Per the article, they ~~just~~ developed a faster algorithm for a specific type of material simulation.
You're underplaying it.
As per the article:
This has broad implications for industries that require detailed material analysis, including:
Aerospace and Defense: Improved modeling of material stress and failure in aircraft structures.
Engineering and Manufacturing: More efficient testing of materials for construction and industrial applications.
Military Research: Faster development of impact-resistant materials for defense systems.

All analogies have flaws. If they didn't, they wouldn't be an analogy, they would be describing the very thing itself.