Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Rice University


Antenna-on-a-chip rips the light fantastic

The Rice team's device can modulate a signal at more than 10 gigabits per second, making it suitable for real-time video processing and high-speed data throughput. This breakthrough has the potential to scale up the capability of optical information processing systems by several magnitudes.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 16, 2012

Study explains connection between Hawaii's dueling volcanoes

A new study explains the connection between Kilauea and Mauna Loa by proposing an upper-mantle link that can account for their competition over a deep magma supply. The research suggests that increased pressure in the upper mantle is transmitted through a partially molten region, causing simultaneous inflation at both volcanoes.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·DateOct 23, 2012

Light might prompt graphene devices on demand

Researchers at Rice University have made a breakthrough in doping graphene with light, allowing for the creation of simple, graphene-based diodes and transistors on demand. The discovery uses plasmonics to manipulate light and inject electrons into the material, enabling novel security and cryptography devices.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 10, 2012

Photonic gels are colorful sensors

Researchers at Rice University and MIT developed a thin-film polymer metamaterial that changes color in response to ions, enabling the creation of inexpensive sensors for food spoilage detection, security, and high-contrast displays. The sensors can be tuned to react in specific ways by adjusting the solvent used.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 10, 2012

Predatory bacterial crowdsourcing

Scientists at Rice University and UTHealth discovered a simple formula that enables Myxococcus xanthus bacteria to create waves to spread and devour other bacteria. The formula involves side-to-side contact between cells, a reversal time interval, and physical interactions, allowing the waves to move outward in unison.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateSep 27, 2012

Rice University lab encodes collagen

Rice scientists created a computer program that predicts the most stable structures of nanometer-sized collagen, a crucial step toward synthesizing custom collagen. This breakthrough has significant implications for treating diseases and designing drugs, as collagen plays a vital role in holding cells together.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2012

Snakes minus birds equals more spiders for Guam

A study led by Rice University found that the Pacific island of Guam has a staggering 40 times more spiders than neighboring islands due to the loss of forest birds caused by the invasive brown treesnake. The loss of birds, which consume spiders and compete with them for insects, has led to an increase in spider populations.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 13, 2012

Every atom counts in graphene formation

Rice University researchers have developed a nanoreactor theory to predict graphene formation, which can advance the material's quality and electronic properties. The team found that the shape of the graphene edge pattern is dictated by the most efficient use of energy, with skewed edges growing fastest.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2012

Waste not, power up

Researchers have developed a method to make flexible lithium-ion battery components from discarded silicon, which can prolong their usefulness. The new material is made by creating nanowires from high-value but hard-to-recycle silicon and then encasing them in an electrically conducting copper and ion-conducting polymer electrolyte.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 4, 2012

Experts propose 'cyber war' on cancer

Researchers suggest a 'cyber war' on cancer by breaking the code of cancer cells' social behavior, similar to bacterial colonies. This approach could help prevent dormancy and reawaken cells for targeted chemotherapy attacks.

SourceRice University·JournalTrends in Microbiology·DateSep 4, 2012

Rice, MD Anderson scientists probe mystery of operon evolution

Researchers at Rice University and MD Anderson Cancer Center offer a possible explanation for the existence of operons, jointly controlled clusters of genes found in bacterial chromosomes. The study suggests that operons help bacteria deal with noisy biochemical signals by suppressing noise in gene regulatory networks.

SourceRice University·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateAug 30, 2012

Nanoparticles reboot blood flow in brain

Researchers at Rice University have discovered a nanoparticle that can restore balance to the brain's vascular system after an injury. The PEG-HCC nanoparticles immediately quench superoxide activity and allow the autoregulatory system to regain its balance, potentially treating mild brain trauma by preventing further damage.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 23, 2012

How to feed data-hungry mobile devices? Use more antennas

Researchers from Rice University unveiled a new multi-antenna technology dubbed Argos, which aims to dramatically increase network capacity by allowing cell towers to simultaneously beam signals to more than a dozen customers on the same frequency. The technology could result in a six-fold increase in network capacity and energy savings.

Toughened silicon sponges may make tenacious batteries

Researchers at Rice University and Lockheed Martin have developed a process to create multiple high-performance anodes from a single silicon wafer for lithium-ion batteries. The new method uses electrochemical etching to extract the sponge-like structure, which can store more than four times its weight in lithium.

