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Commit 8764af76 authored by Matthieu Schaller's avatar Matthieu Schaller
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Slight improvements to the text of the SWIFT public description

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...@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ to the level of individual atoms. This implies that we need to ...@@ -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 re-think the equations that describe the matter components and how
they interact with each other. In practice, we must solve the they interact with each other. In practice, we must solve the
equations that describe these problems numerically, which requires a 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 We use SWIFT to run simulations of astrophysical objects, such as
planets, galaxies, or even the whole universe. We do this to test theories 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 ...@@ -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 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 more modular structure than other codes making it easier for users to
pick and choose what physical models they want to include in their pick and choose what physical models they want to include in their
simulations. This lets us also study very different topics like simulations. This lets us also study very different topics like the
the giant impacts of planets colliding in the early solar system. 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 The way that supercomputers are built is not by having one huge
super-fast 'computer', but rather by having lots of regular computers 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 ...@@ -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, sitting and waiting for work, which is just wasted time, electricity,
and ultimately money! 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 appearance of so-called vector instructions. These allow one given
computing core to process not just one number at a time (as in the 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 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 16 stars 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 (for instance) at a time and not just one. However, exploiting this
capability is hard and requires writing very detailed code. That is 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 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 ...@@ -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. Particle Hydrodynamics is the technique that we use to do that.
SPH was originally developed to solve problems in astrophysics but is SPH was originally developed to solve problems in astrophysics but is
now a popular tool in industry with applications that affect our now also a very popular tool in industry with applications that affect
everyday life. Turbines are modelled with this technique to our everyday life. For instance, turbines are modelled with this
understand how to harvest as much energy from the wind. The method is technique to understand how to harvest as much energy from the
also used to understand how waves and tsunamis affect the shores, wind. The method is also used to understand how waves and tsunamis
allowing scientists to design effective defences for the population. affect the shores, allowing scientists to design effective defences
for the population.
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