Materials Science and NanoEngineering

Rice researchers lay groundwork for designer hybrid 2D materials

An international team of researchers led by Rice materials scientists has succeeded in creating a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene.

Rice method refines ultrapure diamond film fabrication for quantum and electronic applications

Rice researchers have developed a simpler and more effective technique to make ultrapure diamond films for quantum and electronic applications.

‘Hopelessly attached’: Scientists discover new 2D material that sticks the landing

Researchers from Rice and Northwestern University discover new 2D material, confirming decade-old prediction.

Forging a path to a sustainable carbon economy: Inside the vision of Rice’s Carbon Hub

As the world races to address the climate crisis, a coalition headquartered at Rice is taking a radically collaborative approach to one of the toughest challenges: how to decarbonize industry while at the same time boosting manufacturing, improving infrastructure and securing the supply chains for the energy and materials we rely on every day.

Bao wins Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award

Rice's Gang Bao has been selected to receive the Robert Henry Thurston Lecture Award from the American Society for Mechanical Engineers for his sustained contributions to the mechanics of composites, cell mechanics and nanomedicine.

Rice engineers tackle sunlight intermittency in solar desalination

A team of Rice engineers has developed a system that could transform desalination practices, making the process more adaptable, resilient and cheaper. The new system is powered by sunlight and uses a creative approach to heat recovery for extended water production ⎯ with and without sunshine.

Machine learning powers new approach to detecting soil contaminants

A team of researchers at Rice and Baylor College of Medicine has developed a new strategy for identifying hazardous pollutants in soil ⎯ even ones that have never been isolated or studied in a lab.

A new shape for energy storage: Cone and disc carbon structures offer new pathways for sodium-ion batteries

A new study led by researchers from the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice has introduced an innovative solution that could impact electrochemical energy storage technologies.

Light-based data made clearer with new machine learning method

Rice researchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that excels at interpreting optical spectra, potentially enabling faster and more precise medical diagnoses and sample analysis.

Karen Lozano, Eduardo Salas elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

Rice professors Karen Lozano and Eduardo Salas have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the oldest and most prestigious learned societies in the nation.

Rice scientists uncover quantum surprise: Matter mediates ultrastrong coupling between light particles

A team of Rice researchers has developed a new way to control light interactions using a specially engineered structure called a 3D photonic-crystal cavity that could enable transformative advancements in quantum computing, quantum communication and other quantum-based technologies.

Graduate Student Spotlight: Tia Gray ’25

Tia Gray, a doctoral candidate in materials science and nanoengineering from Columbus, Georgia, found her way to Rice through the QuestBridge program.

Scientists observe exotic quantum phase once thought impossible

A team of Rice researchers reported the first direct observation of a surprising quantum phenomenon predicted over half a century ago known as a superradiant phase transition, which occurs when two groups of quantum particles begin to fluctuate in a coordinated, collective way without any external trigger, forming a new state of matter.

Rice scientists pioneer method to tackle ‘forever chemicals’

A new study unveils a method that eliminates PFAS from water systems and also transforms waste into high-value graphene.

Chance discovery improves stability of bioelectronic material used in medical implants, computing and biosensors

Bioelectronic devices, neural interfaces, biosensors and AI hardware are now easier to make thanks to a streamlined method for fabricating a key material.