diff --git a/data/public.md b/data/public.md index b5a350740a368ab170528c882730d4cdc9f05b3c..097e722dd20e293840384c43a0b0e440fb136ff7 100644 --- a/data/public.md +++ b/data/public.md @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ to the level of individual atoms. This implies that we need to re-think the equations that describe the matter components and how they interact with each other. In practice, we must solve the equations that describe these problems numerically, which requires a -lot of computing power and fast computer code. +lot of computing power and fast computer codes. We use SWIFT to run simulations of astrophysical objects, such as planets, galaxies, or even the whole universe. We do this to test theories @@ -41,8 +41,9 @@ complete. SWIFT aims to remedy that by choosing to parallelise the problem in a different way, by using better algorithms and by having a more modular structure than other codes making it easier for users to pick and choose what physical models they want to include in their -simulations. This lets us also study very different topics like -the giant impacts of planets colliding in the early solar system. +simulations. This lets us also study very different topics like the +giant impacts of planets colliding in the early days of the solar +system. The way that supercomputers are built is not by having one huge super-fast 'computer', but rather by having lots of regular computers @@ -67,11 +68,11 @@ for much more flexibility. This cuts down on the time when a node is sitting and waiting for work, which is just wasted time, electricity, and ultimately money! -One other computer technology that occurred in the last decade is the +One other computer technology that occurred in the last decades is the appearance of so-called vector instructions. These allow one given computing core to process not just one number at a time (as in the -past) but up to 16 (or even more on some machines!) in parallel. This -means that a given compute core can solve the equations for 16 stars +past) but up to 8 (or even more on some machines!) in parallel. This +means that a given compute core can solve the equations for 8 stars (for instance) at a time and not just one. However, exploiting this capability is hard and requires writing very detailed code. That is rarely done in other codes but our extra efforts pay off and SWIFT can @@ -94,8 +95,9 @@ if we can smooth over the gaps between them efficiently. Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics is the technique that we use to do that. SPH was originally developed to solve problems in astrophysics but is -now a popular tool in industry with applications that affect our -everyday life. Turbines are modelled with this technique to -understand how to harvest as much energy from the wind. The method is -also used to understand how waves and tsunamis affect the shores, -allowing scientists to design effective defences for the population. +now also a very popular tool in industry with applications that affect +our everyday life. For instance, turbines are modelled with this +technique to understand how to harvest as much energy from the +wind. The method is also used to understand how waves and tsunamis +affect the shores, allowing scientists to design effective defences +for the population.