, one can also be addicted to video games. Scientists have found out, že ľudia náchylní na závislosť na videohrách majú spoločné zmeny v štruktúre mozgu – pozmenený je ich nervový systém odmeňovania. Ide o skupinu štruktúr, ktorá je zodpovedná za prijemný pocit po úspešnom dosiahnutí stanovených cieľov. Na základe týchto výskumov môžeme tvrdiť, že je možné predpovedať, kto má väčšiu pravdepodobnosť stať sa závislým na videohrách.

However, we must not forget the positives, which, in addition to better spatial perception and improved fine motor skills, also include the development of certain skills that people have a problem with. It is important to mention games which are intended specifically to help people after strokes. These support re-learning of certain skills and also help the rehabilitation process.

A specialised museum is available for all those interested in video games on the premises of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislava The computer museum exhibits the first computers, telephones and graphics, or older models of game consoles and controllers. Functional machines are also available for trying out!

NEWS
All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
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Calls-Finished

DIGITbrain

DIGITbrain – Call for proposals in 2022

DIGITbrain Project is an EU innovation program (coordinated by PNO Consultants) to give SMEs easy access to digital twins.

A Digital Twin is the virtual representation of a product, system or process that simulates its physical attributes in the real-world in real time. By collecting data from its physical counterpart, manufacturers are enabled to streamline the manufacturing process and make predictions with regard to machine failures or maintenance needs.

V porovnaní s konceptom digitálnych dvojičiek, ktorý sa už v súčasnosti využíva vo výrobných procesoch mnohých spoločností, chce projekt DIGITbrain zájsť ešte o krok ďalej a vyvinúť tzv. ‘Digital Product Brain’, ktorý by zbieral a ukladal dáta z celého cyklu výrobnej línie alebo stroja. Toto sa uplatní v novom koncepte výroby, ktorý sa nazýva “výroba ako služba” (Manufacturing-as-a-Service / MaaS). Tento koncept umožní výrobu podľa požiadaviek klienta, produkciu špecializovaných výrobkov a to aj v menších množstvách a zároveň stále ekonomicky.

Experiments will be implemented in close collaboration with Digital Innovation hubs and technical partners of competence centers. This interaction should start during proposal preparation, DIHs and technical partners of competence centers acting as business and technical supporters for applicants. This collaboration should continue during the experiments’ deployment and execution.

The 2nd Open Call for application experiments will be open from 31st March 2022 for three months until the End of June 2022. Learn more about the program HERE.

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Calls-Finished

PRACE-ICEI Calls For Proposals – Call #6

PRACE-ICEI Calls For Proposals – Call #6

The resources in these calls are from the Fenix Research Infrastructure, funded by the European ICEI project (https://fenix-ri.eu/).

These calls for proposals are for European researchers from academia, research institutes in need of scalable computing resources, interactive computing services, VM services and data storage to carry on their research.

Submission dates

Calls are organised quarterly calls according to the following timeline (calls will be open until resources are available):

 Call openingCall closureAllocation
Call #631/05/202109/07/2021From 01/10/2021
Call #720/09/202129/10/2021From 01/01/2022

Dates for calls in 2022 will be announced later in 2021.

The allocations are limited to 12 months.

The PRACE ICEI program is open to all European researchers, research organizations needing resource allocations regardless of funding sources.

You are eligible to apply for the call for proposals only if you need one or more:

  • Scalable computing services
  • Interactive computing services
  • Virtual machine services
  • Archival data repository
  • Active data repository

PRACE ICEI Proposal Requirements

  • Short description of the scientific goals and objectives including progress beyond state of the art and scientific impact
  • Type of resources required i.e. scalable computing resource, interactive computing resources, VM services, archival and active data repositories
  • Resources requests based on limits defined above (including information on scalability for scalable compute resources requests)
  • Description of the software and services needed to successfully complete the project
  • Description of the research methods (including a project workplan), algorithms, and code parallelization approach (including memory requirements)  
  • Information on Data Management
  • Description of special needs (if any)

More information on resources available and the submission process can be found HERE.

