Breakthrough synthesis method improves solar cell stability
A process developed by Rice engineers and collaborators yields 2D halide perovskite crystal layers of ideal thickness and purity through dynamic control of the crystallization process ⎯ a key step toward ensuring device stability for optoelectronics and photovoltaics.
Rice helping study how soil health improvement can boost crops
America’s farmers rely on a host of practices such as cover cropping and crop rotation to maintain soil health, grow more productive crops and feed the U.S. and countries around the world. However, current research is too sparse to precisely demonstrate how these practices can actually affect the yields and bottom line for farmers.
Device makes hydrogen from sunlight with record efficiency
Rice University engineers’ have created a device that turns sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency by integrating next-generation halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective and scalable device.
Rice has announced an initial commitment to fund groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research at five new and existing institutes across campus.
Electrochemical device captures carbon dioxide at the flick of a switch
New carbon capture technology developed by Rice University engineers can generate a continuous, high-purity carbon dioxide stream from diluted, or low-concentration, gas streams using only electricity and a water-and-oxygen-based reaction.
Rice and Texas partners’ energy transition proposal named semifinalist for major NSF Engines grant
A coalition between Rice University, the Greater Houston Partnership’s Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and four other leading Texas research universities has been named a semifinalist for the National Science Foundation Engines program.
New priming method improves battery life, efficiency
Rice University engineers have developed a readily scalable method to optimize a silicon anode priming method that increases lithium-ion battery performance by 22% to 44%.
Class project leads to staff-sponsored initiative for a greener May move-out
Thanks to an initiative two semesters in the making that saw environmentally conscious students partner with campus sustainability leaders and community partners, undergraduates at all of Rice’s 11 residential colleges were able to place unwanted clothing, shoes, linens and other textile-based items in large bins provided to each college by Green City Recycler, a Houston-based recycling company that works to reduce the staggering amount of textile waste that finds its way into landfills each year.
Business leaders, strategists and technologists from the energy industry attended the first International Workshop on AI-Powered Renewable Energy April 17-18 at the Ion innovation hub.
Strong ultralight material could aid energy storage, carbon capture
Rice U. materials scientists and collaborators at the University of Maryland showed that fine-tuning interlayer interactions in a class of 2D polymers can determine the materials’ loss or retention of desirable mechanical properties in multilayer or bulk form.
Ocean warming intensifies viral outbreaks within corals
A groundbreaking three-year study has found evidence that ocean warming can trigger outbreaks of viruses that attack the symbiotic algae inside corals.
James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award
Rice bioscientist James Chappell has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to develop RNA programming methods that can improve human health and the environment.
Protein-based coating could keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer
Rice University materials scientist Muhammad Rahman has won a National Science Foundation grant to develop a sustainable, low-cost coating to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables.
Rice joins neutrino megaproject. Engineering launches energy transition initiative. McHugh lands cancer research grant. Keck Foundation funds quantum research. West named Cottrell Scholar.
Texas in position to lead hydrogen energy economy, new report says
Texas’ legacy energy economy and geology are ideal for developing a robust hydrogen market, which will play an important role in sustainability, but a successful energy transition also requires a shift in policy and market structure, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
