Materials Science and NanoEngineering

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.

Energy transition is also a tech transition, Rice experts stress

Rice research was well represented at CERAWeek, the annual energy conference in Houston. It provides a global and high-level framework for understanding what’s ahead for energy markets and forums to exchange insights and solutions among academic and industry peers.

Rice energy expertise to be featured at CERAWeek

A number of experts from Rice will appear at CERAWeek to present their research and industry expertise March 10-14. Faculty and university leaders will contribute to key discussions at the week’s Executive Conference, Innovation Agora and Partner Programs, addressing the most pressing challenges in the energy sector such as decarbonization, artificial intelligence and scaling.

Nobel laureate Whittingham engages with Rice researchers, leaders on battery research and innovation during campus visit

Nobel laureate M. Stanley Whittingham shared insights from his pioneering work on lithium-ion batteries and addressed the future of energy storage during the Adams-Hauge Fund Smalley Lecture in Materials Science and Nanoengineering delivered at Rice.

Rice-led study finds 2D carbon material is 8 times tougher than graphene, resists cracking

Rice researchers found that a carbon material known as monolayer amorphous carbon is eight times tougher than graphene.

Rice-BCM research achieves gene-editing breakthrough that could improve treatment for liver disease, other disorders

The Rice lab of bioengineer Gang Bao and collaborators at Baylor College of Medicine have developed a new gene-editing strategy that dramatically boosts the effectiveness of gene therapies in the liver, a breakthrough that could lead to new treatments for about 700 genetic disorders in this vital organ as well as in other organs and tissues.

‘Smaller and better’: Rice research uncovers performance sweet spot for relaxor nanomaterial

A new study led by Rice materials scientist Lane Martin sheds light on how the extreme miniaturization of thin films affects the behavior of relaxor ferroelectrics — materials with noteworthy energy-conversion properties used in sensors, actuators and nanoelectronics.

Emilia Morosan on team awarded Kavli Foundation grant for quantum geometry-enabled superconductivity

Rice physicist Emilia Morosan is part of an international research collaboration that has been awarded multimillion-dollar funding from The Kavli Foundation to develop and test next-generation superconductors.

Rice researchers lead project using quantum phenomenon to transform super-resolution imaging

A multidisciplinary team of researchers from Rice and Texas A&M has received a $1.2 million award from the W.M. Keck Foundation to advance super-resolution imaging and single-molecule tracking by harnessing super-radiance, a quantum optical phenomenon with transformative potential for research and innovation in medicine, engineering and the physical sciences.

Rice researchers unlock new insights into tellurene, laying the foundation for next-gen electronics

Rice researchers have published a study describing how quasiparticles called polarons behave in tellurene, a nanomaterial first synthesized in 2017 that is made up of tiny chains of tellurium atoms and has properties useful in sensing, electronic, optical and energy devices.

Rice researchers unveil ‘surprising’ breakthrough in carbon nanotube recycling, paving way for sustainable materials

In a significant step toward creating a sustainable and circular economy, Rice researchers have published a landmark study demonstrating that carbon nanotube fibers can be fully recycled without any loss in their structure or properties.

Newly designed nanomaterial shows promise as antimicrobial agent

Newly developed halide perovskite nanocrystals show potential as antimicrobial agents that are stable, effective and easy to produce.

Rice hosts workshop and winter school to advance quantum materials research

Rice’s Center for Quantum Materials and Smalley-Curl Institute recently held two successive events aimed at advancing the field of quantum materials research.

WaTER Institute leads the charge in making cleaner water through nanotech

Providing access to safe drinking water can save more lives than doctors