The ensemble axiom proposes that cooperation within an ensemble permits extreme simplification of the parts and enhances the operation of the ensemble

Within claytronics

Claytronics

Claytronics is an abstract future concept that combines nanoscale robotics and computer science to create individual nanometer-scale computers called claytronic atoms, or catoms, which can interact with each other to form tangible 3-D objects that a user can interact with. This idea is more broadly...

 it is stated as: A catom includes only enough functionality to contribute to the functionality desired in the claytronic ensemble.

This term is used within a research area called self-reconfiguring modular robotics and specifically within claytronics

Claytronics

Claytronics is an abstract future concept that combines nanoscale robotics and computer science to create individual nanometer-scale computers called claytronic atoms, or catoms, which can interact with each other to form tangible 3-D objects that a user can interact with. This idea is more broadly...

.