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Student spotlight: Prantar Tamuli
Meet Prantar Tamuli, a PhD candidate from Assam, India, who is working at the intersection of architecture and biochemical engineering at UCL.
22 November 2024
Prantar Tamuli is a PhD candidate working with both the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture and UCL Biochemical Engineering. Originally from Assam in Northeastern India, Prantar has made a remarkable discovery during his time at UCL. Here, he sheds light on his experience in London so far...
Tell us more about what you are studying at UCL.
I’m currently studying for a PhD in Bio-Integrated Design at UCL. My focus is on sustainable construction materials that merge architecture with biochemical engineering. During my time here, I’ve been working on a living-biomaterial that could revolutionise how we think about building sustainably, using processes like photosynthesis to create eco-friendly materials.
What led you to apply for this course?
I’ve always been passionate about sustainable construction, but I wanted to explore it in a more scientific and interdisciplinary way. While running my own architecture practice in Assam, I realised there were limited opportunities to push the boundaries of what was possible, and this is when I started looking for a course that could merge architecture with biochemical engineering. I found the Bio-Integrated Design MSc at UCL, which offered exactly the combination I was looking for – something I struggled to see anywhere else in the world.
What are some of your favourite things about living in London and life at UCL?
Living in London has been an incredible experience. It’s such a vibrant and diverse city, and being at UCL places you right in the heart of it. The student community and my supervisors at UCL are very supportive, and I’ve had the chance to meet people from all over the world. UCL has a fantastic research environment, and I love the freedom it gives me to propose and test radical ideas.
How do you find the work/life balance at UCL?
UCL has been transformative for me, both personally and professionally. The workload has been intense, but the sense of support you get has made it manageable. It’s been the best five years of my life so far. One of the most unique things about UCL is its bottom-up research approach - you’re encouraged to create something first and then think about its applications, which has led me to explore uses for my living-biomaterial ranging from construction bricks to space infrastructure.
You mentioned the discovery of this living-biomaterial, can you tell us a bit more about it?
Of course, during the COVID-19 pandemic when stricter lab rules were in place, and I started conducting unconventional experiments. That’s when I came upon a new method of growing photosynthetic cells in solid state that later developed into this living-biomaterial - not so much an invention, but more of a discovery of a novel process. This material is an excellent insulator, is incredibly lightweight, and has potential applications not only in traditional construction but also in cars and possibly in extreme environments like space. The material harnesses photosynthesis with living cells that remain dormant, making it self-sustaining and eco-friendly.
What stage is your research at the moment?
Right now, the living-biomaterial is at Technology Readiness Level 5, which is based on NASA’s nine-point scale. We aim to reach Level 6 by 2025, at which point we’ll begin testing it in construction materials, like walls. The ultimate goal is to reach Level 9, which would mean full-scale industry application. We have set up a new company called Tattva, which will play a key role in bringing this material to the market. We’ve already established partnerships in the UK, including setting up a pilot production plant in Devon, which is very exciting.
You’ve also received recognition for your work. Can you tell us about some of the awards you’ve won?
Yes, two years into my studies, I received the BPS Irène Manton Prize at the 69th annual conference of the British Phycological Society for my research on this living-biomaterial. Following that, I received a PhD Scholarship from EPSRC to continue the research and I was accepted into Cohort V at Conception X, one of the UK’s leading deep-tech venture programmes for PhD students. Conception X helped me explore how to transform my technology into a viable product, identify potential customers, and gain valuable insights from industry experts.
What are your plans for when you finish your PhD?
Once I complete my PhD, I’d like to focus on bringing my innovation to the world. The construction industry is at a crucial point as the global push towards sustainable, green solutions intensifies. I believe my living-biomaterial could play a major role in replacing traditional, flammable, petrochemical-based construction materials with a carbon-sequestering alternative. It’s an exciting time for sustainable technologies, and I’m looking forward to contributing to this transformation.