Ants as architects of living,self-healing structures

We present experiments and theory on the ability of fire ants to both flow like a fluid and aggregate like a solid.During floods,fire ants link their bodies together to weave hydrophobic rafts in the manner of Gore-Tex.Upon returning to land,they construct bivouacs that are shaped such that each ant supports an equal load throughout construction.Particular attention is paid to rationalizing construction rates based upon individual behaviors and constraints of the ants.Many ant species form functional self-assemblages by linking themselves together.When viewed collectively,a fire ant self-assemblage exhibits bulk material characteristics,such as the ability to flow or support loads.Such assemblages can be constructed and disassembled quickly.If the