A new study has revealed how the distinctive mounds built by termites in Africa are ventilated, offering potential lessons for human architects in designing more energy-efficient buildings.

The study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, found that the termites use a combination of convection and diffusion to circulate air through their mounds. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of a fluid, while diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

The termites build their mounds using a mixture of soil, saliva, and other materials. The mounds are typically cone-shaped, with a central chimney that allows air to circulate. The termites use their saliva to create a waterproof coating on the inside of the mound, which helps to prevent the air from escaping.

The study found that the termites control the temperature and humidity inside their mounds by adjusting the size of the chimney and the amount of saliva they use to coat the inside of the mound. When the temperature is high, the termites enlarge the chimney and increase the amount of saliva they use to coat the inside of the mound. This helps to cool the mound down. When the temperature is low, the termites reduce the size of the chimney and decrease the amount of saliva they use to coat the inside of the mound. This helps to warm the mound up.

The study also found that the termites use the air circulation in their mounds to transport food and water. The termites collect food and water from the outside of the mound and then carry it back into the mound through the chimney. The air circulation helps to distribute the food and water throughout the mound.

The study's findings could offer lessons for human architects in designing more energy-efficient buildings. The termites' use of convection and diffusion to circulate air through their mounds could be used to design buildings that are more naturally ventilated. This could reduce the need for air conditioning and heating, which would save energy and money.

The study's findings could also be used to design buildings that are more resilient to climate change. The termites' ability to control the temperature and humidity inside their mounds could be used to design buildings that are better able to withstand extreme weather conditions.

The study's findings are a reminder of the ingenuity of nature. The termites' ability to build such complex and efficient structures could inspire human architects to design more sustainable and resilient buildings.