Rice study shows coal-based product could replace sand in concrete
A new study by Rice researchers found that graphene derived from metallurgical coke, a coal-based product, through flash Joule heating could serve not only as a reinforcing additive in cement but also as a replacement for sand in concrete.
Rice study unlocks breakthrough for breast cancer bone metastases
Rice University researchers in the lab of chemist Han Xiao have identified a promising new immunological pathway to treat stubborn bone tumors, one of most prevalent forms of metastases in breast cancer patients.
Rice chemists find new way to rid boron nitride nanotubes of impurities
Rice scientists in the lab of Angel Martí have uncovered a new way to make high-purity boron nitride nanotubes, hollow cylindrical structures that can withstand temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius while also being stronger than steel by weight.
Molecular jackhammers’ ‘good vibrations’ eradicate cancer cells
Rice scientists and collaborators at Texas A&M University and University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have found a new way to kill cancer cells by using near-infrared light to make a small dye molecule attached to their membrane vibrate strongly. It is the first time this kind of mechanical molecular action has been used as a potential therapy.
For this emergent class of materials, ‘solutions are the problem’
Rice materials scientists developed a fast, low-cost, scalable method to make covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a class of crystalline polymers whose tunable molecular structure, large surface area and porosity could be useful in energy applications, semiconductor devices, sensors, filtration systems and drug delivery.
Kavli Exploration Award backs Rice-led sustainable carbon materials research
An international team of scientists led by Rice’s Matteo Pasquali has won a $4.1 million grant to optimize carbon nanotube synthesis. The award is a joint effort by The Kavli Foundation, with a $1.9 million Exploration Award in Nanoscience for Sustainability, and Rice’s Carbon Hub, which contributed an additional $2.2 million.
Fluorine catch-and-attach process could boost drug efficiency
Rice scientists have developed a new low-cost, safe and effective process to free up and reattach fluorine to chemical compounds. In pharmaceuticals, fluorine can expand lifetime, increase absorption and minimize side effects.
Rice announces partnership with Tecnológico de Monterrey
Rice University has announced an agreement with Tecnológico de Monterrey, which will include concurrent doctoral degrees, dual master’s programs and a partnership to expand access to continuing and professional education.
Rice expert available to comment on FDA decision on sickle cell disease therapy
Rice University’s Gang Bao is available to comment on today’s decision by the FDA on whether or not to approve a CRISPR-based therapy for sickle cell disease.
Rice’s Naomi Halas wins Mildred Dresselhaus Prize
Naomi Halas, a pioneering researcher in the fields of nanophotonics and plasmonics at Rice University, has been awarded the 2024 Mildred Dresselhaus Prize for Nanoscience/Nanomaterials from the American Physical Society.
Rice’s Gustavo Scuseria wins Aneesur Rahman Prize
Pioneering computational chemist Gustavo Scuseria has won the 2024 Aneesur Rahman Prize for Computational Physics.
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.
Rice alum Louis Brus awarded Nobel Prize in chemistry
Rice alumnus Louis Brus (’65) has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry alongside Moungi Bawendi and Alexei Ekimov for the “discovery and development of quantum dots.”
It's easier to get valuable metals from battery waste if you ‘flash’ it
A battery recycling process developed by Rice scientists can retrieve valuable metals from mixed cathode and anode waste with a yield exceeding 98% in less time than normal using low-concentration acid, reducing both the cost and negative environmental impact.
Making hydrogen from waste plastic could pay for itself
Rice University researchers have found a way to harvest hydrogen from plastic waste using a low-emissions method that generates graphene as a by-product, which could help offset production costs.
