Dateline Rice for Dec. 12, 2012

FEATURED ITEMS

Plant extract works as cathode for batteries
Researchers say a plant extract can be turned into a highly effective, natural cathode for lithium-ion batteries. Arava Leela Mohana Reddy, a postdoctoral research associate in mechanical engineering and materials science, and Pulickel Ajayan, the Benjamin M. and Mary Greenwood Anderson Professor in Engineering, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, professor in chemistry and professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, are quoted.
Futurity.org
http://bit.ly/RnF3OK
Plant root used to create eco-friendly lithium-ion battery
Gizmag.com
http://www.gizmag.com/madder-root-lithium-ion-battery-electrode/25412/
Dying to make greener batteries
The Register (U.K.)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/12/12/rose_madder_battery_matter/
Scientists develop eco battery powered by root-extracted dye
Engadget.com
http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/12/eco-battery-dye-root-extract/
Rose madder: ‘Green’ battery from ancient red dye plant?
Science20.com
http://bit.ly/S7cwwL
Now, ‘green’ lithium-ion battery powered by ancient red dye
NewKerala.com (This article also appeared on Yahoo.com, NetIndia123.com, WebIndia123.com, NewsTrackIndia.com and Sify.com.)
http://bit.ly/TUDANX
Researchers use plant extract to make eco-friendly batteries
Softpedia.com
http://bit.ly/XRJIdl
Scientists investigate using purpurin plant based dye for making lithium-ion batteries
BestSyndication.com
http://bit.ly/12kptnS
Ancient plant dye used to produce eco-friendly biomass batteries
Mining.com
http://bit.ly/USVD86
Ancient red plant dye powers new green batteries
CleanTechnica.com
http://bit.ly/VCbcgz
Sustainable, non-toxic ‘green’ lithium-ion battery made from ancient plant dye
Examiner.com
http://exm.nr/VAg7PB

‘Live’ gel scaffold could patch infant hearts
Jeffrey Jacot, assistant professor of bioengineering, and colleagues have produced a material called a bioscaffold that could be sutured into the hearts of infants suffering from birth defects.
Futurity.org
http://bit.ly/Rp3BXp

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

A few nanoparticles let you boil water using just the sun
Rice University scientists have unveiled a revolutionary new technology that uses nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics and professor of physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical engineering, is quoted.
Scientific American (This article also appeared in Fast Company.)
http://bit.ly/VCeh0j
How to boil water using only sunlight
SmartPlanet.com
http://smrt.io/UBgbPY

Edward Djerejian at Cannes: Hezbollah could conduct terrorist actions in case of an attack against Iran
The fifth international meeting on global governance organized by the World Policy Conference completed its work in Cannes. One of the last sessions focused on the situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on Lebanon. Edward Djerejian, founding director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted. An English translation of this article is not available.
L’Orient Le Jour
http://bit.ly/UBmG3e

Al Jazeera English
Mahmoud El-Gamal, Chair of Islamic Economics, Finance and Management, professor of economics and statistics and Rice Scholar at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is interviewed about economic problems in Egypt.
http://bit.ly/W5OAaG

A solar device to help sterilize instruments
Engineering students at Rice University fashioned a sterilizing autoclave using a Capteur Soleil, a device created decades ago by a French inventor to capture the energy of the sun in places where electricity — or fuel of any kind — is hard to get. Doug Schuler, associate professor of business and public policy at the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business, is quoted.
PunchNG.com (Nigeria)
http://bit.ly/T63E7o

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Perry wants to further restrict abortions and providers
Proclaiming his ultimate goal to eliminate abortion at any stage, Gov. Rick Perry said he would back legislation to ban abortion in Texas after 20 weeks, the point at which he said a fetus can experience pain. Mark Jones, the Joseph D. Jamail Chair in Latin American Studies, professor and chair of political science and fellow in political science at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, is quoted.
Houston Chronicle (This article appeared on the front of the City & State section and also in the San Antonio Express-News, KaiserHealthNews.org, RR.com and TheShorthorn.com.)
http://bit.ly/W5LWSm

Texas Panhandle Centers names medical director
Alumna Kathryn McNeil ’96 has joined Texas Panhandle Centers Behavioral and Developmental Health as the center’s medical director.
Amarillo Globe-News
http://bit.ly/W3x4DS

Smart money: Rice’s David Leebron is the highest-paid college president in Texas
Rice President David Leebron is the highest-paid president of a private college in Texas, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education’s annual comparison of university presidents’ salaries.
Culturemap.com
http://bit.ly/W5LaEY

CPRIT’s executive director resigns
Rice is mentioned in articles about the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/U3C6yL
Embattled cancer agency names new science chief
MedScape.com (subscription required)
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/776043

See the winners of our Holiday Cookie Contest, from decadent treats to tasty bars
Brown College senior Tiffany Ho is quoted in an article about the Dallas Morning News-Central Market Holiday Cookie Contest.
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/UzrXbp

Texas’ future prospertity depends on strong education system
Alumnus M. Ray Perryman ’78 authored this op-ed about education in Texas.
Midland Reporter-Telegram
http://bit.ly/SUWiF7

BROADCAST/WEBCAST

KRIV-TV
Scientists believe this year’s deluge of acorns may be related to last year’s drought. Evan Siemann, professor and chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary biology, is quoted.
http://bit.ly/UgPcs1

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Carbon nanotubes show promise in neural engineering
Researchers at Duke University have come up with an ultra-pure carbon nanotube that can regulate excessive levels of chloride in nerve cells. Rice research is mentioned.
IEEE Spectrum
http://bit.ly/ZbWOT5

With 4,000 companies, Backupify releases update now with more IT controls to protect Google Apps data
Rice is mentioned in an article about tech startup Backupify.
TheNextWeb.com
http://tnw.co/Uhuyb6

OTHER NEWS OF INTEREST

Tolkien’s Christian faith informs ‘The Hobbit,’ other stories, scholar says
Jane Chance, the Andrew W. Mellon Distinguished Professor Emerita of English, is quoted in an article about the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and Christianity.
Birmingham News (Ala.)
http://bit.ly/W5NmMJ

SPORTS

Another classic is set for liftoff
Rice is mentioned in an article about the National Prep Classic basketball tournament.
Santa Maria Times (Calif.)
http://bit.ly/T8oHpN

Martin the key to El Campo’s attack
Rice is mentioned in an article about the El Campo High School football team.
Victoria Advocate (Texas)
http://bit.ly/TP2qfC

NEWS RELEASE

Heart cells beat in bioscaffold for babies
A Rice professor and colleagues have produced a material called a bioscaffold that could be sutured into the hearts of infants suffering from birth defects.
https://news2.rice.edu/?p=38163