Rice engineers tackle sunlight intermittency in solar desalination
May 14, 2025
A team of Rice engineers has developed a system that could transform desalination practices, making the process more adaptable, resilient and cheaper. The new system is powered by sunlight and uses a creative approach to heat recovery for extended water production ⎯ with and without sunshine.
‘Creating new knowledge:’ Rice congratulates more than 250 doctoral graduates
May 11, 2025
Rice conferred more than 250 doctoral degrees during its 112th commencement May 10 at Tudor Fieldhouse. Doctoral candidates along with friends, family and loved ones gathered for the ceremony, which included the awarding of doctoral regalia, congratulatory remarks, cheers and a few moments to reflect on this milestone.
Scientists observe exotic quantum phase once thought impossible
April 11, 2025
A team of Rice researchers reported the first direct observation of a surprising quantum phenomenon predicted over half a century ago known as a superradiant phase transition, which occurs when two groups of quantum particles begin to fluctuate in a coordinated, collective way without any external trigger, forming a new state of matter.
Quantum-inspired design boosts efficiency of heat-to-electricity conversion
November 21, 2024
Researchers at Rice have found a new way to improve a key element of thermophotovoltaic systems, which convert heat into electricity via light. Rice engineer Gururaj Naik and his team designed a thermal emitter that can deliver high efficiencies within practical design parameters.
Interdisciplinary Rice graduate program earns $3M NSF grant
August 29, 2024
A research traineeship program developed by a team of Rice faculty led by Junichiro Kono has received an award of $3 million over five years from the National Science Foundation to equip a new generation of scientists and engineers with the skills needed to serve as leaders in quantum technology innovation.
‘Out of all the unknowns in science, we have so much to discover’
August 16, 2024
Rice’s Smalley-Curl Institute held its 38th annual Summer Research Colloquium Aug. 2 at Rice’s Duncan Hall, where undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral researchers gave presentations covering topics in nanoscience, quantum materials and quantum information science and technology to a multidisciplinary audience.