Chemistry

Nobel laureate, beloved Rice professor Robert Curl dead at 88

Nobel Prize-winning chemist and beloved Rice University Professor Robert Curl died July 3 at age 88.

Boron nitride nanotube fibers get real

Rice scientists create the first boron nitride nanotube fibers using the custom wet-spinning process they developed to make carbon nanotube fibers.

Process to customize molecules does double duty

Chemists develop a method to add two fragments to an alkene molecule in a single process, which could simplify drug and materials design.

Bacteria-killing drills get an upgrade

Rice scientists have created light-activated molecular drills that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Cars could get a ‘flashy’ upgrade

Rice University chemists, working with the Ford Motor Company, processes waste plastic from end-of-life trucks into graphene for composite materials in new vehicles.

CPRIT grants entice three cancer researchers to Rice

Rice University recruits three professors to bolster cancer research with grants from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.

DAP array casts a wide net to fix mutations

Rice engineers introduce DAP, a streamlined CRISPR-based technology that can perform many genome edits at once to address polygenic diseases caused by more than one glitch.

Rice chemists skew the odds to prevent cancer

A theoretical framework by Rice University scientists shows how to increase the odds of identifying cancer-causing mutations before tumors take hold. They demonstrate that only a few energetically favorable pathways are likely to lead to cancer.

Rice ‘metalens’ could disrupt vacuum UV market

Rice photonics researchers have created a potentially disruptive technology for the ultraviolet optics market.

Faculty, staff, students honored for excellence in teaching, mentoring, service

Each year, Rice honors members of the university community who have served students through outstanding teaching, dedication and service.

Tangle no more, nanotubes

Rice scientists have developed an acid-based solvent that simplifies carbon nanotube processing.

Rice lab improves recipe for valuable chemical

Rice University theorists show why salt gives a significant speed boost to valuable 2D molybdenum disulfide, an effect they say may work for other 2D materials as well.

Treated plastic waste good at grabbing carbon dioxide

Rice University chemists treat waste plastic to absorb carbon dioxide from flue gas streams more efficiently than current processes.

Blood vessels are guides for stimulating implants

A wireless neurostimulator a little bigger than a grain of rice can be put in place alongside blood vessels to treat neurological diseases and chronic pain.

Graphene gets enhanced by flashing

Rice University scientists who developed the flash Joule heating process to make graphene have found a way to produce doped graphene to customize it for applications.