In an exciting journey through the realms of science, researchers are delving into the profound limits of what can be known about the universe. This exploration begins with Pierre-Simon Laplace's bold 1814 assertion that if a hypothetical "demon" possessed complete knowledge of the present, it would predict the future with flawless accuracy. However, since that time, various scientific breakthroughs have revealed the stark limitations of our understanding.

The dawn of the 20th century introduced quantum mechanics, demonstrating that the universe is not as predictable as Laplace envisioned. Quantum particles exist in a world of probabilities rather than certainties, evading precise measurement until observation occurs. Furthermore, the emergence of chaos theory highlighted that even slight variations in initial conditions could dramatically alter outcomes, akin to the butterfly effect where a butterfly's wing flap could influence distant weather patterns.

Despite these challenges, a new area of exploration, known as undecidability, is emerging as a significant frontier for physicists. Toby Cubitt, a computer scientist and physicist from University College London, emphasizes that even with perfect information, certain systems remain inherently unpredictable. This concept has broad implications, suggesting that there exist some questions about a system's future that can never be conclusively answered, even by an omniscient being.

In the computational realm, undecidability is well-known among mathematicians and computer scientists, and researchers are now linking these theoretical concepts to physical systems. This convergence establishes a hard boundary around the limits of predictability in physics. David Wolpert from the Santa Fe Institute elaborates that this understanding indicates a definitive limitation on human knowledge, which cannot be transcended.

One striking demonstration of these limits came from Cris Moore's theoretical pinball machine created in 1990. This model, which illustrated Turing machine principles, was simple in concept yet complex in behavior. It highlighted how chaotic conditions can produce undecidable outcomes—revealing a level of unpredictability that challenges traditional scientific assumptions.

Moore’s experimental setup, resembling a pinball game, represented the operations of a Turing machine. He crafted a unique system where the ball's trajectory mimicked the algorithmic calculations of a Turing machine, illustrating profound unpredictability. The notion of the "halting problem," established by Alan Turing, suggests that it is impossible to predict whether certain computer programs will cease or run indefinitely, thus revealing inherent limitations in computation itself.

Recent findings have further illustrated undecidability’s presence in large quantum systems. A groundbreaking study led by Cubitt and collaborators established that the spectral gap—a crucial property determining quantum materials—can be fundamentally undecidable. Their work not only bridges computer science and quantum physics but also posits that no universal method exists to predict properties across all quantum materials.

Moreover, researchers are exploring undecidability beyond quantum physics, investigating whether fluids might perform computations. In line with this, a collaborative effort has shown that the dynamics of fluidic motion can embody Turing machine operations, connecting physical phenomena with theoretical computation.

As researchers forge ahead, they encounter profound conclusions: while abstract mathematical theories may articulate limits, physical experiments confront the reality of finite systems, complicating the application of undecidability to concrete scenarios. Nonetheless, the implications of these discoveries are significant. While achieving complete knowledge akin to Laplace’s vision appears elusive, scientists are slowly mapping out the intricate boundaries of understandability in our universe.

It’s a vivid reminder that while we push the frontiers of knowledge, certain enigmas remain embedded in the fabric of reality—a thrilling challenge for current and future generations of scientists. As we delve deeper into the cosmos, the quest for understanding continues, driven by the unexpected revelations along the way.