London, August 17 : An innovative construction biomaterial developed by an Indian student at University College London (UCL) promises to revolutionize the building industry by significantly reducing its carbon footprint. Prantar Tamuli, a Master’s student in the Biochemical Engineering Department, has created a new material that uses living microorganisms to capture and sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Tamuli recently showcased his invention, known as C-ELM, as part of an art installation at St Andrews Botanic Garden in Scotland. This cutting-edge material integrates living cyanobacteria into translucent panels, which can be installed on building interiors. The cyanobacteria within the panels perform photosynthesis, drawing CO2 from the air and incorporating it into the material.
“My aim in developing C-ELM is to transform construction from being a major carbon emitter to a leading carbon sequesterer,” Tamuli explained. The process works through biomineralisation, where the captured CO2 reacts with calcium to form calcium carbonate, effectively locking away the carbon.
The environmental benefits of C-ELM are substantial. Each kilogram of this biomaterial can capture and sequester up to 350 grams of CO2. In contrast, traditional concrete emits approximately 500 grams of CO2 per kilogram. Thus, a wall of 150 square metres covered with C-ELM panels could sequester around one tonne of CO2.
Professor Marcos Cruz from UCL Bartlett School of Architecture and co-director of the Bio-Integrated Design Programme highlighted the potential of C-ELM. “If mass-produced and widely adopted, this material could drastically cut the construction industry’s carbon footprint. We are eager to scale up the production of C-ELM and enhance its performance for practical use in construction,” Cruz said.
Tamuli developed C-ELM during his MSc in Bio-Integrated Design, with significant progress made during the COVID-19 lockdown in London. Working from home without access to a lab, he refined a new method for culturing cyanobacteria.
Dr Brenda Parker, co-director of the Bio-Integrated Design Programme, praised the interdisciplinary approach that enabled this breakthrough. “By bridging traditional disciplinary boundaries, we’re witnessing biotechnology’s potential to transform sustainable building practices,” Parker noted.
Tamuli’s inspiration for C-ELM came from studying stromatolites—natural formations created over millennia by sediment-trapping algae. He chose Kamptonema animale, a photosynthetic cyanobacteria known for its long, easily bound strands, which aids in incorporating the microorganisms into the panels.
The C-ELM panels are designed not only for their environmental benefits but also for practical applications. They are lightweight, sound-absorbing, and translucent, allowing natural light to pass through. Additionally, the panels offer thermal insulation, contributing to enhanced energy efficiency in buildings.
The first public demonstration of C-ELM took place in the ‘Bioscope’ pavilion at St Andrews Botanic Garden, curated by the design collective Studio Biocene. The installation showcased low-carbon and low-impact construction methods that reflect natural processes.
A patent for the C-ELM technology has been filed by UCL’s commercialization company, UCL Business. The development of this material represents a significant step towards more sustainable construction practices, with the potential to make a profound impact on the building industry’s carbon footprint.