They have created computer simulated 3 Dimensional snowflakes. They think they can teach physicists a lot about how nature "self-assembles complex structuress

Two mathematicians have for the first time created a computer
simulation that generates realistic three-dimensional snowflakes,
although even they are not sure how it works.

there is something worrying about the potential implications of such a statement. Not necessarily in this context, but just the thought that we are able to create programs that WORK without us really fully understanding them...........or is it just me?

Having said that, this sounds super exciting and i'm curious to see how the research process develops!

Not knowing how it works reminds me a bit about Art.
I imagine it would be a useful inclusion in some graphic design programs. Real life physical applications can wait until they know what they are doing. Perhaps they'll work backwards. As for scientists not having any idea how things work generally, perhaps that is why scientists are surprised so often. At least this time they admit it early.

I second that.