WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI — The national laboratory best known for inventing the atomic bomb is partnering with the University of Michigan to build a new facility in Washtenaw County.
This time we are not talking about nuclear research. It’s about artificial intelligence and high performance computing.
Los Alamos National Laboratory and the university are partnering on two centers near Ypsilanti, one for classified activities and the other for unclassified artificial intelligence computing and research, the university said. Officials made the announcement on Wednesday, December 5th.
The plan is to establish two computing centers on a 20-acre site at 10221 Textile Road in Ypsilanti Township, university officials said. The facility will focus on science, energy and national security research.
Best known for being behind the atomic bombing Manhattan Project and the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico, Los Alamos is funded by the federal government and is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.
The university’s relationship with Los Alamos is not new. Robert Oppenheimer, who built the atomic bomb at Los Alamos, taught at the UM Symposium on Theoretical Physics in the summers of 1931 and 1934, among other local connections.
RELATED: Ann Arbor’s many connections to atomic bombing father Robert Oppenheimer
University researchers have been collaborating with Los Alamos researchers for many years. The relationship is now official.
Earlier this year, the university announced that it was partnering with the institute to develop advanced technologies such as AI and sophisticated modeling techniques, and “to tackle complex challenges such as unlocking the potential of nuclear fusion as a source of clean energy.” A five-year, $15 million research contract was signed. ” said the official.
One of the centers, located at the Ypsilanti Township facility, will support Los Alamos scientists and engineers conducting research and development focused on national security AI challenges, university officials said.
The other is for UM faculty, students, and university partners across the state to collaborate with Los Alamos researchers on interdisciplinary research projects, along with joint workforce development and education programs.
Funding for the center is expected to come from federal and state economic development funds.
“Our new partnership and expanded collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory will maintain and strengthen UM’s impact and excellence in research, innovation, and discovery,” University of Michigan President Santa Ono said in a statement. Deaf,” he said.
“This initiative will not only provide exciting new opportunities for students, staff, and faculty, but will also create quality jobs and revitalize Michigan’s position in a growing AI ecosystem and thriving information economy. .”
Ono said the strengthened collaboration between the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory will be beneficial to both institutions.
“Los Alamos advances a wide range of critical national security programs by leveraging high-performance computing, AI, and other capabilities such as advanced materials and manufacturing to deliver cutting-edge solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. ” said Tom Mason of Los Alamos National. The institute director said in a statement:
“This partnership with the University of Michigan provides important new resources to support our data-intensive research,” said Mason.
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