Sustainability

Rice announces plans to be carbon neutral by 2030

Rice President David Leebron and Provost Reginald DesRoches outlined the efforts in a message to the university community Feb. 11.

Rare earth elements await in waste

Rice University scientists applied their flash Joule heating process to coal fly ash and other toxic waste to safely extract rare earth elements essential to modern electronics and green technologies.

Energy transition could be headed for ‘valley of death,’ says report

Investments in oil and gas have decreased in favor of alternative energy in recent years, but with alternative energy technologies still able to supply only a small fraction of useable energy, rushing the transition would be a costly mistake, according to a new report from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Rice’s Technology Development Fund backs faculty projects

Nine projects proposed by Rice researchers have been granted seed funding by Creative Ventures' Technology Development Fund.

Ultrathin solar cells get a boost

Rice University engineers boost the efficiency while retaining the toughness of solar cells made of two-dimensional perovskites.

People, papers and presentations for Nov. 8, 2021

Rice is ranked No. 2 for diversity and affordability and tied for No. 5 for research in the latest edition of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's Sustainable Campus Index.

Urban mining for metals flashes electronic trash into treasure

Flash Joule heating recovers valuable and toxic metals from electronic waste. The process allows for “urban mining” of resources that could be a win for the environment as well as for manufacturers.

Renewable energy will increase security and lower geopolitical risk, study shows

The transition to renewable energy will make the U.S. energy supply significantly more secure not only by decreasing the mining and materials required to build fossil fuel systems, but also by avoiding the political risks that threaten fossil fuel supply chains, according to new research from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Iran’s water crisis is a warning for the US

HOUSTON – (Aug. 3, 2021) – Iran’s groundwater depletion and food security crisis is an issue of global importance reflecting not only climate change, but also a pattern of policy mismanagement, according to an expert from Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.

Timothy Morton on giving up flight — at least when it comes to lectures

The environmental philosopher wants to model a new work-life balance that sends a message of care.

Solar energy collectors grown from seeds

Rice University engineers have created microscopic seeds for growing remarkably uniform 2D perovskite crystals that are both stable and highly efficient at harvesting electricity from sunlight.

Seismic study will help keep carbon underground

A Department of Energy grant to Rice geoscientists enables development of fiber-optic sensors to find and evaluate small faults at underground carbon dioxide storage reservoirs.

New to you

Barely used shoes and worn-once jeans were among the items available as the Rice EcoRep program hosted a clothing swap in the central quad.

Fondren’s Green Team hosting sustainability-focused events thanks to ALA grant

The upcoming Oct. 28 'Houston Women on Climate Action' panel is open to the public.

Trotting among the trees

On a pleasant fall day, not even the Houston Police Department Mounted Patrol can resist a stroll through Rice’s leafy campus — which, as it happens, is also an officially designated arboretum.