At the University of Michigan, cutting-edge high-performance computing (HPC) is revolutionizing research by solving previously insurmountable problems. This innovative approach uses powerful hardware combined with advanced computational algorithms. Artificial intelligence (AI) is integral, speeding up scientific computing and enabling researchers to derive insights from complex data sets.
“When computational algorithms, infrastructure and AI advance together, they dramatically expand what we can model, predict, design and discover,” said Karthik Duraisamy, Arthur B. Modine Professor of Engineering and Samir and Puja Kaul Director of the Michigan Institute for Computational Discovery and Engineering. “Computationally driven medical and engineering breakthroughs at U-M are already saving lives and delivering significant societal benefits.”
U-M’s new partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory aims to launch a supercomputing facility in Washtenaw County. This initiative aligns with the university’s strategy to leverage HPC and AI for groundbreaking, lifesaving discoveries serving the public interest.
AI spots hidden cancer during surgery
At Michigan Medicine, Todd Hollon employs AI with advanced imaging to enhance glioma diagnosis and treatment. Gliomas, the most common adult brain tumors, pose a challenge as cancerous cells blend into healthy tissue. Traditional methods often miss residual cancer cells.
U-M’s AI system identifies these cells during surgery, providing real-time diagnostics within 10 seconds. This innovation reduces undetected tumor remnants from 24% to 4%, lowering recurrence risk and boosting survival rates. Used daily, it promises broader applications for pediatric brain tumors and other cancers.
“Our AI system improves surgical accuracy by up to four times compared to standard methods,” Hollon said. “This leads to safer, more effective brain tumor removal and longer survival for patients. With potential applications for other cancers, this technology showcases the life-saving promise of AI in medicine.”
Rebuilding the body
Indika Rajapakse, associate professor of computational medicine and bioinformatics, leads a team using AI and HPC to regenerate bone marrow from skin cells post-chemotherapy. Bone marrow is vital for producing blood cells that fight infection and heal tissues.
Activating specific genes, Rajapakse’s team reprograms skin cells into bone marrow cells, minimizing immune rejection. This research may pave the way for regenerating heart muscle post-heart attack or creating insulin-producing cells for diabetes.
“We call this work the treatment for the treatment,” Rajapakse said. “By combining high-performance computing and AI, we’re advancing the technology to reprogram a patient’s own skin cells into bone marrow cells after chemotherapy. This represents a major shift from traditional approaches, allowing us to address bone marrow transplant complications and tailor recovery to the patient. The power of these technologies is opening doors in medicine we never thought possible.”
AI and HPC modeling enable researchers to experiment beyond physical world constraints. Unlocking thousands of possibilities at once, these models reveal insights unobtainable by traditional means.
Anticipating danger, saving lives
With increasing geomagnetic storms due to the sun’s activity cycle, modern technology faces threats from solar disturbances. U-M researchers use HPC and AI to model “space weather,” predicting solar winds to safeguard communications and power grids.
In aviation, U-M engineers are creating lightweight, durable electric batteries for eVTOL vehicles, crucial for roles like cargo delivery and emergency response. These vehicles promise to deliver donor organs or medical care faster than ambulances, reaching areas inaccessible to helicopters.
Simulations of building responses to severe events like earthquakes help improve safety, preventing collapse and saving lives.
A strategy for the public good
U-M’s vision to harness HPC and AI as interconnected systems aims to benefit the public. “AI is advancing at a pace unlike any technology we’ve seen before,” said Arthur Lupia, vice president for research and innovation. “While there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits are extraordinary. We recognize both the promise and the responsibility. It’s not enough for U-M to simply participate. We have a duty to lead, setting ethical standards, shaping policy and ensuring that these innovations truly serve the public good.”
“As stewards of this transformative era, we’re committed to making sure AI’s remarkable potential is realized responsibly and to its fullest, for the benefit of all.”
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