SourceRice University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateJul 16, 2012

Plasmonic chains act like polymers

Researchers at Rice University have discovered that plasmonic chains exhibit properties similar to polymers, with the arrangement of nanoparticles influencing their optical behavior. The study found that the addition of nanoparticles along the chain can alter the energy of super-radiant modes and affect the interaction between particles.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 12, 2012

Ions, not particles, make silver toxic to bacteria

Researchers found that silver nanoparticles are less toxic to bacteria than their released ions. The team's study suggests that controlling the rate of ion release can enhance antibacterial properties and mitigate environmental impacts. They also discovered hormesis, where low doses of silver ions stimulate bacterial growth.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 11, 2012

Tiny bubbles snap carbon nanotubes like twigs

Researchers at Rice University detail the exact mechanism of how carbon nanotubes bend and break when subjected to ultrasonic vibrations in a liquid. The study reveals that long and short nanotubes behave differently, with shorter tubes stretching and longer ones bending before snapping.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2012

Daily deal industry shows no evidence of slowing down

A new study by Utpal Dholakia at Rice University found that daily deals are becoming increasingly successful for businesses, with three-quarters reporting profits after seven or more deals. The study also reveals that newer and smaller businesses tend to perform better in the long term, with sustainability rates of up to 40%.

Rising plasma offers clues to sun storms

A team of researchers, including a Rice astrophysicist, used Doppler measurements to observe loops of plasma flowing up from the sun's surface at high speeds. These findings may help predict solar flares and coronal mass ejections that threaten satellites and power grids.

SourceRice University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJul 3, 2012

Rice researchers develop paintable battery

Rice researchers have developed a paintable lithium-ion battery with a five-layer structure, consisting of spray-painted components. The batteries were tested on various substrates and showed remarkable consistency in their capacities, making them suitable for energy-harvesting applications.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 28, 2012

Nano-infused paint can detect strain

A new type of paint made with carbon nanotubes can help detect strain in buildings, bridges, and airplanes. This method provides a big advantage over conventional strain gauges, which must be physically connected to their read-out devices.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 21, 2012

Study shows stagnating life expectancies in US

A new study by Rice University and the University of Colorado at Boulder found that US life expectancy has stagnated over the past century, with the poorest citizens living approximately five years less than more affluent persons. The study also found that despite moderate gains in coming years, the US still trails its developed counte...

SourceRice University·JournalSocial Science Quarterly·DateJun 21, 2012

In nanotube growth, errors are not an option

The study found that iron is the best and quickest catalyst to heal topological defects in nanotubes, which are critical for advanced materials. The researchers determined that healing occurs in a small zone near the catalyst and can happen in a fraction of a millisecond.

SourceRice University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJun 19, 2012

Protein residues kiss, don't tell

Researchers create DCA-fold tool to spot subtle interactions between amino acids in proteins, refining methods for predicting protein form and function. The new method uses genomic sequence information to eliminate possibilities from the range of forms a protein might take.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2012

Researchers work to untangle knots, slipknots in species separated by a billion years of evolution

A new study finds strongly conserved parts of proteins responsible for knotted portions display remarkable similarities among species separated by more than a billion years. Slipknotted proteins, rare but essential for cell membrane stability, are also widely distributed across different families and species.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 11, 2012

Corporate political giving doesn't pay

A new study by Rice University and Long Island University found that corporate political activity is negatively associated with market performance. Firms' political investments also worsen both market and accounting performance.

SourceRice University·JournalStrategic Management Journal·DateJun 11, 2012

'Nanocable' could be big boon for energy storage

Researchers at Rice University have created a tiny coaxial cable that is about a thousand times smaller than a human hair and has higher capacitance than previously reported microcapacitors. The nanocable, made with carbon and copper, could be used to build next-generation energy-storage systems.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2012

Rice research IDs vulnerable bridges

A Rice University study identifies over a dozen Gulf Coast bridges at risk of severe damage in a hurricane with stronger winds than Hurricane Ike. The research helps public safety officials plan emergency responses and identify potential fixes for existing bridges.