Rice University’s 2024 biennial De Lange Conference featured an array of distinguished speakers, artists and researchers who engaged in thought-provoking discussions regarding timely technological and environmental topics Feb. 9-10 at the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Houston-based organizations join forces for inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week 2024
Greentown Labs, Halliburton Labs and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship are joining forces to launch the inaugural Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week 2024.
Climate catastrophe produced instantaneous evolutionary change
A unique experiment by Rice University biologists in the wake of 2017’s Hurricane Harvey that revealed species can instantly evolve when they move in response to a climate catastrophe.
Order in chaos: Atmosphere’s Antarctic oscillation has natural cycle
Rice researchers have discovered a natural cycle that repeats every 150 days in the north-south oscillation of the Southern Hemisphere’s prevailing westerly winds.
Ancient viruses discovered in coral symbionts’ DNA
Rice bioscientists have discovered fragments of ancient RNA viruses in the genomes of the symbiotic organisms that live inside corals and provide them with their dramatic colors.
New priming method improves battery life, efficiency
Rice University engineers have developed a readily scalable method to optimize a silicon anode priming method that increases lithium-ion battery performance by 22% to 44%.
Eco-efficient cement could pave the way to a greener future
Rice U. scientists develop process to remove toxic heavy metals from coal fly ash, making for greener, stronger concrete.
Potential for profits gives Rice lab’s plastic waste project promise
Rice University scientists create carbon nanotubes and other hybrid nanomaterials out of plastic waste using an energy-efficient, low-cost, low-emissions process that could also be profitable.
Climate warming reduces organic carbon burial beneath oceans
A first-of-its-kind study suggests climate warming could reduce organic carbon burial and increase the amount of carbon that’s returned to the atmosphere.
Rice lab’s catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy
A light-activated catalyst efficiently converts ammonia into clean-burning hydrogen using only inexpensive raw materials.
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.
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.
TEDxRiceU Countdown to focus on ideas, solutions to climate change
Combating climate change will be the subject of featured speakers sharing their ideas from 5-8 p.m., Nov. 12 at Rice University’s Moody Center for the Arts.
New catalyst can turn smelly hydrogen sulfide into a cash cow
Rice engineers and scientists and collaborators have discovered an efficient, one-step process for converting hydrogen sulfide gas into clean-burning hydrogen fuel.