Natural Sciences

SU(N) matter is about 3 billion times colder than deep space

Physicists from Rice and Kyoto University are using the uni­­verse’s coldest fermions to explore quantum magnets.

New weapon targets antibiotic resistance

A new class of molecular motors triggered by visible light kills harmful bacteria by generating reactive oxygen species. The new strategy could be a weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Glowing tags reveal split-second activity of pathogenic circuitry

Rice bioengineers have created the first tool for observing the real-time activity of biology’s most ubiquitous signal-processing circuits.

Reconstructing ice age diets reveals unraveling web of life

Rice-led research published in Science offers a clear picture of the consequences of land mammal declines on food webs.

Construction begins on Center for Human Performance

Leaders from Rice and Houston Methodist gathered at Tudor Fieldhouse Aug. 19 to celebrate the start of construction on the Houston Methodist-Rice University Center for Human Performance.

Brushing thin films onto electrodes preserves batteries

Brushing powdered phosphorus and sulfur into lithium anodes helps keep them from forming damaging dendrites in rechargeable batteries.

Rice, NASA extend Space Act Agreement

Rice and NASA extend their pact to share research and outreach through a Space Act Agreement.

Rice team eyes cells for sophisticated data storage

Rice University receives National Science Foundation support to turn living cells, starting with bacteria, into random-access memory devices. These will be able to store and report data about their environments.

Smalley-Curl Institute rewards students’ summer research

The Smalley-Curl Institute held its annual Summer Research Colloquium Aug. 5.

Rice models moving ‘washers’ that help DNA replicate

Rice researchers model a key mechanism by which DNA replicates. The study could help identify new targets to treat disease.

Halas, Nordlander win prestigious Eni Energy Transition Award

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

IBB picks top posters by summer research undergrads

The Institute for BioSciences and Engineering holds its annual Summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates symposium and poster competition.

Water can’t touch this sanded, powdered surface

Rice scientists and engineers develop a one-step method involving sandpaper and powder to make robust superhydrophobic materials.

Cherukuri named Rice University’s first vice president for innovation

Paul Cherukuri, the executive director of the Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering, has been named Rice University’s first vice president for innovation. 

Most but not all Texas coaches say they’ll plan for climate change

A survey of Texas college and high school coaches, trainers and athletic directors suggests many are not taking climate change into account as they plan their programs’ futures.