RCS Shoots Dinosaurs at Barcelona Supercomputing Center
In May 2009, Dr Phil Manning, Dr Lee Margetts and a National Geographic film crew enjoyed a warm welcome from staff at Barcelona Supercomputer Center. They filmed in and around Mare Nostrum, one of Europe's largest supercomputers, for a documentary due to be screened in 2010. The footage was recorded to articulate how advanced supercomputing technology is being used to help Palaeontologists better understand dinosaurs.
One of the uses reported is for biomechanics simulation. Fossil dinosaur bones have been scanned using Manchester's new Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility. The images are converted to 3D finite element models comprising millions of elements using software from Simpleware Ltd. The models are analysed using ParaFEM, inhouse software that scales to 8000 processors. A Lego dinosaur was used to help dinosaur enthusiasts (from age 5 upwards) to understand the basic concept behind the finite element method.
The strong relationship between Barcelona and Manchester has come about through an HPC-Europa2 Fellowship. This scheme, running until 2012, enables scientists to gain access to Europe's largest supercomputers.
If any member of staff would like help applying for access to national or international supercomputing facilities, or assistance in using such systems, please contact rcs@manchester.ac.uk.
A Selection of Photographs
Dr Lee Margetts standing above MareNostrum.
Dr Phil Manning and Dr Lee Margetts standing in front of MareNostrum.
Dr Phil Manning and Dr Lee Margetts assembling a Lego Stegosaurus for the shoot.
