The Rice WaTER Institute hosted the Water Nexus Conference 2025, bringing together industry, policy, and research experts to discuss integrated approaches for safe and reliable water systems. Key findings include the need for innovative technologies, capital structuring, and operational efficiency to close the growing funding gap in wa...
Researchers used ultraflexible probes to track neurons in the visual cortex of mice for 15 consecutive days, revealing that millisecond rhythms explain how the brain maintains a stable picture of the world. The findings provide new insights for brain-computer interfaces, sensory prostheses and therapies for neurological disease.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a soft but strong metamaterial that can be controlled remotely to rapidly transform its size and shape. The new material is designed for implantable and ingestible medical devices and addresses critical safety concerns such as gastric ulcers and puncture injuries.
Researchers developed computational tools to analyze ecological data, identifying functionally equivalent species across different ecosystems. These tools use optimal transport distances to compare network structures, allowing for large-scale monitoring of ecosystem health and guiding conservation efforts.
Scientists have identified two dozen types of minerals that reveal a dynamic history of volcanic rocks altered by liquid water on Mars. The findings support multiple episodes of habitability, with three distinct categories of minerals indicating different conditions favorable or unfavorable for life.
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a faster and cleaner method for recovering aluminum from bauxite residue, or red mud, by using a brief electrical pulse and chlorine gas. The process, called flash Joule heating, selectively vaporizes toxic metals while retaining almost all the aluminum.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a 'molecular magnifying glass' that allows them to visualize subtle environmental changes in proteins, which can indicate the earliest stages of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer. This tool provides real-time monitoring of protein microenvironment changes in living cells.
Scientists at Rice University and NSF NCAR are developing a new climate model that can track water's unique fingerprints, providing insights into the water cycle and its impact on climate systems. The project aims to better understand how much rain falls, where moisture comes from, and how it travels through the atmosphere and oceans.
Researchers create peptide hydrogel that controls drug release, improving treatment adherence and efficacy for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes. The SABER platform uses reversible chemical bonds to slow down drug release, offering a promising solution for precise delivery.
Tayfun Tezduyar's space-time computational flow analysis enables accurate modeling of complex systems, from designing parachutes for astronauts to simulating blood flow through heart valves. The approach provides high-fidelity representations in both space and time, allowing for more realistic solutions.
A new study from Rice University introduces a novel solar thermal-boosted organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system that can recover 60-80% more electricity annually from waste heat in data centers. The approach achieves over 8% higher ORC efficiency during sunny peak hours and lowers the cost of electricity by 5.5-16.5%.
Rice University computer scientists have developed algorithms that account for malicious noise in quantum states, which can collapse into a single random outcome. The new framework considers nonphysical and potentially malicious factors, delivering optimal results with sufficiently large copies of a quantum state.
Researchers aim to integrate microbial sensing and communication with electronic networks, enabling computing systems constructed from living cells. The project explores the development of smart biosensors capable of identifying chemical signatures and learning through cellular memory.
A new Rice University study finds hormonal contraceptives shape how women experience emotions in the moment and remember emotional events later. Women on hormonal contraceptives showed stronger emotional reactions and remembered fewer details of negative events when using emotion regulation strategies.
The system uses magnetoelectric power-transfer technology to deliver precise electrical stimulation to organs like the heart and spinal cord. The more devices in the network, the more efficient it is, offering a less invasive alternative to traditional implantable medical devices. This technology has potential for treating conditions s...
Researchers at Rice University developed a mathematical model that sheds light on ovarian aging and menopause timing. The study reveals synchronized and predictable patterns of follicle depletion, accelerating during midlife, which helps explain why menopause typically occurs at similar ages for most women.
Angel Martí, David Sarlah, and Haotian Wang have been honored with national American Chemical Society awards for their outstanding work in chemistry. The ACS awards recognize individuals who not only advance the field but also inspire students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in chemical sciences.
Researchers at Rice University have found that bending atomically thin layers of materials like molybdenum ditelluride creates a unique spin texture called persistent spin helix, which preserves spin state even in scattering collisions. This discovery could lead to the development of ultracompact, energy-efficient electronic devices.
A team of materials scientists at Rice University developed a new way to grow ultrathin semiconductors directly onto electronic components using chemical vapor deposition. The breakthrough technique eliminates the fragile manufacturing step, potentially speeding up development of next-generation electronics and computing.
MIST uses a hierarchical, rules-based classification system grounded in verified mineral formulas from the RRUFF mineral database. It accurately identifies hundreds of different mineral species from their chemical composition, even accounting for natural imperfections and vacancies found in real minerals.
A new method called Causal Pivot detects hidden genetic drivers and subgroups patients by true biological causes of their illnesses. The tool paves the way for major advances in personalized genetic medicine by revealing genetic "routes" into diseases.
Researchers have found direct evidence of active flat electronic bands in a kagome superconductor, paving the way for new methods to design quantum materials. The breakthrough could power future electronics and computing technologies.
Rice University geophysicist Richard Gordon has been honored with the Geological Society of America's Woollard Award for his transformative work on global plate motions and plate boundary deformation. He is recognized for shedding light on diffuse oceanic plate boundaries, true polar wander, and standard global plate motion models.
PhyNetPy aims to create a unified framework for phylogenetic networks, enabling widespread use of complex models of evolutionary history. The project seeks to bridge the gap between phylogenetics and population genetics communities.
A new study reveals how Lactococcus lactis regulates the production of a key precursor in vitamin K2 biosynthesis. By tuning substrate supply and genetic architecture, researchers can push production above natural ceilings, opening the door to engineering bacteria for enhanced vitamin K2 production.
