Rice University professor Bidong Zhang has received a $2.54 million NASA grant to develop more accurate ages for lunar samples using next-generation radiometric dating techniques. The goal is to create an easier-to-use tool kit that can analyze various types of lunar rocks brought back by NASA's future missions.
The partnership aims to develop groundbreaking water treatment solutions in areas like desalination, brine management, PFAS treatment, and resource recovery. The collaboration will leverage IDE's expertise in commercial water treatment and the WaTER Institute's research prowess.
Researchers discovered a new material, boron arsenide, that exhibits record-high coherence of optical phonons due to suppression of three-phonon scattering. This finding holds promise for the development of quantum phononics and could aid in managing excess heat in electronics.
Researchers at Rice University and the Weizmann Institute have visualized compact molecular orbitals in flat band quantum materials, providing insight into the interplay between topology and correlation physics. The study reveals that these electronic agents underlie the unusual quantum critical behavior in a highly correlated metal.
Corey Abramson's research combines fieldwork and computation to examine how health and American society shape one another. He is completing his book 'Unequal Anatomies' with Oxford University Press, integrating large-scale computational tools with qualitative research.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that bacterial cells use SMC proteins to enable the separation of their circular chromosomes during replication. This process relies on repulsive forces strengthened by SMC, allowing the cell to split neatly into two with its own copy of DNA.
Researchers at Rice University explored how artificial intelligence and machine learning can accelerate discoveries in the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). The workshop aimed to integrate AI techniques into the massive computing ecosystem powering the experiment.
Researchers at Rice University developed a safe bioelectronic sensor using naturally occurring polymer chitosan to effectively communicate with bacteria. The system uses a hydrogel to trap bacteria near an electrode, generating a stable electronic current when exposed to target substances.
Researchers directly measured lithium dendrites' mechanical strength, finding they exhibit unexpectedly high strength and brittle behavior under stress. The study provides insights into how dendrites respond to physical stresses within a battery cell, shedding light on the challenge of scale and access that hindered previous research.
Rice bioengineer Omid Veiseh has been awarded a $2.2 million grant to develop implantable cell factory platforms that can deliver therapeutic antibodies over extended periods. The platform aims to reduce dosing frequency and improve access to biologic therapies in low- and middle-income countries.
New study evaluates two prominent AI global weather models, finding they excel at forecasting storm tracks but struggle to reproduce realistic wind patterns and storm intensity. The researchers emphasize the need for bias corrections and interpretation to improve AI forecasting accuracy.
Researchers create polymer heat exchanger with 2-4 times more cooling capacity per dollar than metal versions, offering a cost-effective and scalable solution for industries. The design's deployable nature makes it ideal for space missions, drones, and compact electronics.
Rice University researchers have developed a new capability, magnetoARPES, to study quantum behaviors in materials like superconductors. The technique allows researchers to probe the full electronic response to a magnetic field, giving insights into collective electron behaviors.
Researchers developed a method to use PFAS to extract lithium from high-salinity brine pools, reducing environmental damage and costs. The process, which uses electrothermal heating, recovers 82% of lithium fluoride at 99% purity, outperforming traditional methods in terms of energy efficiency and water usage.
Researchers at Rice University developed a CRISPR-based technique that increases mitochondrial production in heart cells, improving energy levels and pumping contractions. The system successfully boosted mitochondrial function in human cell types, animal models, and adult human heart donor tissue.
Rice University has been selected to lead the US Space Force Strategic Technology Institute 4 (SSTI) with a $8.1 million cooperative agreement. The Center for Advanced Space Sensing Technologies (CASST) will focus on developing advanced remote sensing and sensemaking technologies from space. The research team will integrate existing te...
Rice researchers found that cerium magnesium hexalluminate is not a quantum spin liquid, despite exhibiting characteristics of quantum spin liquid states. The material's unique ability to 'choose' between different low energy states produced observational data similar to a quantum spin liquid state.
A team at Rice University developed a new type of electric heating element using carbon nanotube fibers, which deliver more heating power per unit mass than conventional metal-alloy heaters. This innovation has the potential to electrify industrial heating, a critical step toward reducing carbon emissions.
A team of researchers led by Rice University bioengineer Omid Veiseh is developing a first-of-its-kind regenerative treatment aimed at restoring damaged lymphatic vessels and potentially curing lymphedema. The therapy, called ELIXIR, uses engineered human retinal pigment epithelial cells to rebuild broken lymphatic vessels.
Roadside radar sensors like EyeDAR enhance automotive radar systems by capturing reflections from obstacles, reducing blind spots and improving sensing accuracy. This technology has potential applications in robots, drones, and wearable platforms, complementing artificial intelligence with analog design.
A gene therapy platform successfully mapped the living brain noninvasively, using engineered proteins to track gene expression in different brain regions. This technology has the potential to reveal critical information about cellular activity and neurological disease progression.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new technique to spot hidden defects in ultrathin electronics, which can trap electrical charges and weaken the material. This method uses electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence mapping, and force-based measurements to detect defects before they undermine device performance.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to grow patterned diamond surfaces that can decrease operating temperatures in electronics. This approach uses microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition to create ordered layers of diamond crystals on substrates, allowing for controlled seed placement and scalable growth.
Researchers developed a multilayered insulated superhydrophobic (MISH) coating that maintains repellency up to 90°C, outperforming conventional coatings. The coating's insulating layer reduces heat transfer, preventing condensation and maintaining 'never-wet' properties.
