Example of a Future Application (IMAGE) Tokyo Institute of Technology Caption In this artist's impression, light-sensitive nodes are scattered over a cultivated field. By virtue of the coupling mechanism, each one is able to interact only with those closer to it, but collectively a coherent activity emerges. Because the latter is similar among the nodes, it is sufficient to record a signal from one of them in order to obtain an estimate of the illumination level over the entire surface. This situation, wherein "the whole is contained in each part" makes it easier to conduct a measurement, compared to having to access each sensor directly. Credit Minati L Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.