Smalley-Curl Institute

Patterns adorns a static model used to test Rice University’s Hyperspectral Stripe Projector, which combines spectroscopic and 3D imaging. Barcode-like black and white patterns are displayed on the DMD to generate the hyperspectral stripes. (Credit: Kelly Lab/Rice University)

3D camera earns its stripes at Rice

July 22, 2021

The Hyperspectral Stripe Projector captures spectroscopic and 3D imaging data.

Rice University engineers have led the development of a process that uses functionalized graphene quantum dots to trap transition metals for higher metal loading single-atom catalysis. (Credit: Wang Group/Rice University)

Quantum dots keep atoms spaced to boost catalysis

June 24, 2021

Rice engineers use graphene quantum dots to trap transition metals for high atom loading in single atom catalysis.

The mechanism by Rice University chemists for the phase evolution of fluorinated flash nanocarbons shows stages with longer and larger energy input. Carbon and fluorine atoms first form a diamond lattice, then graphene and finally polyhedral concentric carbon. (Credit: Illustration by Weiyin Chen/Rice University)

‘Flashed’ nanodiamonds are just a phase

June 21, 2021

The “flash” process developed at Rice University can turn carbon black into functionalized nanodiamond and other materials. The carbon atoms evolved through several phases depending on the length of the flash.

Three gas-phase molecules react at high temperatures during chemical vapor deposition to form molybdenum disulfide, a two-dimensional semiconductor that could find use in next-generation electronics. In this illustration, molybdenum atoms are purple, oxygen is red and sulfur is yellow. (Credit: Illustration by Jincheng Lei/Rice University)

Rice lab peers inside 2D crystal synthesis

June 11, 2021

Scientific studies describing the most basic processes often have the greatest impact in the long run. A new work by Rice University engineers could be one such, and it’s a gas, gas, gas for nanomaterials.

Chemists at Rice University and the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany quantified the release of silver ions from gold-silver nanoparticle alloys. At top, transmission electron microscope images show the change in color as silver (in blue) leaches out of a nanoparticle over several hours, leaving gold atoms behind. The bottom hyperspectral images show how much a nanoparticle of silver and gold shrank over four hours as the silver leaches away. (Credit: Rice University)

Silver ions hurry up, then wait as they disperse

April 22, 2021

Rice University scientists have revealed a new catalyst, plasma-treated carbon black, to reduce oxygen to valuable hydrogen peroxide. The process introduces defects to the carbon material’s atomic honeycomb, providing more surface area for reactions. (Credit: Tour Group/Yakobson Research Group/Rice University)

‘Defective’ carbon simplifies hydrogen peroxide production

February 9, 2021

Rice scientists introduce a new catalyst to reduce oxygen to widely used hydrogen peroxide.

Flashing plastic ash completes recycling

January 13, 2021

Rice ‘flashes’ new 2D materials

January 11, 2021

2D compound shows unique versatility

January 11, 2021

‘Soft’ nanoparticles give plasmons new potential

December 22, 2020

A color map illustrates the inherent colors of 466 types of carbon nanotubes with unique (n,m) designations based their chiral angle and diameter.

Sheets of carbon nanotubes come in a rainbow of colors

December 14, 2020

Nanomaterials researchers in Finland, the United States and China have created a color atlas for 466 unique varieties of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Films made of highly aligned nanotubes like those developed at Rice in 2016 will be part of advanced tissue imaging systems. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University)

Rice physicist shares grant to advance imaging

December 3, 2020

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.

Chemists at Rice University have discovered a second level of fluorescence in single-walled carbon nanotubes. The fluorescence is triggered when oxygen molecules excited into a singlet state interact with nanotubes, prompting excitons to form triplet states that upconvert into fluorescing singlets. (Credit: Illustration by Ching-Wei Lin/Rice University)

Chemists get peek at novel fluorescence

December 3, 2020

Rice chemists find a second level of fluorescence in single-walled carbon nanotubes. The phenomenon may be useful in solar energy and optoelectronic applications.

Rice University researchers have expanded their theory on converting graphene into 2D diamond, or diamane. They have determined that a pinpoint of pressure can trigger connections between layers of graphene, rearranging the lattice into cubic diamond. (Credit: Illustration by Pavel Sorokin)

Rice finds path to nanodiamond from graphene

October 29, 2020

Rice University researchers expand their theory on converting graphene into 2D diamond, or diamane.

Rice University will roll up for the second international Nanocar Race with a new vehicle. The one-molecule car has a permanent dipole that makes it easier to control. (Credit: Alexis van Venrooy/Rice University)

Rice rolls out next-gen nanocars

October 26, 2020

Rice researchers continue to advance the science of single-molecule machines with a new lineup of nanocars, in anticipation of the next international Nanocar Race in 2022.