Undergrad What are the biggest problems in the study of complex systems?

[Tim667]

TL;DR

In the study of complex systems found in nature, what are the biggest unsolved problems?

What are the practical purposes of studying complex systems found in nature? And applying statistical methods to them etc.

 

[berkeman]

Summary:: In the study of complex systems found in nature, what are the biggest unsolved problems?

What are the practical purposes of studying complex systems found in nature? And applying statistical methods to them etc.

What have you found in your research so far? What is your definition of Complex Systems?

 

[DaveE]

Summary:: In the study of complex systems found in nature, what are the biggest unsolved problems?

What are the practical purposes of studying complex systems found in nature? And applying statistical methods to them etc.

"complex systems found in nature" is much too broad of a category to get a useful answer, IMO. As is "biggest unsolved problems".

But I'll toss out one for consideration: Weather prediction. I'll leave the practical purpose for you to figure out.

 

[Tim667]

"complex systems found in nature" is much too broad of a category to get a useful answer, IMO. As is "biggest unsolved problems".

But I'll toss out one for consideration: Weather prediction. I'll leave the practical purpose for you to figure out.

Fair point. I'll be more specific next time. Within the study active matter, do you know at all what the biggest underlying problems here would be?

 

[Tim667]

Within say, active matter, would you know what the biggest problems would be? As well as the practical purpose of studying such a subject

Specifically the way certain active matter systems self organise etc

 

[Haborix]

You might benefit from reading this Reviews of Modern Physics paper on the topic (here is a link to an arxiv version if you don't have access to the RMP article). Given, that article is 8 years old now and my impression was that active matter was still a hot topic in those eight years, so much has probably happened in those eight years. I have no useful personal knowledge on the subject.

EDIT: Also, you would probably get a good idea of what people are doing by looking at the research of the authors on that review article. I recognize at least three names of very accomplished people in that field.