Latest news with #ArgonneNationalLab
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
'Aurora,' new super computer at Argonne National Lab to help solve science's biggest problems
The Brief Aurora, a $500 million supercomputer at Argonne National Lab, can perform a quintillion calculations per second and will run 24/7. Spanning two basketball courts, it supports research in cancer, AI, astrophysics, and more. Scientists worldwide can apply to use Aurora, which is seen as a major tool for global scientific breakthroughs. LEMONT, Ill. - Whether it's nuclear fusion, curing cancer or exploring the universe, scientists at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont have a big and fast new computing tool at their disposal. And its name is Aurora. What we know "We're here to celebrate Aurora, which is our new supercomputer," said Argonne Director of Science for Supercomputing Katherine Riley. "It's one of the biggest systems in the world."On Wednesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for one of the biggest artificial brains in the world, which was switched on earlier this year. Aurora is a supercomputing system as large as two basketball courts, taking up an entire floor at Argonne. It's powered with 300 miles of cable and cooled by 44,000 gallons of water. "Aurora is a strategic national asset for America, and it's already helping us deliver breakthrough science for global impact," said Argonne Laboratory Director Paul makes this computer special is the number and speed of calculations it can perform each second. That number? A one followed by 18 zeros. It's the same as if every human being on earth simultaneously solved 125 million math problems in a second. "It's big. We're talking about a really big number," said Riley. Aurora will be made available to scientists and researchers from all over the world to solve all manner of problems. "Every area of biology. Astrophysics. Cosmology and how we blow up stars. Chemistry. Material science. Particle physics," said Riley. University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos said supercomputers like Aurora are at the forefront of artificial intelligence. "Essentially, we're at the dawn of the age of thinking as scientists with machines, where the machines are equal partners," he $500 million supercomputer was built with funds from the Department of Energy. Energy Sec. Chris Wright, on hand for the dedication, said artificial intelligence is not something to be feared. "Artificial intelligence isn't humans. It's a tool to make humans more powerful and grow their dreams and grow their achievements," Wright who gets to use Aurora? Scientists, researchers, and companies interested in using its brain power must apply for time on the machine. And yes, it will be running 24/7, 365 days a year. The Source Details for this story were provided by Fox 32 reporting. Solve the daily Crossword
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Hybrid vs EV vs Gas: Which Actually Saves You the Most Money?
In 2025, you can buy a Toyota Prius, skip the gas station for days, and still complain about the ride quality on potholes. That's the hybrid life: part monk, part commuter ninja. And with gas prices moonwalking toward $4 again, it's a lifestyle many Americans are still buying into-over 1.2 million hybrid sales last year alone. But the EV crowd is yelling louder every year: "Just go all electric!" So let's settle it - does the hybrid still make financial sense? Or is it a stepping stone past its prime? We did the math. Real numbers. Real assumptions. No "green halo" pricing fluff. Figure 1: 10-Year Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Over a 10-year period, electric vehicles (EVs) can be the most cost-effective option-but only under ideal conditions like access to home charging and sufficient annual mileage. According to DOE and Argonne National Lab, hybrids remain the lowest total cost of ownership for the average American, especially for those without dedicated charging infrastructure. Assumptions: ICE: $28K purchase, $1,500/year fuel, $600/year maintenanceHybrid: $30K purchase, $1,200/year fuel, $700/year maintenanceEV: $35K purchase, $400/year electricity, $300/year maintenance The hybrid buyer still spends a little more upfront than the gas car buyer, but makes it back over time. You're saving around $300 a year at the pump, and while maintenance isn't zero (hello, regenerative braking sensors), it's generally lower than ICE over the long haul. Add in federal tax credits or state perks, and hybrids remain one of the best deals on the road, especially if you're putting in 15,000+ miles per year. Clarification: While EVs offer lower operational costs, hybrids remain the cheapest total cost option for many average-use cases, per Argonne. Here's the truth: EVs are significantly cheaper to run - when you can charge at home. Charging at home averages $400/year in electricity, compared to $1,200 in gas for a hybrid. Plus, there's no oil to change, no spark plugs to replace, and your brake pads last longer thanks to regen braking. But that advantage flips quickly if you rely on public fast-charging, which can be 3x to 5x more expensive than home charging. According to DOE/Argonne, EVs relying heavily on public charging often end up more expensive than hybrids or ICE cars over 10 years. EVs can save you about $7,000 over 10 years - but only if you charge smart and often at home. The myth that hybrids are more expensive to maintain because of "two powertrains" doesn't hold up. Most hybrid systems are built like tanks. Inverters or battery packs rarely fail under warranty, and regenerative brakes reduce wear. Meanwhile, ICE cars need regular oil changes, timing belt swaps, and eventually, catalytic converter work. EVs? Lowest upkeep by far. Scheduled EV maintenance at 6 cents per mile, compared to 10 cents for gas cars. However, battery replacement costs remain a wildcard for EVs beyond the warranty period, usually past year 8 or 10. That risk keeps hybrids competitive. So, here's what the numbers and studies actually tell us: The hybrid still offers the lowest total cost of ownership for the average driver, especially those without home charging or lower annual can be more affordable, but only with access to home chargingand consistent vehicles remain the costliest long-term, due to fuel and maintenance costs. So no, hybrids aren't a "marketing mirage." They're still the smartest move for the gas-averse, chargerless majority. And EVs? They're the future, but not everyone's present. The real question is this: Will the hybrid stay a stepping stone or become the sensible forever car? Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Business Journals
02-05-2025
- Science
- Business Journals
The Beat: Argonne National Lab explores AI
In the latest edition of The Beat, get to know how artificial intelligence is being used at Argonne National Lab.
