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Science 20 December 2002:
Vol. 298. no. 5602, pp. 2336 - 2337
DOI: 10.1126/science.1072560
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Perspectives

OSCILLATING SYSTEMS:
On Emerging Coherence

Arthur T. Winfree

Large populations of similar oscillators can spontaneously get into step with each other, once their coupling exceeds a critical threshold. In his Perspective, Winfree discusses examples of such "emerging coherence," from rhythmic clapping and circadian clocks to oscillating reactions in nanodroplets suspended in oil. He highlights a recent study of emerging coherence in an electrochemical system that achieved sufficient accuracy to test the prevailing theory.

The author, formerly of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA, has recently passed away.

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