Energy

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.

ACS taps Rice, Shell for Partners in Progress & Prosperity Award

Collaborators at Rice and Shell receive the American Chemical Society Southwest Regional Partners in Progress & Prosperity Award.

Rice lab advances water-splitting catalysts

Rice University engineers have developed a stable water-splitting catalyst for clean hydrogen generation that could potentially replace expensive iridium catalysts.

US-Saudi relations could impact gas prices — and the popularity of the president, say experts

Experts from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy are available to speak on the United States’ relations with Saudi Arabia and how they can affect prices at the gas pump as well as perceptions of the American government.

Halas, Nordlander honored in Rome

Italian President Sergio Mattarella presented Rice’s Naomi Halas and Peter Nordlander the 2022 Eni Energy Transition Award in an Oct. 3 ceremony in Rome's Quirinal Palace.

Halas, Nordlander win prestigious Eni Energy Transition Award

Rice’s Naomi Halas and Peter Nordlander have won the prestigious 2022 Eni Energy Transition Award.

Applications open for next Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator

Applications are open through May 31 for the second cohort of the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator, which helps seed-stage startups refine and grow their sustainable and energy-transition technology solutions.

Financing the transition: Students raise $200k to launch Rice New Energy Fund

Shikhar Verma ’24 launched the student-managed Rice New Energy Fund (RNEF), the nation’s first student-managed investment fund focused on the energy transition. Its goal is to generate returns for the fund with sustainability initiatives while advancing decarbonization, student finance education and team diversity.

Lithium’s narrow paths limit batteries

Study suggests that lithium batteries would benefit from more porous electrodes with better-aligned particles that don’t limit lithium distribution.

Wind, solar could replace coal power in Texas

A fraction of the wind and solar projects already proposed in Texas could eliminate the state’s remaining coal power plants and their emissions, according to Rice University engineers.

Saudi Aramco joins Rice University’s Carbon Hub

Saudi Aramco joins Rice’s Carbon Hub research initiative to accelerate the energy transition by developing sustainable uses of hydrocarbons.

Energy transition could be headed for ‘valley of death,’ says report

Investments in oil and gas have decreased in favor of alternative energy in recent years, but with alternative energy technologies still able to supply only a small fraction of useable energy, rushing the transition would be a costly mistake, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.