Latest news with #LICOMK++
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.
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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.
South China Morning Post
12-05-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Amid US chip sanctions and climate pressure, China builds mighty ocean simulation system
Chinese researchers have unveiled the world's most advanced ocean simulation system with a resolution of 1km (0.6 mile) – an unprecedented benchmark. Advertisement The feat defies technological restrictions imposed by US semiconductor export controls designed to hobble China's supercomputing sector. The simulation system, named LICOMK++ and developed by teams from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Atmospheric Physics and Computer Network Information Centre, has broken computational barriers to deliver unparalleled precision in modelling global ocean dynamics and climate patterns. Dubbed an ocean 'microscope', the ultra-high-resolution simulator enables scientists to analyse intricate processes like eddies and heat transport with groundbreaking clarity, significantly enhancing predictions for extreme weather events such as typhoons, marine heatwaves and floods, state news agency Xinhua reported last Thursday. The innovation underscores China's push to overcome high-performance computing challenges and achieve self-reliance in critical technologies amid strict Western technology embargoes. Advertisement It aims to advance global climate research and empower agencies to refine disaster response strategies and coastal resilience planning, offering a lifeline as climate-related economic losses mount worldwide.
