Photo: David Andréen
The climate control used by termites in their mounds could inspire tomorrow’s climate-smart buildings. New research from Lund University in Sweden shows that future buildings inspired by the termites could achieve the same effect as traditional climate control, but with greater energy efficiency and without its carbon dioxide footprint.
Termite mounds have a sophisticated ventilation system that enables air circulation throughout the structure. This helps to maintain and regulate temperature and humidity.
“The digitalisation of design and construction processes creates enormous opportunities for how we shape architecture, and natural and biological systems provide an important model for how we can best utilise these possibilities,” says David Andréen, senior lecturer at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Lund University, who wrote the article.
The results, published in the journal Frontiers in Materials, show a structure for buildings based on termite mounds that facilitates indoor climate control.
“The study focuses on the interior of termite mounds, which consist of thousands of interconnected channels, tunnels and air chambers, and how these capture wind energy in order to “breathe,” or exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide with the surroundings. We have explored how these systems work and how similar structures could be integrated in the walls of buildings to drive the flow of air, heat and moisture in a new way.”
The idea is thus to create new ways to control the airflow in buildings that will be significantly more energy-efficient and climate-smart than traditional air conditioning, which uses the bulk flow principle, normally driven by fans. Instead, it is possible to develop systems that are turbulent, dynamic and variable.
“These can be controlled by very small equipment and require minor energy provision,” says David Andréen.
In the study, the researchers demonstrated how airflows interact with geometry – the parameters in the structure that cause the flows to arise and how they can be selectively regulated. These can be driven without using mechanical components such as fans, valves and similar, as only electronic control is required.
“This a precondition for a distributed system in which many small sensors and regulating devices are placed in the climate-adaptive building envelope through miniaturisation, durability/sustainability and cost reduction,” says David Andréen.
This enables regulation of the building’s indoor climate and to control factors such as temperature and humidity without relying on large fans and heating and air conditioning systems. The mechanisms are dependent on being able to create complex internal geometries (on the millimetre to centimetre scale), which is only possible using 3D printing. Through 3D printing, value can be added to the built environment to create sustainable architecture that otherwise would not have been possible.
“It’s fascinating how the termites’ building process manages to create extremely complex well-functioning “engineering masterpieces”, without having the centralised control or drawings to refer to that we would need,” concludes David Andréen.
Original Article: Climate-friendly air conditioning inspired by termites
More from: Lund University
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Sustainable architecture
- Global Smart Building Market Overview, 2024-2029: Enhanced Occupant Experience, Integration of Cloud-Based Technologies and Automation
The "Global Smart Building Market Overview, 2024-29" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.Global Smart Building Market is anticipated to cross USD 165 Billion by 2029, increasing ...
- TÜV SÜD expands its services for sustainable buildings with strategic acquisition
TÜV SÜD announces the acquisition of the Sustainable Investment Group, LLC (SIG) and Green Building Education Systems, LLC (GBES). The international provider for testing and certification further ...
- LMI Holdings’ Mega Warehouse awarded IFC EDGE Green Building Certification
LMI Holdings’ Mega Warehouse has received the International Financial Corporation (IFC) EDGE Green Building Certification, making it the first warehouse in the country to receive this ...
- Sustainable Workspaces in London by Material Works Architecture
In a highly prominent location opposite London’s Houses of Parliament, Material Works Architecture transformed an attic into a start-up incubator – with a laid-back interior design and a minimal ...
- The rise of sustainable building materials—a blueprint for startup success
Due to increasing awareness of climate change and environmental degradation, consumers, developers, and policymakers are seeking sustainable options that reduce carbon footprints and minimise ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Climate-smart buildings
- Global Smart Building Market Overview, 2024-2029: Enhanced Occupant Experience, Integration of Cloud-Based Technologies and Automation
The "Global Smart Building Market Overview, 2024-29" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.Global Smart Building Market is anticipated to cross USD 165 Billion by 2029, increasing ...
- Why the building sector needs a ‘make do and mend’ mentality
“There is not even a standard definition of what a smart building is.” An increasing emphasis on retrofit seems inevitable, however. “More than 80% of today’s buildings will still be with us in 2050,” ...
- How data will help cities fight the climate crisis
Earth Day is a good opportunity to see how data and technology can improve sustainability. Even with Earth Day in the rearview mirror, it’s still clear that the fight to counter the climate crisis ...
- Ohio seeks $189 million in EPA funds to electrify state fleets, retrofit public buildings
The DeWine administration is seeking Inflation Reduction Act funding to start implementing the state’s first statewide climate action plan.
- Community-led climate action: building equitable, resilient cities from the bottom up
With local climate action in informal settlements playing a pivotal role in building more equitable, resilient, low-carbon cities in a rapidly urbanising world, it is time to make more effective use ...