Research Collaboration: National Supercomputing Center

Group photo of the NSCC-WX delegation and XJTLU School of Science research team(From left to right):  

Front row: Simeng Qian (NSCC-WX), Prof. Li Yang,  Zhao Liu (NSCC-WX), Prof. John Moraros, Jianfeng Bian  (Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau),  Jiming Wu (NSCC-WX).  Middle row: Dr. Shuihua Wang, Prof. Heechae Choi, Dr. Chun Chan, Dr. Peng Zhao, Husile (NSCC-WX).  Back row: Dr. Lifeng Ding, Gong Bin (NSCC-WX), Mr. Yang You (PhD).  

When atmospheric models meet tera-scale computing power, and nanomaterials collide with intelligent algorithms, a scientific resonance spanning Suzhou and Wuxi is unfolding. On April 9, 2025, the School of Science (SCI) at XJTLU, the National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi (NSCC-WX), and the Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau formally launched the "Supercomputing + Science Disciplines" integration initiative. Building upon their first technical meeting exchange in December 2024, this strategic collaboration brings together multidisciplinary research teams from SCI-XJTLU faculty and NSCC-WX technical experts, along with the Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau serving as the coordinating bridge. This marks a pivotal shift toward practical implementation of "joint technological R&D, shared platform development, and collaborative talent cultivation, injecting new momentum into the innovation ecosystem of the Yangtze River Delta” said Prof. John Moraros, Dean, SCI, XJTLU.

XJTLU team visiting the Sunway TaihuLight supercomputer in Wuxi, December 2024 (From left to right):Jiming Wu (NSCC-WX), Jianfeng Bian (Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau), Sile Hu (NSCC-WX), Dr. Hongkun Yu (NSCC-WX), Dr. Shuihua Wang, Dean John Moraros, Prof. Li Yang, Mr. Yang You (PhD), Prof. Heechae Choi.  

Building Bridges with Supercomputing: From Technical Exchange to Ecosystem Co-creation

In December 2024, Prof. John Moraros, Dean of the XJTLU School of Science, led a research team to NSCC-WX for the first time. Amid the hum of the Sunway TaihuLight supercomputer—a national technological marvel with a peak performance of 125 PetaFLOPS (12.5 billion billion operations per second) making it the tops in the world—the scholars witnessed how computational power redefines scientific paradigms. Breakthroughs such as enhancing climate model resolution by an order of magnitude and revolutionizing drug molecule screening efficiency planted the seeds for collaboration. Mr. Zhao Liu, Deputy Director of NSCC-WX, stated: "As a globally leading high-performance computing platform, we look forward to collaborating with SCI-XJTLU in algorithm optimization and interdisciplinary modeling to accelerate the translation of research outcomes into industrial applications."

Growth: When Interdisciplinary Research Meets Supercomputing Excellence

In the spring of 2025, the seeds of collaboration began to sprout. During the return visit led by NSCC-WX Deputy Director Zhao Liu to the XJTLU campus, Dean John Moraros warmly welcomed the delegation and introduced the School of Science’s academic structure, research platforms, and talent development initiatives, highlighting XJTLU’s leading role and latest advancements in scientific innovation. A roundtable discussion co-chaired by Liu Zhao and Dean Moraros yielded consensus across three key areas:

·  Research Collaboration:Exploration of potential joint research directions, including shared achievements in supercomputing applications and identification of synergistic project opportunities.

·  Internships and Joint Training: Establishment of student internship and dual-mentorship programs, such as the "Supercomputing Elite Program," integrating summer workshops and industry-academia research projects to cultivate talent with expertise in computational science and industry insights.

·  Resource and Ecosystem Sharing: Development of a supercomputing application platform granting SCI and XJTLU students and faculty access to computational resources, alongside joint applications for national, provincial, and municipal research funding opportunities to advance collaborative scientific endeavors.

Following the meeting, the NSCC-WX delegation toured XJTLU’s campus and SCI’s research facilities under Dean Moraros’ guidance. The visit provided firsthand insights into XJTLU’s educational philosophy and impressive research capabilities, fostering mutual trust and laying a robust foundation for future collaboration.

Integration: Government-Industry-Academia Synergy

Representatives from the Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau emphasized their full support for deepening collaboration between SCI-XJTLU and NSCC-WX. Through policy incentives and platform development, they aim to accelerate the industrialization of research outcomes in Wuxi’s strategic sectors, including advanced materials and biotechnology.

Vision: Bridging Academia and Supercomputing

Dean John Moraros remarked: "This collaboration transcends resource integration—it represents the fusion of international educational and research excellence and national strategic technological prowess. The School of Science at XJTLU will leverage its interdisciplinary strengths to pioneer breakthroughs in fundamental science driven by high-performance computing."

As the collaboration agreement takes shape, students will gain access to NSCC-WX’s supercomputing resources for cutting-edge research projects, while supercomputing methodologies will be embedded into curricula across biomedical sciences, environmental science, chemistry and materials science, and biosciences disciplines. This partnership aims to empower and support both institutions research agendas and significantly contribute to regional growth and national technological innovation.

From the shores of Taihu Lake to Jinji Lake in Suzhou, the tripartite collaboration between SCI-XJTLU, NSCC-WX, and the Wuxi Science and Technology Bureau is writing a vibrant chapter of "empowering education through technology and fueling industry through education" according to Professor Adam Cross, Associate Vice President of Education, XJTLU.  Moving forward, the partners will deepen their collaboration, using high-performance computing as a lever to synergize fundamental research, applied development, and industrial advancement. “This initiative will enhance XJTLU’s research competitiveness, cultivate innovative talent, and advance China’s supercomputing capabilities to tackle grand scientific challenges” concluded Professor Cross.

Contents: Yang You (XJTLU)

Edited by: Jiming.Wu (NSCCWX),  Zhao.Liu (NSCCWX), 

PhD Yang You (XJTLU), Prof. John Moraros （XJTLU）