News Releases

Rice turns asphaltene into graphene for composites

The flash Joule heating process developed at Rice turns asphaltenes, a byproduct of crude oil production, into graphene for use in composite materials.

Rice U. technology startup Syzygy Plasmonics raises $76 million in latest funding round

Syzygy Plasmonics, a Houston-based startup fueled by technology developed at Rice University, has announced $76 million in Series C financing led by Carbon Direct Capital — one of the largest rounds of funding for a venture spun out of a Rice lab.

Rice refines analysis of MRI contrast agents

Simulations reveal details about the magnetic interactions between gadolinium contrast agents used in MRI scans and their environment.

Drought in China could devastate global supply chains, energy transition efforts, experts warn

Following a record-breaking drought over the summer, China is on the brink of a water catastrophe that could have devastating consequences for global food security, energy markets and supply chains, according to a report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Businesses backing #BlackLivesMatter are more attractive to workers, have better bottom lines

Businesses that offer public declarations of support for the Black community after violent events like the murder of George Floyd and other serious incidents are more attractive to prospective employees and have bigger bottom lines, according to new research from Rice University.

Rice scholar available to discuss missile strikes in Poland

Amid news reports that rockets or missiles have landed in Poland near the Ukrainian border and killed two people, Rice University political scientist Ric Stoll is available to discuss the situation as it unfolds.

Mental, physical health support top list of needs for Houston Independent School District students and parents

Mental and physical health support tops the list of Houston Independent School District student and parent needs, according to a new survey from Rice University Kinder Institute’s Houston Education Research Consortium.

Rice Business No. 1 for entrepreneurship, No. 5 for online MBA

Rice Business received top billing on two prominent lists rating academic excellence that were announced today: Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine’s entrepreneurship ranking (No. 1) and Poets and Quants’ online MBA ranking (No. 5).

Rice, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur commit to cooperate on research

Rice and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur sign a three-year cooperation agreement to collaborate on issues critical to the United States, India and the globe.

Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator Class 2 Demo Day set for Nov. 17

Clean energy startups that are ready for investments and pilot programs will showcase their work during The Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator’s Nov. 17 Demo Day.

Cool respite with a conscience

Rice faculty members have installed “Building Ecologies” at Post Houston to demonstrate a “circular” strategy that incorporates environmental systems into architecture.

Rice bioengineer seeks better signals from cells

Jerzy Szablowski earns NIH support to research noninvasive reporters that monitor gene therapy in the brain.

Supreme Court abortion decision to be examined at Baker Institute event

Renowned journalist Dahlia Lithwick will join health policy experts to discuss the major consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson that overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.

Growing pure nanotubes is a stretch, but possible

Rice engineers have a new strategy for making batches of carbon nanotubes with a single, desired chirality.

Investors, leaders recognize 11 companies at annual Texas Life Science Forum

Life science innovators, academics and investors – including those specializing in health tech, medical devices and therapeutics – convened at Rice University this week to discuss Houston’s role in the future of health care and give awards to top early-stage life science companies.