cellulecellule

Cellulecellule is a coined term used across multiple disciplines to denote modular, replicated cellular units that combine to form higher-order systems.

Etymology: The word blends cellule, the French word for cell, with reduplication to emphasize duplication and multiplicity.

Conceptual scope: In biology-inspired thinking, cellulecellule can describe paired or twin cell modules that engage in mutual signaling and division of labor. In computing and modeling, it designates a framework for simulating dual-state cellular structures where each unit contains two interacting subunits. In materials science and architecture, it is used to refer to modular units that can be arranged into larger lattices.

Usage and reception: The term has no fixed definition and appears in experimental writings and speculative projects. Proponents highlight its emphasis on duplication and cooperation between subunits, while others use it as a poetic label for modular design.

See also: cellular automata; modular design; biomimicry; replication.