Installed at LNCC, the Santos Dumont Supercomputer Ranks 89th in the Global Ranking, is the Most Efficient in Latin America, and Performs an Amazing 20 Quadrillion Operations per Second!
Does Brazil have one of the most powerful and efficient supercomputers in the world? The Santos Dumont, installed at the National Laboratory of Scientific Computing (LNCC) in Rio de Janeiro, has reached the 89th position in the global Top500 ranking, establishing itself as the most powerful in Latin America for academic research. Want to know how it got there? Let’s explore!
What Is the Santos Dumont Supercomputer?
A supercomputer is not just a bigger computer; it is a machine capable of performing gigantic calculations at impressive speeds. To give you an idea, while your home computer has a few processing cores, the Santos Dumont operates with an impressive 68,064 cores, delivering a capacity of 20 quadrillion operations per second! It is essential for research that requires high performance, such as climate simulations and genetic analyses.
Among the 500 most powerful computers on the planet, the Santos Dumont shines with its efficiency. In addition, it ranks 39th in the Green500 ranking, which assesses the energy efficiency of machines, standing out as the most sustainable in Latin America.
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The Impact of Santos Dumont on Research in Brazil

From agribusiness to health, the Santos Dumont plays a crucial role in advancing Brazilian science. Projects that require extensive calculations, such as drug simulations and genomic analyses, can now be completed in record time, accelerating the development of innovative solutions.
Imagine a team of scientists trying to decipher the structure of a protein to combat a disease. Previously, this analysis could take months. With the Santos Dumont, the work is completed in days, significantly boosting productivity and results.
The Update with the BullSequana XH3000 Architecture
With an investment of US$ 19.4 million, a result of a partnership with Petrobras, the Santos Dumont received new equipment based on BullSequana XH3000 technology from Eviden. This update quadrupled its capacity, making it even more robust for handling complex demands.
The collaboration with strategic companies and institutions strengthens the role of the Santos Dumont as a protagonist in the global technological landscape. This synergy is essential for keeping Brazil at the forefront of innovation.
Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of the Supercomputer
Being powerful is not enough; the Santos Dumont is also efficient. It was designed to consume less energy, a differentiator that has placed it among the 40 most sustainable in the world.
In addition to reducing energy consumption, the supercomputer is about to receive a new cooling system that will decrease water usage, contributing to more sustainable practices.
A Step into the Future: The Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA)
The Santos Dumont is a key piece in the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan, which aims to transform Brazil into a hub of technological innovation. This plan aims not only for advances in AI but also for direct benefits to the economy and society.
With the support of the PBIA, the country is paving the way to become a global reference. This means more jobs, more innovation, and a more positive impact on people’s lives.
The Santos Dumont is more than just a supercomputer; it is a symbol of how Brazil can lead in science and technology. With its impact on research, energy efficiency, and its role in the future of artificial intelligence, it inspires us to dream bigger.

Esse é o Rio dê janeiro quê é um orgulho pára o Brasil, sempre na vanguarda dás ciências e tecnologias, parabéns ao nosso Rio dê janeiro,o oxigênio do conhecimento,