James Kermode, assistant professor of engineering at the University of Warwick, is leading a study using Mira, an IBM Blue Gene/Q supercomputer at Argonne Leadership Computing Facility, to simulate the many ways silica crumbles. The long-term goal is to understand fractures thoroughly and then to develop, on one hand, tough new configurations for implants, electronics and construction and, on the other hand, mining techniques that are safer and more environmentally friendly than current methods.