Snowflake simulation #18

A particular snowflake simulated for different values of the θ parameter using the Gravner-Griffeath reaction-diffusion model, which creates... more

by Martin Krzywinski

Title

Snowflake simulation #18

Artist

Martin Krzywinski

Medium

Digital Art - Digital

Description

A particular snowflake simulated for different values of the θ parameter using the Gravner-Griffeath reaction-diffusion model, which creates compellingly realistic snowflakes.

The snowflake’s radial symmetry is inherited from the hexagon grid on which it grows. Three different kinds of mass are simulated at different grid sites: ice, quasi-liquid and vapor. Initially, ρ amount of ice is initialized at a snowflake site and ρ vapor mass everywhere else. The model then transports and transforms a fraction of these masses by diffusion, freezing (controlled by κ) and melting (controlled by μ and γ). For example, during freezing a fraction κ of vapor at a boundary mass becomes ice and the remaining fraction 1–κ becomes quasi-liquid. Boundary sites around the snowflake become part of the snowflake through a process of attachment, which is controlled by the parameters α, β and θ, which act as cutoff values. Once a site becomes part of the snowflake, all of its mass becomes ice that no longer changes.

Explore the full collection of snowflakes at http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/snowflakes

Uploaded

December 26th, 2017

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