Mary Coombs, installed at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory, gives the Hartree Centre a 24.41-petaflop supercomputer aimed at UK business and public-sector workloads from drug discovery to climate research.
The GPU-based system is built for AI, advanced visualisation and large-scale data processing, replacing Scafell Pike with tenfold higher performance while using energy more efficiently.
Hartree said the upgrade supports its model of offering high-performance computing as a service, helping organisations that cannot afford or manage complex GPU infrastructure gain access to computing and data expertise.
The centre is already applying that capability across NHS staff-scheduling projects with Alder Hey, AI-led solar materials discovery with Swansea University, fusion digital twins with UKAEA and weather modelling with the Met Office.
The launch also fits a broader UK push into advanced computing, as Hartree expands hybrid quantum-classical work and points to government plans to invest £2 billion in quantum innovation.
Is the UK's strategy of merging AI, HPC, and quantum creating a new blueprint for scientific breakthroughs?
As AI's energy needs soar, how is the Hartree Centre tackling the environmental cost of its own supercomputing power?
Beyond major partnerships, how is the UK's quantum investment truly empowering small businesses to compete globally?
Mary Coombs Supercomputer: 24.41 Petaflops Powering UK Innovation and Industrial Growth
Overview
Launched in October 2025, the Mary Coombs supercomputer represents a major step forward for UK innovation and industry. Deployed at the STFC Supercomputing Centre in Daresbury, it is named after Mary Coombs, the UK’s first woman commercial programmer. This naming highlights the Hartree Centre’s mission to make supercomputing and digital technologies accessible for UK businesses, bridging the gap between advanced research and real-world applications. With powerful computational capabilities, Mary Coombs supports industry and public sector organizations in adopting cutting-edge technologies, helping to drive productivity, growth, and practical solutions across the UK.