The U.S. Department of Energy recently approved the development of a new flagship supercomputer named “Doudna.” It will help researchers solve big problems in science, medicine, and national security. This machine will start working in 2026 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Table of Contents
Fact About Doudna Supercomputer
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Doudna |
| Why It’s Named | Honors Nobel Prize winner Jennifer Doudna (CRISPR gene editing) |
| Where | Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, California |
| When | Coming online in 2026 |
| Built By | Dell (servers) + Nvidia (Vera Rubin chips) |
| Who Uses It | ~11,000 scientists |
| Why It Matters | Enables next-gen research in science/AI/security |
Why Is Doudna Special?
Here are some important features of Doudna that make it special.
1. Made for AI and Science
Doudna will help researchers:
- Study diseases (like cancer) faster.
- Improve climate change predictions.
- Train advanced AI models.
2. Uses Next-Gen Technology
- Liquid cooling – Keeps the machine from overheating.
- Nvidia’s “Vera Rubin” chips – Makes AI calculations faster.
3. Part of U.S. Science Leadership
The U.S. wants to stay ahead in supercomputing. Doudna joins other famous supercomputers like:
- Frontier (world’s fastest in 2024).
- El Capitan (used for nuclear research).
How Does Doudna Compare to Other Supercomputers?
| Feature | Doudna (2026) | Frontier (2024) | El Capitan (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very fast (exact speed not yet known) | #1 fastest in 2024 | Built for nuclear research |
| Purpose | AI + general science | General science | Nuclear safety + weapons testing |
| Location | California | Tennessee | California |
FAQs
How fast is Doudna?
We don’t know yet, but it will be much faster than most computers today.
Can students use Doudna?
Only approved scientists can use it, but schools sometimes get access for special projects.
Will Doudna help with climate change?
Yes! It will improve weather models and clean energy research.