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General

EuroCC & Castiel joint coference

EuroCC & Castiel Joint conference

Second joint conference EuroCC & Castiel took place on June 22 – 23, 2021. The two-day online event was attended by 140+ representatives and members of all National Competence Centres. The programme of the conference focused on the upcoming 1st year reports and a review process that will take place in October 2021.  

Administrative issues were addressed by the Project Management Team and representatives from the Castiel working groups presented progress in their respective areas: competence mapping, training, twinning&mentoring, industrial interactions and business development and communication & outreach. An update from the EuroHPC JU was presented, as well. On the second day the participants learned more about the FF4EuroHPC open call.

Most importantly, the joint conference was an opportunity for all NCCs to present their progress in the first 9 months of the EuroCC project implementation, from their initial status to goals achieved and the future outlook.

    NEWS
    All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
    MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
    The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
    Kategórie
    Calls-Finished

    HPC-Europa3 – Transnational Access

    HPC-Europa3 – Transnational Access

    Funding for research visits to build international networks in HPC: Network, Compute, Learn, Travel

    The project HPC-Europa project is based on a program of visits, in the form of traditional transnational access, with researchers visiting HPC centres and/or scientific hosts who mentor them scientifically and technically for the best exploitation of the HPC resources in their research. The visitors are financially supported for travel, accommodation and subsistence, and provided with an amount of computing time suitable for the approved project (PLEASE NOTE: the provided funding is not a salary and not meant to cover ALL costs but it is meant to be an help to support the visiting period).

    The calls for applications are issued 4 times per year and published online on the HPC-Europa3 website. The next closing date will be on 09th Sept 2021 (23:59 CEST). The programme will end in April 2022 so do not miss the last calls!

    It is recommended that researchers apply between 2 and 4 months before the start of their visit. Successful applicants will visit for between 3 and 13 weeks.

    A web-based interface has been set-up to submit applications. Detailed guidelines and on-line FAQs are provided to assist the applicants with the process.

    If you wish to apply for a visit grant and if you intend to spend a research period in one of the 9 countries of the HPC centres part of the project, please read the guidelines and then fill in the online form. If you have any question concerning the project or the application procedure feel free to contact the project coordinators.

    The Supercomputing centres participating in the Transnational Access activity are: CINECA (Bologna – IT), EPCC (Edinburgh – UK), BSC (Barcelona – SP), HLRS (Stuttgart – DE), SurfSARA (Amsterdam – NL), CSC (Helsinki – FIN), GRNET (Athens, GR), KTH (Stockolm, SE), ICHEC (Dublin, IE).

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    National Competence Centre for HPC at the spring edition of ITAPA 2021

    National Competence Centre for HPC at the spring edition of ITAPA 2021

    The spring edition of the largest IT conference in Slovakia - ITAPA- took place in Bratislava on June 10, 2021. The EuroCC project. project and the National Competence Center for High-Performance Computing was again represented at this event. Lukáš Demovič, director of the Centre of Operations of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the Board of the National Supercomputing centre (NSCC) took part in a session about Digital Economics.

    Radoslav Repa, Director General of the Digital Agenda Section of MIRRI SR was acting as a moderator of the panel. The main topics were dealing with the pandemic in the context of digitization and utilization of the HPC and AI technologies, as well as quantum computers and blockchain technology in the digital economy. Seven speakers took part in an interesting exchange of ideas and perspectives:

    The importance of HPC+ tools in science and various domains of industry was explained by L. Demovič during his introductory talk.Doteraz bolo veľmi často HPC alebo superpočítače vnímane ako doména vedcov, akademikov, „hračky“ na ktorých vedci robia základný výskum, ale čoraz viacej táto doména preniká do svetu priemyslu, malých a stredných podnikov…“ 

    The activities of the EuroCC project and National Competence Centre for HPC in Slovakia were emphasized, particularly the support for SMEs and industry subjects in their efforts to adopt HPC solutions. Successful projects and outcomes of the FF4EUROHPC scheme have been cited as examples.

