Researchers can ‘see’ crystals perform their dance moves
Rice University researchers already knew the atoms in perovskites react favorably to light. Now they’ve seen precisely how the atoms move when the 2D materials are excited with light. Their study this week in Nature Physics details the first direct measurement of structural dynamics under light-induced excitation in 2D perovskites.
Volcanolike rupture could have caused magnetar slowdown
In October 2020, a highly magnetic neutron star called SGR 1935+2154 abruptly began spinning more slowly. In a Nature Astronomy study this month, Rice astrophysicist Matthew Baring and colleagues showed the magnetar’s rotational slowdown could have been caused by a volcanolike rupture near its magnetic pole.
Naomi Halas named University Professor
Rice University has promoted nanotechnology pioneer Naomi Halas to its highest academic rank, University Professor. Halas, a 33-year member of Rice’s faculty, becomes only the 10th person and second woman to earn the title in Rice’s 111-year history.
Rice’s Jamie Padgett wins Texas academy’s O’Donnell Award
Rice University structural engineer Jamie Padgett has received the 2023 Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award in Engineering from The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas.
Inner ear has a need for speed
Rice bioengineers and applied physicists, together with and colleagues at the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago, have unlocked the mechanism of the fastest synapses in the human body. A previously hidden mechanism in the inner ear that helps mammals balance via the fastest-known signal in the brain, and researchers from Rice University, the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago have modeled a hidden mechanism in the inner ear that helps mammals balance via the fastest-known signal in the brain.
Nanoparticles make it easier to turn light into solvated electrons
Chemists from Rice, UT Austin and Stanford have uncovered the long-sought mechanism of a light-driven process that creates solvated electrons, inherently clean chemical reactants that are attractive for green chemistry.
DNA repair scheme gets closer look for cancer therapy
Rice bioscientists took a close look at one of the ways cells repair broken DNA and made a discovery about a promising target for cancer therapy.
Lab lights way to simple chemical synthesis
Rice University scientists have developed a photochemical process to simplify the synthesis of drug and chemical precursors known as diamines.
Climate warming reduces organic carbon burial beneath oceans
A first-of-its-kind study suggests climate warming could reduce organic carbon burial and increase the amount of carbon that’s returned to the atmosphere.
More links aren’t necessarily better for hybrid nanomaterials
Chemists from Rice and the University of Texas have found more isn’t always better when it comes to packing charge acceptors atop nanocrystals.
Webb Space Telescope reveals previously shrouded newborn stars
Astronomers dove deep into the first images from the Webb Space Telescope and made a surprising discovery.
Pathogenic sensor’s surprising capabilities revealed
Rice synthetic biologists have uncovered new capabilities of a genetically encoded sensor that allows salmonella, E. coli and other pathogens to sicken millions of people each year.
Rice lab’s catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy
A light-activated catalyst efficiently converts ammonia into clean-burning hydrogen using only inexpensive raw materials.
Rice funds new research collaborations with Houston Methodist
Rice and Houston Methodist have awarded seed grants for research in robotics, imaging, cardiovascular bioengineering, and psychological and behavioral health.
Rice facility is ‘one-stop shop’ for customizing DNA to fight cancer
Rice bioengineers, synthetic biologists and cancer researchers celebrated the opening of Rice’s first CPRIT Core Facility, the Genetic Design and Engineering Center, or GDEC, Nov. 10 at the BRC.
