Physics and Astronomy

Rice lab’s catalyst could be key for hydrogen economy

A light-activated catalyst efficiently converts ammonia into clean-burning hydrogen using only inexpensive raw materials.

Early planetary migration can explain missing planets

Computer simulations by Rice University scientists and their collaborators explain two puzzling observations of exoplanets orbiting distant stars.

Rice wins Moore Foundation grant for quantum vacuum research

Junichiro Kono’s lab will study how matter and quantum vacuums become entangled thanks to a new grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

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.

People, papers and presentations for Oct. 24, 2022

Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor of chemistry, bioengineering, physics and astronomy and of materials science and nanoengineering and the director of Rice’s Smalley-Curl Institute, touted the findings of a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office study on women inventors Oct. 19 in Houston as part of the Society of Women Engineers’ annual meeting.

Physicists use ‘electron correlations’ to control topological materials

Physicists from Rice and other institutions have discovered a way to switch topological states on and off.

Physicists demo method for designing topological metals

Rice physicists and collaborators have demonstrated a new method for predicting whether metallic compounds are likely to host topological states that arise from strong electron interactions.

​​​​​​​Interwoven: Charge and magnetism intertwine in kagome material

Rice physicists have discovered a quantum material where electrons engage in a collective dance that appears to be governed by both their electronic and magnetic natures.

To thine own Spelf be true

The space selfie – a Spelfie, as it’s called – drew hundreds to Rice Stadium.

JFK: We will go to the moon. NASA: We will go farther

NASA and Rice celebrate the 60th anniversary of JFK's moon speech with a promise that his goal was just a beginning.

Onuchic wins top Biophysical Society honor

José Onuchic wins the 2023 Founders Award presented by the Biophysical Society.

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.

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.