Books that shaped a universe: Reiff reflects on science, curiosity and imagination
For more than five decades, Patricia Reiff has explored the forces that shape Earth’s place in space. But when the Rice professor of physics and astronomy took the stage Jan. 15 for Friends of Fondren Library’s Books That Shaped My World series, her focus shifted from spacecraft and data to the books and people that have influenced how she thinks, teaches and lives.
New data-driven 3D chromosome model reveals structural and dynamic features of DNA
Rice researchers develop a new and effective approach for creating 3D maps of chromosomes from real-world data.
Newly identified protein dark energy provides insight into form vs function in protein structure
Rice researchers and collaborators recently published a paper describing the “dark energy” found in the structural protein universe.
Rice researchers awarded Hill Prize in Engineering for light-driven ammonia synthesis
Rice’s Naomi Halas, Peter Nordlander and Hossein Robajatzi have been awarded the 2026 Hill Prize in Engineering for their work advancing light-driven technologies for sustainable ammonia synthesis.
Researchers led by Guido Pagano used a specialized quantum device to simulate a vibrating molecule and track how energy moves within it.
Scientists uncover new quantum state that could power future technologies
Scientists have discovered a new quantum state of matter that connects two significant areas of physics.
Rice researchers uncover the hidden physics of knot formation in fluids
A team of researchers at Rice, Georgetown University and the University of Trento in Italy has uncovered a surprising physical mechanism that explains how a single filament can form a knot while sinking through a fluid under strong gravitational forces.
Rice hosts US-Japan Space Forum to advance commercial orbit cooperation
Rice welcomed government, industry and academic leaders for the 2025 U.S.-Japan Space Forum.
Rice’s Johns-Krull plays key role in new satellite mission to uncover hidden stellar activity
Rice's Christopher Johns-Krull plays key role in new satellite mission to uncover hidden stellar activity.
Rice convenes global researchers to advance understanding of quantum geometry in materials
The Rice Center for Quantum Materials hosted a Workshop on Quantum Geometry and Winter School on Quantum Materials Synthesis, bringing together more than 100 researchers, students and scientific leaders from around the world.
Kono awarded American Physical Society’s Isakson Prize
Rice applied physicist Junichiro Kono has been awarded the American Physical Society’s 2026 Frank Isakson Prize for Optical Effects in Solids.
Researchers gather at Rice to bridge quantum materials and quantum information
The Extreme Quantum Materials Alliance (eQMA) in collaboration with Rice’s Smalley-Curl Institute hosted the eQMA Workshop on Hidden Orders and Quantum Entanglement, part of the UNESCO 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology celebration.
Rice researchers have successfully measured the temperature of quark-gluon plasma at various stages of its evolution.
Rice’s Jo receives Moore Foundation Experimental Physics Investigators award
Gyu-Boong Jo has been selected for the 2025 cohort of the Experimental Physics Investigators Initiative.
Rice physicists’ new lab focused on emergent magnetic materials, funded by Department of Energy
Physicists from Rice have received a $4.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to establish the Rice Laboratory for Emergent Magnetic Materials.