Researchers are making breakthroughs in understanding how water and ions move through membranes at the molecular level. By combining molecular simulations, nanofluidics and advanced experimental tools, scientists can design membranes with unprecedented efficiency and selectivity for clean water, sustainable chemistry and renewable energy.
Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship for his innovative work on noninvasive methods to communicate with the brain. He aims to develop versatile platform technologies to obtain new types of research data and treat multiple diseases.
Rice University researchers found that strawberry guava can prevent natural forest generation in areas of Ranomafana National Park, even decades after deforestation has ended. The invasive plant changes the forest by reducing soil nutrients and altering insect populations, preventing native species recovery.
Rice University scientists create a detailed map of the Alzheimer's brain using hyperspectral Raman imaging and machine learning. The findings show that chemical changes are unevenly distributed across the brain and extend beyond amyloid plaques, revealing broader metabolic differences between healthy and diseased brains.
As glaciers shrink, they're drawing visitors for their beauty and symbolic meaning in a warming world. The study highlights both emotional responses and tensions between conservation, livelihoods, and environmental responsibility.
The Rice lab will produce bioprinted, vascularized kidney tissue that augments renal function in patients with kidney disease. The implantable kidney tissue will be made from a patient's own cells combined with a bioink that supports the long-term viability of the implanted cells.
A new study from Rice University suggests that drivers often misunderstand cyclist hand signals, which can lead to accidents. The research found that arm signals are the most effective way for drivers to understand a cyclist's intentions, but even these signals can be misinterpreted in certain situations.
A two-step approach to gene expression creates more resilient producers of nanostructures for advanced sensing and therapeutics. This new genetic regulatory system ensures host cells remain healthy while producing functional nanostructures.
FI-Chrom uses Hi-C maps to create 3D models of chromosomes, revealing structural and dynamic features such as chromatin loops forming transiently. The open-access program provides insight into chromosome structure in various organisms.
Researchers found 'dark energy' in protein structures, indicating energetic frustration between form and function. This 'dark energy' varies by site, revealing the cost of specific functions like binding.
Climate-risk scores are being used in infrastructure design, housing markets, and public policy, but the devil is in the details. Only 4% of highly cited studies shared their data and code, highlighting a structural barrier to cumulative progress.
Researchers at Rice University replicated Thomas Edison's 1879 light bulb experiment, discovering that the carbon filament used in his design could have produced turbostratic graphene. This finding sparks curiosity about what other information lies buried in historical experiments and how modern techniques can reveal new insights.
The Global Brain Economy Initiative aims to establish brain capital as an essential asset for the 21st century, connecting neuroscience with economic policy. The initiative's mission is to address disparities in support for brain capital across various sectors and promote long-term growth, workforce resilience, and social well-being.
Researchers at Rice University are exploring biological systems-inspired delivery vehicles to target specific tissues in living organisms, aiming to improve the efficiency of gene-based therapies. The project focuses on optimizing combinations of surface molecules to enable precise and efficient delivery of large DNA payloads.
The Rice University's SynthX Center has received a $18 million award from ARPA-H to develop innovative solutions for lymphatic diseases. The project aims to enable early, high-resolution imaging and biomarker-based diagnostics to facilitate accurate diagnoses and improve patient outcomes.
A multimillion-dollar grant supports Rice's Preston and Sanchez in advancing assistive clothing technology. They aim to create comfortable, scalable, and affordable garments that can provide support, balance, and stability for people with mobility limitations.
The Rice University team, led by Naomi Halas and Peter Nordlander, has been recognized for its work on advancing light-driven technologies for sustainable ammonia synthesis. The project aims to improve light-based catalysts and reactor prototypes while scaling up sustainable production processes.
Researchers used a quantum device to simulate a vibrating molecule, tracking how energy moves within it. They found that vibrations can actively steer energy flow in unexpected ways, speeding up transfer and opening new pathways.
Researchers have discovered a new quantum state of matter that combines quantum criticality and electronic topology, paving the way for advancements in computing, sensing, and materials science. This hybrid state has potential applications in real-world technologies due to its durable and highly sensitive qualities.
Researchers developed a new technique called CLASSIC that enables large-scale testing of complex DNA circuits in human cells. The approach uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze vast numbers of complete circuits at once, providing scientists with a clearer picture of the rules governing genetic part behavior.
The Rice Brain Institute has awarded seed grants to four collaborative projects that unite Rice faculty with clinicians and scientists across the Texas Medical Center. The grants support innovative research in brain science, mental health, and neurological disease.
A Rice University psychologist is investigating how irrelevant visual information interferes with ability to stay on task. Her research aims to clarify how attention is captured, linger on distractions and recover. The study uses electroencephalography to measure brain activity in real-time.
A Rice University-led team has unveiled the molecular structures on industrial catalysts that behave during vinyl acetate monomer production. The work points to catalyst designs that could reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and make global VAM production cleaner and more reliable.
A team of researchers from Rice University discovered that lakes on ancient Mars could persist under thin seasonal ice for at least decades, contradicting earlier climate models. The study suggests that surface features shaped by sustained liquid water coexist with the idea that early Mars was too cold to support such conditions.
Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center developed patient-specific models to predict stress and deformation in reconstructed pelvises. The study found that larger bone grafts experience lower stresses and smaller deformations than thinner bones.
A new study by Rice University researchers links legal sports betting to a measurable rise in violent and impulsive crime on game days. Crime levels surge when betting outcomes defy expectations, such as underdog wins, especially during games with close or tied scores that extend into overtime