X-rays reveal termites' self-cooling, self-ventilating, self-draining skyscrapers

New insight into termites' architectural strategies could help us design more energy efficient self-sustaining buildings for humans. Many species of termite, whose societies are built on hierarchies of kings, queens, workers, and soldiers, live in towering nests that are ventilated by a complex system of tunnels. The nests, also known as mounds, protrude from the ground like skyscrapers and can grow as tall as seven metres. They are also self-cooling, self-ventilating, and self-draining - but until now the mechanisms behind these climate control features has remained unknown. A group of engineers, biologists, chemists and mathematicians lead by Imperial College London, the University of Nottingham, and CNRS-Toulouse have looked closer than ever before at how these nests work using 3D X-ray imaging. They found small holes, or pores, in the walls of termite mounds which help them stay cool, ventilated, and dry. Uncovering secrets of termite nests Dr Bagus Muljadi from the University of Nottingham's School of Engineering was instrumental in bringing the multidisciplinary team together to uncover the secrets of termite nests.