Research

Rice engineers find a way to turn water pollution into valuable chemicals

Rice University researchers have identified a simpler way to rid water of cancer-causing pollutants and turn them into valuable chemicals.

Not so fast: Some batteries can be pushed too far

Fast charge and discharge of some lithium-ion batteries with intentional defects degrades their performance and endurance, according to Rice University engineers.

People, papers and presentations Jan 13, 2020

George Abbey, senior fellow in space policy at the Baker Institute for Public Policy, was elected to the Lone Star Flight Museum's Texas Aviation Hall of Fame. He will be inducted at a luncheon May 8 at Houston's Ellington Airport.

Gasification goes green

Rice University engineers have created a light-powered nanoparticle that could shrink the carbon footprint of syngas producers.

X-rays show how light transforms photosynthesis ‘switch’

Researchers at Rice and their colleagues get their first detailed look at how plant proteins reconfigure themselves when exposed to light.

Treat nonviolent drug offenses as public health issue, Baker Institute paper recommends

Drug use among people arrested for nonviolent drug offenses should be treated primarily as a public health issue, according to drug policy experts at Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition.

Snake-like proteins can wrangle DNA

Theoretical simulations at Rice University suggest structural maintenance of chromosome proteins coil not only around each other but also around the strands of DNA they help manipulate. These strands are formed into loops that regulate transcription and other cellular processes.

Quantum-dot tattoos hold vaccination record

Keeping track of a child’s shots could be so much easier with technology invented by a new Rice University professor and his colleagues.

Rice University launches bold climate change initiative with Shell

With initial support from Shell, Rice University has launched Carbon Hub, a climate change research initiative to fundamentally change how the world uses hydrocarbons. Carbon Hub's goal is a zero-emissions future in which hydrocarbons are not burned. Instead, they are split to make clean hydrogen energy and valuable carbon materials.

Malawi study confirms lasting impact of life-saving technology

A new study finds Malawi made sustained improvements in the survival of babies with respiratory illness by adopting CPAP nationwide.

Physicists find first possible 3D quantum spin liquid

Rice physicists show cerium zirconium pyrochlore qualifies as the first possible 3D quantum spin liquid.

Feds fund creation of headset for high-speed brain link

A Rice University-led team of neuroengineers is developing nonsurgical headset technology for brain-to-brain communication "at the speed of thought."

Organ bioprinting gets a breath of fresh air

Bioengineers have cleared a major hurdle on the path to 3D printing replacement organs with a breakthrough technique for bioprinting tissues.

Most British scientists cited in study feel Richard Dawkins’ work misrepresents science

Controversial British evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins is well-known for his criticism of religion, but a new Rice University study of British scientists reveals that a majority who mentioned Dawkins’ work during research interviews reject his approach to public engagement

Nanotubes assemble! Rice introduces ‘Teslaphoresis’

Scientists at Rice University have discovered that the strong force field emitted by a Tesla coil causes carbon nanotubes to self-assemble into long wires, a phenomenon they call “Teslaphoresis.”