Researchers at Rice University have demonstrated a strong form of quantum interference between phonons, revealing record levels of interference. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies in sensing, computing, and molecular detection.
Marcos de Moraes will study the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary roles of bacterial deaminase toxins, which can alter genetic material. He aims to develop tools for genome engineering and biotechnology while creating a lab environment accessible to students with disabilities.
Researchers at Rice University developed a mechanistic model to simulate how oxidants and pollutants move through and react inside catalytic membranes. The framework identifies the ideal range for catalyst loading and introduces new performance metrics to improve membrane design.
Researchers mapped the angular dependence of a high-field superconducting state in UTe2, revealing a toroidal halo surrounding a specific crystalline axis. A theoretical model developed by Andriy Nevidomskyy successfully reproduced the nonmonotonic behavior, attributing it to Cooper pairs carrying intrinsic angular momentum
A low-cost 'SimpleSilo' device mimics commercial silo bags without high cost, using inexpensive materials and easy-to-source supplies. The device demonstrated comparable performance to commercial silo bags and can be assembled by hospital staff in under an hour.
Lydia Kavraki, a pioneering researcher in robotics and AI, has been elected to the European Academy of Sciences. Her work on physical AI, transforming robotics and biomedicine, and leadership at Rice University's Ken Kennedy Institute have earned her this prestigious honor.
Researchers at Rice University have engineered E. coli to act as living multiplexed sensors, detecting multiple environmental toxins simultaneously by converting biological responses into readable electrical signals. The system can detect combined hazards more efficiently and accurately, with potential applications in biocomputing.
Researchers develop predictive framework that connects silicone curing conditions with adhesion strength, enabling dramatic improvements in performance for molded and 3D-printed elastomer components. The 'reaction coordinate' metric allows precise tracking of the degree of curing, even under variable thermal conditions.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new glass coating that forms a thin, tough layer that reflects heat and resists scratches and moisture. The coating improves energy savings by 2.9% compared to existing alternatives, making it a promising solution for cities with cold winters.
Researchers at Rice University found that electrode materials' thermodynamic properties impact energy flow and performance differently. They showed that even with similar structures, some materials degrade faster under identical cycling conditions due to uneven lithium flow.
A new study by researchers from Rice University has uncovered a mechanism by which the identity of nucleotides following a given nucleotide in DNA affects transcription accuracy. The discovery offers insight into hidden factors that influence transcription accuracy and may improve synthetic and therapeutic RNA.
Scientists at Rice University developed a scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials. The dynamic biosynthesis technique aligns bacterial cellulose fibers in real-time, resulting in robust biopolymer sheets with exceptional mechanical properties.
Chihtong Lee's research on retractor blade geometry explores how small design changes can improve patient recovery after spinal surgery. Her work, conducted in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine, showed that blades with soft, biocompatible coatings significantly reduced tissue stress and postoperative complications.
Rice University professor Lei Li has received a NSF CAREER Award to develop wearable medical imaging technology capable of visualizing deep tissue function in real time. The project aims to miniaturize hospital-grade imaging systems into compact, energy-efficient wearables.
Linna An joins Rice University to develop protein-based biosensors for cancer detection, drug monitoring, and personalized diagnostics. Her work focuses on mapping the 'metabolism landscape' of cancer using synthetic proteins.
Researchers aim to replenish the heart's energy reserves by increasing mitochondrial biogenesis, potentially leading to improved recovery rates and longer lives after a heart attack. The project combines synthetic biology tools with animal models and human heart tissue testing.
Researchers at Rice University have conducted the first direct search for ultralight dark matter using a magnetically levitated particle. Despite high sensitivity, they did not find evidence of the anticipated signal, ruling out specific interactions between dark matter and ordinary matter.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new method to align boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in water using a common surfactant, creating ordered liquid crystalline phases. The discovery enables the production of transparent, robust films ideal for thermal management and structural reinforcement applications.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a scalable method to create high-performance single-photon emitters in carbon-doped hexagonal boron nitride, paving the way for practical quantum light sources. The findings overcome long-standing challenges in the field and set a new benchmark for qubit production.
Pernilla Wittung-Stafshede joins Rice University's Department of Chemistry as a professor, bringing expertise in metalloproteins and protein aggregation to enhance cancer research. Her focus is on understanding the role of copper-binding proteins in cancer metastasis and potential future therapies.
Researchers have identified cerium zirconium oxide as a clear, 3D realization of a rare quantum spin liquid, featuring emergent photons and fractionalized spin excitations. This discovery validates decades of theoretical predictions and has significant implications for next-generation technologies.
A team of Rice University students designed an adaptive exercise harness with pneumatic padding, sensors, and modular attachments to address the limitations of current space-based exercise harnesses. The innovative harness aims to slow down muscle atrophy and improve astronauts' performance in space.
Rice University students have developed a cutting-edge wearable haptic wristband that can deliver two distinct forms of tactile feedback. The device aims to make virtual reality more immersive and accessible, and is entirely self-contained with a modular design that makes it easy to repair and integrate into different environments.
The Rice University team created a soft robotic arm capable of performing complex tasks using smart materials, machine learning, and an optical control system. The arm is guided and powered remotely by laser beams without any onboard electronics or wiring.
A Rice University-led research team is working on a new approach to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting the energy-producing mitochondria of cancer cells. By disrupting mitochondrial function, the researchers aim to selectively kill AML cells while leaving healthy blood cells unharmed.