Ventilated nests remove heat and gas: termites

The ovoid nests of termites carry away dangerous accumulations of heat and carbon dioxide via ventilation shafts.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Temperature

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Building design for cooling and safe expulsion of buildup of gases, mine design safety.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

"The outside of this ovoid bunker is perforated by a series of vents or tubes (or vents converging on circumferential tubes giving rise to more vents, or an arrangement even more elaborate); the structure of these vents and tubes is so unique that they are often used for species identification. As a rule, the vents run down from the inside to the outside, which would keep dripping moisture out and draw cool air up and into the structure. The entire home is suspended from all walls on arching pillars. Ventilation shafts bring cool fresh air in and carry warm stale air out." (Gould and Gould 2007:136)

About the inspiring organism

Isoptera
Isoptera

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Building design for cooling and safe expulsion of buildup of gases, mine design safety.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Building, engineering

References

Gould, James L; Gould, Carol Grant. 2007. Animal architects: building and the evolution of intelligence. New York: Basic Books. 324 p.

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Comments

This reminds me of windcatchers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windcatcher). I went inside one of ...

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