    NEWS
    All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
    MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
    The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
    Kategórie
    General

    PRACE Spring school: Modelling Materials using HPC and AI/ML

    PRACE Spring school: Modelling Materials using HPC and AI/ML

    This year the PRACE Spring school will be organized by the Centre of Operations, Slovak Academy of Sciences and will cover the topic of modelling materials using HPC and AI/ML tools and techniques. The workshop will be held on June 15 – 18, 2021 as an online/hybrid event. Locally based participants may attend the seasonal school in person, if the pandemic situation and valid restrictions permit it.

    We aim to deliver comprehensive information on the topic, from theoretical background, parallel algorithms implementation to effective deployment of applications and programs on the HPC environment.

    The PRACE Spring school will also fucus on utilizing the AI/ML tools that are being progressively applied to real chemical problems, such as discovery of new chemical compounds and materials with specific properties.

    The program comprises interesting lectures as well as practical hands-on sessions. Basic knowledge and background in theoretical chemistry or physics is a prerequisite.

    The HERE , which is free of charge, is now OPEN until June 7, 2021 or until our capacities are full.

    NEWS
    All Hands Meeting in Estonia 30 Sep - V dňoch 23. – 25. septembra 2025 sa zástupkyne Národného kompetenčného centra pre HPC  Halyna Hyryavets a Lucia Malíčková zúčastnili záverečnej konferencie projektov CASTIEL2, EuroCC2, EuroCC4SEE a Centier excelentnosti (CoEs), ktorá sa konala v Tallinne v Estónsku.
    MATLAB WORKSHOP: Scaling Algorithms and Simulations Using Parallel Computing  25 Sep - Computationally intensive tasks, processing large volumes of data, and repeated simulation runs are everyday challenges in both science and industry. Modern approaches make it possible to significantly accelerate these processes by leveraging parallel computing and available hardware resources – from multiple CPU cores to GPU acceleration. MATLAB and Simulink offer a wide range of possibilities to efficiently utilize these resources without the need for specialized knowledge of GPU programming or complex HPC solutions.
    The computing power of HPC brings new opportunities in the protection of the brown bear  23 Sep - Vysokovýkonné počítanie (HPC) predstavuje kľúčovú technológiu modernej doby, ktorá zásadne mení spôsob, akým vedci, výskumníci aj firmy riešia zložité problémy. Superpočítače dokážu spracovať obrovské objemy dát a vykonať miliardy výpočtov za sekundu – úlohy, ktoré by na bežných počítačoch trvali mesiace či roky, zvládajú v priebehu hodín alebo dní.
    Kategórie
    Calls-Finished

    13th PRACE SHAPE Call for Proposals

    13th PRACE SHAPE Call
    • Type of Access: SHAPE
    • Opening Date: 01/04/2021 @ 16:59
    • Closing Date: 01/06/2021 @ 17:00 Brussels Time

    SHAPE offers European SMEs the opportunity to:

    • Use HPC for business innovation
    • Increase competitiveness
    • Benefit from the expertise and knowledge developed within the top-class PRACE Research Infrastructure.

    The Thirteenth Call for Applications to SHAPE (SME HPC Adoption Programme in Europe) invites applications from European SMEs with an interesting idea that would benefit from High Performance Computing for increasing their competitiveness. SHAPE aims to work with selected SMEs to introduce HPC-based tools and techniques into their business, operational, or production environment. The selected solutions should bring a potential tangible Return on Investment to the SME’s business.

    The SHAPE process is as follows:

    The SME applies to the programme via the online or downloadable form HERE. At this stage assistance is available from PRACE if required, but the form also includes guidelines on the expected content.

    The applications are then reviewed and rated, based principally on the strength of the business case and technical feasibility of the proposed work. The successful SMEs can then receive machine time on a PRACE system, and most importantly effort from a PRACE expert to work alongside the SME in evaluating and/or developing the HPC-based solution. In return the SME provides in-kind effort, publicity of their participation in SHAPE, and together with the PRACE expert, produces a public white paper on the work achieved in the project at its conclusion.

    PRACE experts will work with the selected SMEs in order to develop their solutions, providing the participating SMEs with knowledge that will allow them to make an informed decision on the selected HPC solution. 

    For more information and to apply please visit PRACE SHAPE.

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