July 2023 Summaries

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a transformative approach in engineering that leverages digital models to streamline the development of complex systems by integrating mechanical, software, electrical, and electronic disciplines. It replaces traditional document-centric methods, which are often siloed and prone to human error, with a centralized digital modeling environment that consolidates all essential system information, serving as a "single source of truth." MBSE is particularly beneficial in industries such as aerospace, defense, healthcare, and manufacturing, as it enhances collaboration, improves data accessibility, reduces development risks, and accelerates time to market. It relies on three core components: the systems architecture model, engineering simulation software, and a centralized data system, each playing a critical role in reducing costs and improving efficiency. Advanced platforms like Rescale offer tools that facilitate MBSE by providing high-performance computing environments that support simulation, data management, and collaboration, ultimately ensuring a robust development process that aligns with stakeholder requirements and optimizes system reliability.

Joris Poort, CEO and founder of Rescale, highlights the dual challenges of computing's carbon footprint and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in his articles published by the World Economic Forum, coinciding with his participation at the WEF's 14th Annual Meeting of New Champions. Poort discusses sustainable computing practices, emphasizing the increased demand for energy due to AI's expansion and proposing steps such as improving utilization through cloud computing and using sustainable energy sources to mitigate this impact. He underscores the importance of cloud-based high-performance computing (HPC) services, which offer flexibility and energy efficiency compared to traditional on-premises data centers. However, he acknowledges the complexity of transitioning to cloud infrastructure due to the rapid pace of chip innovation and the need for automation in selecting appropriate hardware for specific applications. Additionally, Poort explores AI's potential to revolutionize engineering and product design, noting that AI can enhance and sometimes replace traditional simulations, thereby reducing costs and accelerating innovation. He emphasizes the importance of high-quality data for AI training to ensure societal benefits while navigating risks and calls for best practices in engineering and research to facilitate this transition effectively.

Rescale has been certified as a Microsoft Cloud for Manufacturing partner, enhancing its capabilities to provide high-performance computing (HPC) solutions tailored for manufacturers in the Industry 4.0 era. This partnership allows Rescale to integrate its platform with Microsoft Azure, offering manufacturers the ability to streamline research and development processes by automating and simplifying the use of cloud computing resources. By leveraging Azure's powerful VM series, manufacturers can accelerate time to market, improve product quality, and reduce costs through advanced computing technologies such as IoT, AI, and mixed reality. This collaboration is poised to empower engineering teams with safe and agile operations, enhance supply chain resilience, and drive innovation across various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Rescale aims to connect the digital thread for manufacturers, facilitating simulations, analyses, and AI-driven design improvements, which are crucial for mitigating risks and optimizing efficiency in product development.

Wenbo Du shares his professional journey to finding fulfillment and growth at Rescale, a company offering a scalable platform for high-performance computing (HPC) that aids in scientific and technological breakthroughs across various industries. After working in aerospace engineering and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) at Siemens, Du transitioned to Rescale in 2020, initially as a support engineer, before becoming the director of the global support team. He highlights the distinction between a good job and one that makes a difference, emphasizing Rescale's mission to empower innovators and its impact in fields such as aerospace, automotive, and life sciences. Du expresses pride in being able to grow, learn, and contribute to meaningful advancements, finding a sense of purpose and accomplishment at Rescale, which he describes as being at the forefront of innovation and a place where people can make a tangible difference in the world.

Advancements in AI engineering and research are increasingly reliant on computing power, with specialized and domain-specific computing architectures playing a crucial role in driving digital exploration across fields like genomics and aerodynamics. Rescale has developed the Compute Recommendation Engine (CRE), which utilizes AI to optimize computing stacks for various workloads, leveraging multi-cloud infrastructure for enhanced performance and cost efficiency. This AI-driven tool helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of over 1,500 unique computing architectures, offering tailored recommendations that have demonstrated significant improvements in simulation speeds and cost reductions. As Moore’s Law reaches its limits, the emergence of domain-specific architectures, such as those from NVIDIA and cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud, has enabled performance gains that surpass traditional metrics. Rescale’s CRE, with its data-driven approach and recurrent neural networks, provides near-instantaneous predictive benchmarks, helping companies select the most effective HPC architecture for their needs, thereby boosting productivity and accelerating innovation. The CRE continuously updates its recommendations as new technologies emerge, ensuring organizations remain at the forefront of computational advancements.