Rice physicist Stanislav Sazykin dies at 49
Stanislav Sazykin, an associate research professor of physics and astronomy who was highly respected in his field of space science, died suddenly on May 3 at 49. The cause of his death has not yet been determined.
Students’ model could help avoid costly natural gas compressor shutdowns
A student project to predict the need for maintenance in natural gas compressors and avoid unexpected shutdowns has won this year’s Data to Knowledge Lab Showcase.
Rice names architect for new engineering and science building
With the imminent demolition of Rice University’s Abercrombie Engineering Laboratory, the space will soon be cleared for a new engineering and science building, according to Rice administrators. International architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has been selected as lead architect for the new building. Houston’s Scientia Architects will consult on laboratory design.
Teamwork makes light shine ever brighter
If you’re looking for one technique to maximize photon output from plasmons, stop. It takes two to wrangle.
Seven research teams win Carbon Hub funding
Carbon Hub, Rice University's zero-emissions research initiative, has awarded seed grants for seven projects that will rapidly advance its vision for transforming the oil and gas sector into a leading provider of both clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon products that can be used in place of materials with large carbon footprints.
Christopher Tunnell wins NSF CAREER Award
Rice University computational astroparticle physicist Christopher Tunnell is getting help in his search for the nature of the universe through a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award.
Bottling the world's coldest plasma
Rice University physicists have discovered a way to trap the world's coldest plasma in a magnetic bottle, a technological achievement that could advance research into clean energy, space weather and astrophysics.
Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should exist
In a twist befitting the strange nature of quantum mechanics, physicists have discovered the Hall effect — a characteristic change in the way electricity is conducted in the presence of a magnetic field — in a nonmagnetic quantum material to which no magnetic field was applied.
Study shows why anesthetic stops cell’s walkers in their tracks
Researchers detail the mechanism that allows propofol, a common anesthetic, to halt the movement of kinesin proteins that deliver cargoes to the far reaches of cells.
Fermi space telescope offers 'best look ever' at giant flare
Intense light from the April 2020 eruption of a neutron star in a nearby galaxy has given astronomers their first clear look at a type of gamma-ray burst known as a magnetar giant flare.
Sheets of carbon nanotubes come in a rainbow of colors
Nanomaterials researchers in Finland, the United States and China have created a color atlas for 466 unique varieties of single-walled carbon nanotubes.
Top Rice data science team shows heart in plan to save babies
Winning Data to Knowledge Lab project uses data science techniques to help save babies with congenital heart defects.
Scientists get the lowdown on sun’s super-hot atmosphere
Images of the sun captured by the IRIS mission show new details of how low-lying loops of plasma are energized, and may also reveal how the hot corona is created.
Rice physicist shares grant to advance imaging
The lab of physicist Junichiro Kono will share in a $1 million grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to improve imaging of proteins, cells and tissues.
Thomas Killian named dean of Wiess School of Natural Sciences
Rice University has named physicist Thomas Killian dean of the Wiess School of Natural Sciences, effective Jan. 1.
