Nvidia Supercomputer Deal with DOE Brings New Doudna System by Nvidia and Dell

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a major supercomputer deal with Nvidia and Dell Technologies. As reported by Reuters, the DOE will build a new supercomputer called “Doudna” that will be ready by 2026. This powerful machine will be located at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Berkeley, California.

The supercomputer is named after Jennifer Doudna, the Nobel Prize-winning scientist known for her work on CRISPR gene editing. The Doudna supercomputer will help over 11,000 researchers make new scientific discoveries. It will use Nvidia’s latest AI chips and Dell’s advanced liquid-cooled servers.

A New Supercomputer Will Boost Scientific Research

Doudna is designed for power cutting-edge scientific research. It will use Nvidia’s newest chips, called Vera Rubin, which are specially designed for advanced computing and AI. These chips will run on Dell’s powerful, energy-efficient servers.

The goal is to give scientists more computing power to study complex problems in biology, chemistry, physics, and climate science. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright explained at the launch event, “It will advance scientific discovery, from chemistry to physics to biology.”

Jennifer Doudna, who attended the event, shared how important DOE support was in her early research. She said, “Today, I think we’re standing at a really interesting moment in biology that really marks the intersection of biology with computing.” This shows how supercomputers like Doudna can support the next big breakthroughs in science.

Nvidia’s AI chips will allow the Doudna supercomputer to process massive amounts of data quickly. This helps researchers run simulations, analyze DNA, study new materials, and explore clean energy technologies. Dell’s liquid cooling will keep the machines running smoothly and save energy at the same time.

This Nvidia contract by DOE is a major step in strengthening the United States’ position in scientific leadership. It is also an example of how government and private companies can work together to create powerful smart tools for the future.

National Security and Global Competition Also Play a Role

While the Doudna supercomputer is meant for research, it will also support national security. The DOE’s supercomputers are used to test and maintain the U.S. nuclear weapons systems without having to conduct actual nuclear tests. This is an important part of keeping the country safe.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also attended the event and spoke about the importance of supercomputers. He said, “The scientific supercomputer is one of humanity’s most vital instruments. It is the instrument for advancing knowledge discovery. It is the foundation of scientific discovery for our country. It is also a foundation for economic and technology leadership. And with that, national security.”

However, Nvidia is also facing questions from U.S. lawmakers over its global business activities. Recently, Nvidia announced plans to open a research center in Shanghai, China. This raised concerns about national security, especially regarding the sale of advanced AI chips to foreign countries.

Both Republican and Democratic senators, including Jim Banks and Elizabeth Warren, sent a letter to Nvidia’s CEO expressing their concerns. Senator Tom Cotton wrote on social media, “Keeping advanced AI chips out of the hands of the Chinese Communists isn’t about business, it’s a national security issue.”

Export rules currently block the sale of Nvidia’s most powerful chips to China. These restrictions have already cost the company billions in lost revenue. Still, the U.S. government is firm in its belief that these rules are necessary to protect sensitive technologies.

Despite these challenges, Nvidia’s AI chip delivery for the DOE’s Doudna project continues. Dell’s AI supercomputer is expected to become a key part of the DOE AI project in 2026.