Researchers Observe That a Group of Ants Collectively Behave With Properties Similar to Both Solids and Liquids

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have observed that a group of ants collectively behave with both solid-like and liquid-like properties in a paper published in Nature Materials.

David Hu, an associate professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, explains in a video how the ants seemingly have an “on/off switch” for knowing when to let go or hold to each other when sufficient forces are applied to the group. Another video gives a longer look at the demonstration of a penny slowing falling through a collection of ants.

via Popular Mechanics