Researchers at Rice University have successfully created continuous fibers of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes using a new processing method involving superacids. This breakthrough enables the industrial production of pure carbon nanotube threads, cables, and sheets, with potential applications in materials science and aerospace.
A recent catastrophic landslide on Kilauea has created a debris buffer that stabilizes the Hilina slump, reducing the likelihood of future collapse. The buffer was formed when a detached piece of the mountain slid away and settled beneath the ocean, creating a broad, bench-like structure.
Researchers detected physical changes in faults using seismic data from the Parkfield experiment. The study provided evidence for structural changes in fault zones that can be viewed with active seismic monitoring systems.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new technology that uses disordered nanowires and organic molecules to create functional memory devices. These 'NanoCells' can store information for more than a week without refreshment, far longer than traditional DRAM.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a quantum model to predict nanophotonic behavior, making it easier to design new optical materials and devices. The study shows that plasmons in nanoparticles hybridize with each other, allowing for the prediction of properties in complex metallic nanostructures.
Researchers will use single-celled social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum to uncover genes and molecular pathways underlying sociality. The project aims to understand how social forces create evolutionary pressures and control opportunistic behavior.
Rice wins nine NSF ITR grants, including a $15m award for Virtual Grid Application Development Software. The university also leads the 100 X 100 Project to develop 100-megabit-per-second Internet access nationwide.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to sort single-walled carbon nanotubes based on their electronic properties. This allows for the separation of metallic and non-metallic nanotubes, which could lead to significant advances in molecular electronics and device development.
Biologists at Rice University are investigating the genetic and environmental factors behind Chinese tallow trees' success in Texas. The research aims to understand how the trees' low defenses against insects contribute to their rapid growth and success as an invasive species.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the behavior of materials at quantum critical points, a stage where materials change phases. The new classification system has shed light on the relationship between quantum criticality and high-temperature superconductivity.
A panel study will be conducted with 2,500 individuals across the nation, followed by interviews every three years until they reach age 65. The study aims to explore how religion and ethnicity shape social change and community development in the US.
Scientists at Rice University have created a new test that can detect glycoprotein immunoglobulin G in whole blood with high sensitivity and speed. The innovation uses gold nanoshells to overcome challenges in existing immunoassays, enabling doctors to make quicker diagnoses without the need for time-consuming sample preparation.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new chemical process, pyrolytic fluorination, that yields short carbon nanotubes with predictable lengths. The technique involves attaching fluorine atoms to the nanotubes and then heating them to cut the tubes into segments ranging from 20-300 nanometers.
Researchers at Rice University developed fluoronanotubes with unique chemical properties, allowing for easier manipulation and dispersal in various materials. This breakthrough enables the creation of new materials and applications, including advanced composites, sensor technology, and molecular electronics.
Dr. Halas' nanoshell technology has the potential to revolutionize breast cancer detection and treatment by providing earlier diagnosis, increased imaging resolution, and real-time information about tumor cells. This innovative approach uses near infrared light to target and destroy tumors without harming healthy tissue.
Scientists at Rice University and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray crystallography to capture the rapid structural changes of a protein. The research aimed to improve protein engineering for blood substitutes and genetic diseases, yielding valuable insights into protein dynamics.
A study by Kevin Arceneaux found that people facing economic adversity are more likely to vote when they blame the government for economic outcomes. The opposition party must convince voters that the current administration is at fault during times of economic hardship.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to probe dynamic interactions between smallest atomic particles, enabling studies of individual electron dynamics and quantum phenomena. The breakthrough is crucial for developing quantum computers, which could solve complex calculations in seconds.
Researchers discovered a 100-fold increase in meteorite activity after an ancient asteroid breakup, revealing a 'lithographic time capsule' of fossilized meteorites. The study found matching concentrations of extraterrestrial chromite grains across five quarries in southern Sweden.
A Rice University study found that diesel engines are the primary contributors of fine particles to Houston's air, followed by gasoline-powered vehicles and road dust. The researchers also discovered that fuel oil combustion from industrial plants produced significant amounts of particulate matter.
Researchers create vancomycin conjugates with buckyballs, which can target specific bacterial antigens and potentially treat resistant strains. The conjugates could also be used to prevent anthrax spores from germinating, offering a new defense against bioterrorism.
