Physics and Astronomy

A Living Systems Network

NSF extends Physics of Living Systems network at Rice

The NSF awards nearly $3 million to the Center for Theoretical Biological Physics to continue its leadership role in the Physics of Living Systems graduate research network.

Rice physicists teamed with colleagues at Europe's Large Hadron Collider to study matter-generating collisions of light. Researchers showed the departure angle of debris from the smashups is subtly distorted by quantum interference patterns in the light prior to impact. Illustration by 123rf.com

Physicists probe light smashups to guide future research

Using computational models and atomic force microscope experiments, researchers at the University of Houston and Rice University have identified a possible “Achilles’ heel” in the frustration of amyloid beta peptides as they dock to the fibrils that form plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s. The frustrated steps could open a window for drugs able to cap the fibril ends, preventing further aggregation. (Credit: Illustration by Yuechuan Xu/Peter Vekilov/University of Houston)

Docking peptides, slow to lock, open possible path to treat Alzheimer’s

Researchers have identified a possible “Achilles’ heel” in the frustration of amyloid beta peptides as they dock to the fibrils that form plaques in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Simulations by scientists at the Rice University-based Center for Theoretical Biological Physics suggest how the SARS-CoV-2 spike infects cells. The illustration shows how the spike reconfigures itself in microseconds as it goes from pre- to post-fusion with target cells. The researchers suggest their work to reveal the mechanism by which the virus spreads could lead to new strategies to defeat COVID-19.

Sim shows how COVID virus infects cells

A simulation shows the complicated mechanism by which the SARS-CoV-2 virus may infect cells, leading to COVID-19.

Electrical conduction on the surface of the topological insulator bismuth iodide (pink and green arrows) transitions from the 2D sides (left) to the 1D edges of those sides (right) when the material is cooled to a critical temperature around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Image courtesy of Jianwei Huang/Rice University

Physicists find room-temperature, 2D-to-1D topological transition

Physicists have discovered a room-temperature transition between 1D and 2D electrical conduction states in the topological insulator bismuth iodide.

Carbon nanotubes woven into thread-like fibers and sewn into fabrics become a thermoelectric generator that can turn heat from the sun or other sources into energy in a project developed at Rice University. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Woven nanotube fibers turn heat into power

Carbon nanotubes woven into thread-like fibers and sewn into fabrics become a thermoelectric generator that can turn heat from the sun or other sources into energy.

PPP

People, papers and presentations for Aug. 16, 2021

The Baker Institute for Public Policy’s Kelsey Norman, fellow for the Middle East and director of the Women’s Rights, Human Rights and Refugees Program, has been awarded the 2021 Emerging Scholars Policy Prize

Artist's visualization of stellar magnetic activity

'Cool' kids in the cosmos may not be so unique

Rice University scientists show that "cool" stars like the sun share dynamic surface behaviors that influence their energetic and magnetic environments. Stellar magnetic activity is key to whether a given star can host planets that support life.

At left, top and side views of the crystal structures of perovskite-derived Cs3Bi2I9, a material synthesized at Rice University that shows valleytronics capabilities. Each unit cell contains two neighboring layers with a weak van der Waals interaction in between. At right: an image shows triangles of the material on a mica substrate. (Credit: Lou Group/Rice University)

Odds are good for unique 2D compound

Rice University engineers make 2D materials for valleytronics, a platform for information processing and storage that relies on the manipulation of electrons’ positions in energetic “valleys.”

Video by Esteban Dodero-Rojas and Paul Whitford/Center for Theoretical Biological Physics

Rice, Rutgers developing inhalable COVID-19 vaccine spray

Scientists at Rice and Rutgers developing two COVID-19 vaccine strategies that do not require cold storage, one of which can be inhaled.

Aerial image of the Texas Medical Center with the ENRICH office logo

Six Rice-TMC research teams earn seed grants

Rice's Educational and Research Initiatives for Collaborative Health has announced six seed grants for research collaborations between faculty from Rice and the Texas Medical Center.

Rice University scientists have enhanced models that could detect magnetosphere activity on exoplanets. The models add data from nightside activity that could increase signals by at least an order of magnitude. In this illustration, the planet’s star is at top left, and the rainbow patches are the radio emission intensities, most coming from the nightside. The white lines are magnetic field lines. Illustration by Anthony Sciola

Nightside radio could help reveal exoplanet details

Rice scientists enhance models that could be used to detect magnetosphere activity on exoplanets. The Rice model adds data from nightside activity that could increase signals by at least an order of magnitude.

Particle cards

Rice welcomes teachers for in-person physics workshop

QuarkNet returned to Rice last week for the first in-person workshop on campus since the start of the pandemic.

RAMBO

Odd angles make for strong spin-spin coupling

HOUSTON – (May 25, 2021) – Sometimes things are a little out of whack, and it turns out to be exactly what you need.

Guido Pagano

Time crystals' time is coming

A recently arrived Rice University professor preparing to study quantum systems assembled from the ground up with individual atoms has two significant papers on which to build his reputation.