Latest news with #InstituteofAtmosphericPhysics
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
China builds world-first ocean ‘microscope' with half-mile resolution despite US curbs
Chinese scientists claim to have developed the world's most advanced ocean simulation system, achieving a resolution of 0.6 miles (1 kilometer). This breakthrough sets a new benchmark in global ocean modeling and defies ongoing semiconductor export restrictions imposed by the United States. The new simulation system, named LICOMK++, was created by research teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics and the Computer Network Information Centre. It offers unmatched precision in modeling how oceans behave and interact with climate systems. According to China's state news agency Xinhua, the simulator acts like an ocean 'microscope.' It can track detailed processes like ocean eddies and heat transport that were previously impossible to model at this scale. This improvement will drastically improve typhoons, floods, and marine heatwaves forecasting. This innovation reflects China's growing determination to achieve technological independence in critical areas, especially in the face of tight Western tech embargoes. Despite semiconductor import limitations, the team overcame performance barriers in supercomputing using custom algorithms and optimized programming strategies. 'The key to improving the accuracy of climate predictions lies in an ocean simulator,' the researchers explained. But achieving high-resolution simulations requires enormous computational power. Until now, this has been a major challenge in climate science. The LICOMK++ system is the first in the world to simulate global oceans at such a fine scale. With this capability, Chinese scientists can help global agencies refine climate predictions and create more accurate models for coastal planning and disaster response. The ocean plays a vital role in regulating the Earth's climate. It absorbs over 90 percent of the heat generated by global warming and more than 30 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from human activity. Simulating how these processes work is essential for understanding and adapting to climate change. LICOMK++ has already received widespread recognition. It was awarded the top supercomputing application prize at HPC China 2024, a major event hosted by the China Computer Federation. Last year, it was also one of three global finalists for the prestigious Gordon Bell Prize, the leading international award in high-performance computing for scientific advancements. A report from the Chinese research team highlighted that weather agencies using this advanced model would gain access to higher-quality data, which could help improve global and regional predictions of changes in the marine environment. In an article shared on its official social media page last Thursday, the China Meteorological Administration noted that LICOMK++ would also support various public services. These include better planning for coastal disaster mitigation, more effective marine resource management, and improved climate adaptation strategies. This innovation may serve as a turning point for global climate research. By enabling more precise ocean simulations, LICOMK++ promises to boost scientific understanding of the Earth's climate system and offer new tools to combat climate-related economic losses.
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
China, US reduce majority of tariffs, KMT slams ‘denial of history': SCMP daily highlights
Catch up on some of SCMP's biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing China and the United States have agreed to remove the majority of tariffs imposed since April 2, a breakthrough following high-stakes talks that could help resolve a trade war that had raised import duties to unprecedented levels. A thaw in relations between China and India is expected to be tested after Pakistan said it used a Chinese-made jet fighter to bring down Indian military aircraft, observers say. System developed by teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics and Computer Network Information Centre delivers unparalleled precision in modelling global ocean dynamics and climate patterns. Photo: Shutterstock Chinese researchers have unveiled the world's most advanced ocean simulation system with a resolution of 1km (0.6 mile) – an unprecedented benchmark.
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Business Standard
12-05-2025
- Science
- Business Standard
China unveils LICOMK++ ocean simulator amid US chip sanctions, boosts data
Chinese researchers have developed a high-resolution ocean simulation system that operates at a 1-kilometre scale, offering enhanced capabilities for modelling ocean dynamics and climate patterns, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday. The development comes despite sanctions placed on China, limiting Beijing's access to semiconductors. The system, named LICOMK++, was created by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics and the Computer Network Information Centre under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Oceans play a central role in regulating climate, absorbing the majority of excess heat and a significant portion of carbon dioxide generated by human activity. However, accurately modelling ocean dynamics at high resolution has been a long-standing challenge due to the computational demands involved. The research team addressed this by developing new algorithms and optimising software performance, resulting in what they describe as the first global ocean model to reach a 1km resolution. This level of detail is seen as important for improving both regional and global climate simulations. LICOMK++ model details and capabilities LICOMK++ provides greater detail in simulating global oceanic phenomena, including ocean eddies, heat transport and current interactions. These factors are central to understanding large-scale climate systems and improving predictions of extreme weather events. Chinese state media have described the simulator as functioning like an 'ocean microscope,' capable of capturing intricate marine processes. According to the China Meteorological Administration, the model is expected to aid in disaster preparedness, coastal planning and marine resource management. Why is this important? The simulator is expected to contribute to climate research by providing more accurate data for forecasting and modelling. Analysts suggest it could support efforts to enhance coastal resilience and inform responses to climate-related risks. Semicon export sanctions The development comes amid ongoing restrictions on China's access to advanced semiconductors and computing components imposed by the United States and other Western countries. Despite these constraints, the team was able to complete LICOMK++ using domestic supercomputing resources, highlighting China's progress towards becoming self-reliant when it comes to the high-performance computing sector.
Filipino Times
22-04-2025
- Science
- Filipino Times
Scientists develop new tool to predict dust storms
Scientists in China have introduced a new technology called iDust, designed to improve predictions of dust storms in desert areas. According to scientists, these dust storms can block sunlight and cover solar panels, making them less effective. The iDust tool was created by researchers at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It offers a faster and more accurate way to forecast dust storms compared to older systems. 'Dust storms not only block sunlight but also accumulate on solar panels, reducing their power output,' said Chen Xi, a scientist involved in a study published in the Journal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems. This system is important for countries with large solar energy farms in dry and sandy regions. When dust storms are predicted correctly, it helps reduce delays and financial losses. Compared to the current model used in Europe, iDust produces forecasts with better detail and needs less time—generating 10-day dust forecasts in only six hours after collecting data. The iDust tool works by including dust movements directly in the weather simulation, allowing for more accurate predictions while only using a little more computer power than usual weather systems.
Observer
06-04-2025
- Climate
- Observer
Summer is almost here as temperatures cross 40°C in some governorates
Muscat: Just as the holy month of Ramadhan and the Eid al-Fitr just passed by with people taking advantage of the weather conducive for outdoor socialising and vacationing, temperatures in most governorates of the Sultanate of Oman have started going up at a brisk pace. The Sultanate of Oman is witnessing a steady rise in temperatures, with mercury levels touching 40°C across many governorates, which mark the onset of summer and the gradual end of winter. The Wilayat of Sur recorded the highest temperature of 41°C during the last 24 hours, according to the Oman Meteorology bulletin. In the capital, Bausher reported 40.6°C, Samail 39.6°C, Jaalan Bani Bu Hassan 38.7°C, and Al Buraimi 39°C. It may be noted that 2024 was the planet's warmest year on record, according to an analysis by scientists from NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has confirmed that 2024 is the warmest year on record, based on six international datasets. The past ten years have all been in the Top Ten, in an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures. A study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences found that ocean warming in 2024 played a key role in the record high temperatures. The ocean is the warmest it has ever been as recorded by humans, not only at the surface but also for the upper 2000 meters, according to the study led by Prof. Lijing Cheng with the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It involved a team of 54 scientists from seven countries and 31 institutes. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset. About 90% of the excess heat from global warming is stored in the ocean, making ocean heat content a critical indicator of climate change. From 2023 to 2024, the global upper 2000 m ocean heat content increase is 16 zettajoules (1021 Joules), about 140 times the world's total electricity generation in 2023, according to the study, which is based on the Institute of Atmospheric Physics dataset.
