Generate Sustainable Futures

Rice and TMC partners secure climate health consortium grant to face climate change and human health

A team of climate and environmental scientists, educators, epidemiologists and infectious disease researchers from Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas School of Public Health has been awarded the inaugural Burroughs Wellcome Fund’s Climate + Health Excellence award, an initiative designed to strengthen research, education and public engagement related to climate change and human health.

Rice researchers develop technology to clean salty wastewater while recovering valuable metals

A team led by Shihong Lin has shown that electrochemical ion pumping can be programmed to desalinate wastewater while selectively recovering dissolved metals such as copper.

Before Day 1, Rice’s newest students got their hands dirty in Houston

The Moody Civic Immersion program is a weeklong experience run by Rice’s Center for Civic Leadership that brings incoming students into the city before their first semester begins.

Rice study explores blue carbon financing for Texas coastal protection

Rice researchers will investigate whether carbon credits could provide a new source of funding for a major coastal erosion and wetland protection project along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Galveston County.

Rice hosts Urban Sustainability Innovation Sprint and launches World Cup sustainability projects portfolio

Rice recently held a two-day Urban Sustainability Innovation Sprint and the opening reception for the Urban Sustainability Projects Portfolio at the Ion.

Study finds carbon capture and storage could help curb emissions from AI-driven data center boom

As artificial intelligence accelerates demand for computing power across the U.S., a new study co-authored by Hon Chung Lau, adjunct professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice and founder of Low Carbon Energies LLC, has found that carbon capture and storage could play a major role in limiting the climate impact of data centers.

Rice’s SSPEED Center helped shape coastal recreation vision now before Congress

A coastal resilience vision that launched more than 15 years ago through Rice University’s Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center has reached a major milestone through the introduction of the Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Act.

Researchers create moisture-driven tech that powers green batteries — and dissolves spy gear

Researchers from Rice and North Carolina State University have created a nontoxic, stretchable battery that operates by extracting moisture from the ambient environment.

Study finds climate change missing from stories shaping modern culture

The findings raise pointed questions about how elite fiction reflects what study authors call the defining crisis of the present moment.

Rice unites global quantum materials synthesis leaders in Paris for cutting-edge workshop

The Rice Center for Quantum Materials hosted a workshop on quantum materials synthesis at the Rice Global Paris Center, bringing together global researchers in physics, materials science, chemistry and quantum research to identify new directions and address urgent challenges facing the quantum materials synthesis community.

Rice delegation forges new research ties across India and Singapore, broadening Rice Global India’s sphere of influence

Over the course of seven days, Rice’s presidential delegation crossed two countries and held meetings with many prominent universities, research institutions and government leaders. 

Rice joins Houston’s Green Corridor with Sustainable Ecologies Installation

Rice joins the Green Corridor with the Rice-FIFA Sustainable Ecologies Installation, a temporary public-facing exhibit located in the oak groves near Entrance 1.

Rice hosts global water leaders to discuss technologies for a resilient future

Rice’s WaTER Institute hosted the 20th International Water Association Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies, which brought together more than 270 industry professionals and academic researchers from 27 countries to campus.

Rice, HPE partner to spark STEM curiosity through World Cup-themed learning

As Houston prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup this summer, Rice’s Center for STEM Engagement is leveraging the global spotlight to connect local students with hands-on science and technology — reinforcing Rice’s role as an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.

New Rice professor leads project to build more climate-resilient Gulf Coast

Andrew Hoffman, an incoming professor of Earth, environmental and planetary sciences who will join Rice’s faculty July 1, was awarded a $1.9 million grant to improve the accuracy, actionability and regional relevance of sea level rise projections.