Nanotechnology

Wade Adams, nanotechnology research leader and advocate, served Rice as ‘dynamic force’ while paving way for Smalley-Curl Institute

Wade Adams, former director of the Richard E. Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice, passed away Feb. 12 at the age of 78. A self-described “technical optimist,” Adams was not only an experienced researcher and educator but also an enthusiastic advocate of nanotechnology, which he defined as “making small stuff do big things” and viewed as offering potential solutions to pressing challenges, particularly in energy but also in clean water and medicine.

WaTER Institute leads the charge in making cleaner water through nanotech

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

Rice researchers develop 3D-printed wood from its own natural components

Researchers at Rice University have unlocked the potential to use 3D printing to make sustainable wood structures, offering a greener alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.

Rice’s Wiess School launches Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences

The Wiess School of Natural Sciences at Rice University has launched the Center for Nanoscale Imaging Sciences to improve the capture, analysis and interpretation of images at the nanometer scale. The center will push the frontiers of nanoscale imaging, contributing to breakthroughs in fields such as nanotechnology, materials science, biology and biomedicine.

Gold buckyballs, oft-used nanoparticle ‘seeds’ are one and the same

Rice chemists have discovered that tiny gold “seed” particles, a key ingredient in one of the most common nanoparticle recipes, are one and the same as gold buckyballs, 32-atom spheres that are cousins of the Nobel Prize-winning carbon buckyballs discovered at Rice in 1985.

Naomi Halas named University Professor

Rice University has promoted nanotechnology pioneer Naomi Halas to its highest academic rank, University Professor. Halas, a 33-year member of Rice’s faculty, becomes only the 10th person and second woman to earn the title in Rice’s 111-year history.

Nanoparticles make it easier to turn light into solvated electrons

Chemists from Rice, UT Austin and Stanford have uncovered the long-sought mechanism of a light-driven process that creates solvated electrons, inherently clean chemical reactants that are attractive for green chemistry.

​​​​​​​More links aren’t necessarily better for hybrid nanomaterials

Chemists from Rice and the University of Texas have found more isn’t always better when it comes to packing charge acceptors atop nanocrystals.

Growing pure nanotubes is a stretch, but possible

Rice engineers have a new strategy for making batches of carbon nanotubes with a single, desired chirality.

New catalyst can turn smelly hydrogen sulfide into a cash cow

Rice engineers and scientists and collaborators have discovered an efficient, one-step process for converting hydrogen sulfide gas into clean-burning hydrogen fuel.

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.

Wong named fellow of American Institute of Chemical Engineers

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering’s Michael Wong has been elected a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Halas, Nordlander win prestigious Eni Energy Transition Award

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

Rice improves catalyst that destroys ‘forever chemicals’ with sunlight

Rice chemical engineers have improved their light-powered catalyst for destroying forever chemical PFOA.

Tetrahedrons assemble! Three-sided pyramids form 2D structures

Rice chemists have discovered pyramid-shaped gold nanoparticles put their own twist on 2D self-assembly.