New Pickle Lab in Ion District open to public
The Ion District, Houston’s hub for innovation, now has its very own pickleball experience with the newly-opened Pickle Lab.
The Ion adds new partners Oxy, Fathom Fund and Activate
Rice University and the Rice Real Estate Company are proud to announce new partnerships with Occidental Petroleum Corp. (Oxy), Fathom Fund and Activate, marking a major milestone as the Ion is now 90% leased. These new leases highlight the Ion’s growing role as a premier destination for partners dedicated to empowering startups and fostering technological innovation in Houston’s thriving Midtown district.
Event to showcase AI-powered robots and technologies for space exploration Nov. 4-5
Rice’s Office of Innovation, in partnership with NASA, Purdue University and the Ion District, will host the In-Space Physical AI Workshop Nov. 4-5.
Sanjoy Paul appointed executive director of the Rice Nexus, aims to ‘shape the future of technology’
Rice has appointed Sanjoy Paul as executive director of the Rice Nexus, the university’s premier innovation factory in the Ion that will offer state-of-the-art facilities for prototyping, testing and launching new ventures by Rice faculty and students.
First look at the Rice Nexus, Rice University’s premier innovation factory at the Ion
Rice has unveiled the first architectural renderings of the Rice Nexus, a groundbreaking innovation factory within the Ion that will transform ideas from Rice faculty and students into market-ready technology.
Eye On Art at the Ion to host art installation celebration May 15
The Eye On Art Program at the Ion — Houston’s innovation hub powered by Rice University — will celebrate two new installations and a monumental piece of artwork in the plaza at a free May 15 preview party.
InterfaceRice 2024 conference convenes neuroengineering experts
The Rice Neuroengineering Initiative recently held its two-day InterfaceRice 2024 as experts in neuroscience, neuroengineering, neurotechnology and neurosurgery convened for an event that connects Rice and the Texas Medical Center with global researchers and clinicians.
Mercury, Ion launch inaugural Software Day at the Ion to support Houston software startups
The inaugural “Software Day at the Ion,“ a monthly series aimed at nurturing software innovation and supporting startups on their path to growth, takes place May 14.
2024 Huff Engineering Design Showcase winners announced
The Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen (OEDK), Rice’s premier undergraduate engineering makerspace, announced the winners of its annual Harrell and Carolyn Huff Engineering Design Showcase and competition, which took place April 11 at the Ion, during an award ceremony following the event.
Rice engineering students convert old truck into an electrical vehicle
Four teams of Rice engineering students converted a 1997 Chevy P30 delivery van into a fully electric vehicle in less than a year, using a combination of parts scavenged from out-of-use vehicles, custom-built elements and off-the-shelf items.
Rice hosts Dr. Bernard Harris, first Black American astronaut to walk in space
Rice University continued its celebration of Black History Month with a special installment of the Ion’s “Visionary Voices” speaker series featuring Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., a NASA astronaut and the first Black American to walk in space. He is also a physician, company founder, CEO, philanthropist and venture capitalist.
Woodside provides $12.5M to support Rice-led project to advance decarbonization
Rice University and Woodside Energy today announced a ground-breaking five-year technology collaboration aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing lower carbon solutions.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby talks innovation, sustainability with President DesRoches
Rice University President Reginald DesRoches spoke with United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby Nov. 1 at The Ion as part of a new series called “Visionary Voices.” Jan Odegard, executive director at The Ion, and Managing Director of United Airlines Ventures Andrew Chang, a Rice alumnus, opened the conversation by introducing the goals of their respective companies and commending Rice for creating The Ion.
Houston Methodist launched its tech hub at the Ion
Houston Methodist launched its tech hub at the Ion on Aug. 28, becoming the first health care institution to join the innovation district. Rice President Reginald DesRoches offered remarks and spoke of the importance of fostering corporate and community collaborations.
US Sen. Cornyn’s staff visits Rice
Alaura Ervin, legislative assistant for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, toured several Rice Neuroengineering Initiative labs and the Ion Aug. 23, learning about the ways Rice is strengthening the workforce. (Photos by Nathan Cook)