News Releases

Breakthrough synthesis method improves solar cell stability

A process developed by Rice engineers and collaborators yields 2D halide perovskite crystal layers of ideal thickness and purity through dynamic control of the crystallization process ⎯ a key step toward ensuring device stability for optoelectronics and photovoltaics.

Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders names new director

Bernard “Bernie” Banks will join Rice University’s Doerr Institute for New Leaders as its director, effective Jan. 1.

Rice experts available to discuss Nov. 7 election topics

As early voting kicks off in Texas this week, Rice University experts are available to discuss the Nov. 7 election.

Hans Graf returns to Houston to lead Rice Shepherd School Symphony Oct. 27

Grammy Award-winning conductor and former Houston Symphony music director Hans Graf will return to Houston Oct. 27 to guest conduct the Rice Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra in an exhilarating musical program titled “Fire and Ice,”featuring the work of Scriabin, Sibelius and Stravinsky.

In deep-red Texas, Houston voters want a safer city — even if it means higher taxes and more gun control

Deep in the heart of red-state Texas, more than 80% of Houston voters support measures to reduce firearm deaths and injuries, and a majority may be willing to pay more in additional fees and taxes on essential city services, according to a new report from Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research.

Rice Business’ diversity, equity and inclusion conference Oct. 27 brings together industry experts

The annual diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) conference from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business is slated for Oct. 27 and will provide a forum for awareness, dialogue and skill-building, according to event organizers.

Rice researcher scans tropical forest with mixed-reality device

Rice University scientists incorporated a Microsoft HoloLens mixed-reality headset with custom-built open-source software to record and store mammal habitat data in the Udzungwa Mountains National Park in Tanzania, showing that there was greater biodiversity where more vegetation was measured.

Rice helping study how soil health improvement can boost crops

America’s farmers rely on a host of practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation to maintain soil health, grow more productive crops and feed the U.S. and countries around the world. However, current research is too sparse to precisely demonstrate how these practices can actually affect the yields and bottom line for farmers.

Decontamination method zaps pollutants from soil

A rapid, high-heat electrothermal soil remediation process developed by Rice scientists and collaborators at the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center flushes out both organic pollutants and heavy metals in seconds without damaging soil fertility.

Sherwin K. Bryant named director of Rice’s Center for African and African American Studies

Sherwin K. Bryant, a leading scholar of slavery, race and the early modern African diaspora, will join Rice University Jan. 1 as director of the Center for African and African American Studies (CAAAS) and an associate professor in the Department of History.

Rice to host top Central American scholars from Gulf Coast

Rice University will host the first meeting of the Third Coast Central America Collaborative, a group of scholars and students from the Gulf Coast region that aims to create a network of committed students and scholars of Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and the Central American immigrant communities in the United States, Oct. 20–21.

Rice Baker Institute’s David Satterfield appointed special envoy to Middle East by President Biden

David Satterfield, director of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon and Turkey, was appointed Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues by President Joe Biden Oct. 15 to coordinate diplomatic efforts to address the critical humanitarian issues resulting from Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel.

Rice Biotech Launch Pad expands external advisory board with Kevin Sheridan

Rice University today announced the addition of Kevin Sheridan to its external advisory board for the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of the university’s health and medical technology discoveries into cures.

Tunes on wheels: Rice Shepherd School bringing free music to community via The Concert Truck

Classical music from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music is coming to several locations around Houston Oct. 24 and 26 thanks to a fully functioning mobile concert hall called The Concert Truck.

Rice astronomy experts available to discuss Oct. 14 annular eclipse

Rice University professors of physics and astronomy Patrick Hartigan and Patricia Reiff are available to discuss the Oct. 14 annular eclipse.