Defense

Figure depicting the action of an aluminum-palladium antenna-reactor nanocatalyst that harnesses light energy to break chemical bonds in fluorocarbons

Fluorocarbon bonds are no match for light-powered nanocatalyst

Rice University engineers have created a light-powered catalyst that can break the strong chemical bonds in fluorocarbons, a group of synthetic materials that includes persistent environmental pollutants.

Rice scientists found certain combinations of weakly bound 2D materials let holes and electrons combine into excitons at the materials’ ground state. Courtesy of the Yakobson Research Group

Excitons form superfluid in certain 2D combos

Mixing and matching computational models of 2D materials led scientists at Rice University to the realization that excitons can be manipulated in new and useful ways.

A graphic shows the process by which a Rice University lab uses 3D printing to make shapeshifting materials that may be useful to make soft robots or as biomedical implants. (Credit: Verduzco Laboratory/Rice University)

Lab makes 4D printing more practical

Soft robots and biomedical implants that reconfigure themselves upon demand are closer to reality with a method developed at Rice to print shapeshifting materials.

Rice University scientists have created an open-source algorithm, SEMseg, that simplifies nanoparticle analysis using scanning electron microscope images. Courtesy of the Landes Research Group

New tool helps nanorods stand out

Rice scientists introduce an open-source method to simplify nanoparticle analysis using scanning electron microscope images.

Rice University scientists analyzed the motion of single boron nitride nanotubes. The nanotubes are stable semiconductors and excellent conductors of heat. They could be useful as building blocks for composite materials or in biomedical studies. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Exotic nanotubes move in less mysterious ways

Rice University researchers capture the first video of boron nitride nanotubes in motion to prove their potential for materials and medical applications.

Electrets — electrons trapped in defects in two-dimensional molybdenum dioxide — give the material piezoelectric properties, according to Rice University researchers. The defects (blue) appear in the material during formation in a furnace, and generate an electric field when under pressure. (Credit: Ajayan Research Group/Rice University)

2D oxide flakes pick up surprise electrical properties

Rice University researchers find evidence of piezoelectricity in lab-grown, two-dimensional flakes of molybdenum dioxide.

Illustration showing how REPAIR, a smart electronic patch, will help regrow muscle tissue

'Smart' wound-healing patch: DARPA awards $22 million grant

Rice University engineers are part of a team that's developing an 'intelligent' bandage to regrow muscle tissue for wounded soldiers.

Rice computer science graduate students Beidi Chen and Tharun Medini

Deep learning rethink overcomes major obstacle in AI industry

Rice University computer scientists have overcome a major obstacle in the burgeoning artificial intelligence industry.

Collage of general research images

Rice on pace to double research spending by 2027

Rice is on pace to double research funding by 2027 thanks to faculty success in attracting large, programmatic grants.

reconstructed image of a 1-centimeter-tall numeral 7 that was hidden behind a corner

Cameras see around corners in real time with deep learning

Rice researchers and collaborators have created an imaging system that can see detailed objects around corners in real time.

Junichiro Kono and Qimiao Si

Study finds billions of quantum entangled electrons in 'strange metal'

Rice physicists and collaborators have observed quantum entanglement among "billions of billions" of flowing electrons in a quantum critical material.

Rice University researchers boosted the stability of their low-energy, copper-ruthenium syngas photocatalysts by shrinking the active sites to single atoms of ruthenium (blue). (Image by John Mark Martirez/UCLA)

Gasification goes green

Rice University engineers have created a light-powered nanoparticle that could shrink the carbon footprint of syngas producers.