A young architect and biochemical engineer from Assam is on the cusp of reshaping not only the construction sector but potentially automotive and space industries, with a breakthrough living-biomaterial that captures carbon and promotes sustainability.
Prantar Tamuli, 30, grew up in an academic household in Assam, Northeastern India, where his passion for architecture led him to launch his own practice early on. However, limited regional opportunities spurred him to seek a path that combined architecture with biochemical engineering. In 2019, he moved to London to study for an MSc in Bio-Integrated Design at University College London (UCL), where he found the ideal platform to explore this intersection of disciplines.
Revolutionary biomaterial
“I couldn’t find a programme like this anywhere else,” Tamuli reflects on UCL’s unique blend of biodesign and scientific research. His time at UCL, shaped by COVID-19 restrictions and unconventional lab work, led him to his breakthrough: a living-biomaterial born from novel artificial tissue engineering methods. This material integrates photosynthetic cells, enabling it to sequester one tonne of CO2 per three cubic metres during production and continue capturing carbon as the cells remain alive but dormant.
Tamuli’s company, Tattva, supported by G-Force, a European climate technology VC, is working to scale the material, with a pilot plant set to launch in Devon. UCL’s technology commercialisation arm has helped him secure a patent, setting the stage for extensive commercial interest, including from venture capital firms and major industry players.
Now at Technology Readiness Level 5, the material is expected to progress to Level 6 by 2025, with pilot applications in walls and traditional construction. Yet its potential doesn’t stop there. As a lightweight insulator, Tamuli believes it could also be used in automotive structures, extreme environments, and even spacecraft. “The global shift towards Net Zero means this material has applications far beyond construction,” he explains.
Tamuli’s time at UCL has been pivotal, pushing him to propose radical concepts that span uses from construction bricks to space infrastructure. A recipient of both the prestigious BPS Irène Manton Prize and a PhD scholarship from EPSRC, he has also joined Conception X’s deep-tech venture programme to explore commercial applications and gain industry insight.
As Tamuli completes his PhD, he is eager to scale this innovation, addressing the demand for sustainable solutions in a climate-conscious world.