Rice University researchers aim to develop new, noninvasive treatment options for damaged cartilage by using patient's own bone marrow cells to grow more cartilage. The goal is to create a biodegradable scaffold that promotes cartilage formation and avoids problems associated with current therapies like allografting.
Researchers at Rice University are working on growing replacement cartilage for the meniscus, a kidney-shaped wedge of cartilage that cushions stress in the knee joint. By developing methods to simulate mechanical conditions and grow tissue in precise shapes, they aim to create more effective treatments for osteoarthritis.
The collaboration between Rice University and IBM aims to improve the understanding of carbon nanotubes' mechanical, structural, and electronic properties. By utilizing the powerful CBEN supercomputer, researchers can tackle complex quantum mysteries and develop new algorithms for theoretical molecular science.
Rice University scientists develop a nanosensor that can precisely analyze chemical information, opening doors for new methods to examine single molecules. The technology has widespread applications in environmental science, chemistry and biosensing, with potential early detection of cancer.
Researchers at Rice University have precisely identified the optical signatures of 33 'species' of light-emitting carbon nanotubes, revolutionizing the field of nanotechnology. This breakthrough enables chemists to measure nanotubes using simple and faster methods, accelerating research in this rapidly evolving field.
The Rice Connexions program is expanding its offerings with new software tools and partnerships, making high-quality educational content freely available worldwide. The project aims to empower diverse cultural communities and break down barriers between academic disciplines through a collaborative approach to teaching materials.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to create a porous, 3D bony matrix similar to natural bone. The method uses flowing fluids to provide mechanical stimulation, resulting in thicker and more developed mineralized bone compared to static samples.
The study tracked the movement of individual cancer cells in real-time using computer automation. The research revealed similarities between breast and skin cancer strains, including oscillation and burrowing into tissue.
Scientists have unraveled the mystery of membrane fusion, a process crucial for gene therapy and drug delivery. By analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns, researchers revealed that membrane fusion begins with an hourglass-shaped structure called a stalk.
Rice Terascale Cluster will be the first university computer in Texas with a peak performance of 1 teraflop, enabling complex mathematical simulations for drug designers and biomedical researchers. The cluster will tackle increasingly complex problems in fields like bioinformatics, physics, and computer science.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered that carbon nanotubes can fluoresce in the near-infrared spectrum, which could lead to the development of inexpensive and simple diagnostic tests for diseases. This technology has the potential to target specific targets within the body, such as tumor cells or inflamed tissues.
Researchers create atomic soliton trains with up to 15 bundles of waves that maintain a constant shape as they propagate without spreading. The techniques developed could lead to extremely precise measurements and new forms of atom lasers.
Researchers propose that social insects like ants, bees, and wasps provide a unique opportunity to study genetic imprinting. This process involves the labeling of genes by mothers and fathers before passing them on to their offspring, leading to conflicts between maternal and paternal genes.
Rice chemists create polyfullerenes by joining C-60 molecules in polymer chains and planes, making them more stable than organic polymers. Fluorination of these polyfullerenes enables the creation of dozens of 'designer' nanotube derivatives with various side chains, making them soluble in traditional organic solvents.
Geologists at Rice University have located the intersection of the Nubian, Somalian and Antarctic plates within a 100-kilometer-wide region known as the Andrew Bain Fracture Zone Complex. The research provides new insights into the relationship between African plates, including the tectonic processes that created the East African Rift.
The Chinese tallow tree is outcompeting native species in Texas prairies due to its ability to grow quickly and use nitrogen inefficiently. Researchers are studying methods to control the spread of the invasive tree using techniques such as fire, flooding, and fertilization.
Rice University researchers have developed a new technique to calculate the distance of gamma-ray bursts, enabling scientists to learn more about the early universe's formation and evolution. The method uses changes in color to determine the cooling rate of high-energy pulses in these cosmic events.
Physicists at Rice University have discovered a new class of critical point that marks a substantial advance in the study of phase transitions. They found that under suitable conditions, quantum critical metals contain 'critical local excitations' with very low energy, which could be applicable to a range of strongly correlated metals.
The Rice center will focus on the interaction between nanometer-sized materials and water, aiming to develop new medical therapies and solve environmental engineering problems. The center will also provide educational and industrial outreach activities, including training teachers and supporting startup ventures.
Researchers at Rice University have created a reversible molecular computer switch, which can represent ones and zeros in digital computing. The switch is made of molecules that are one million times smaller than traditional silicon-based transistors, promising continued minitaturization and increased computing power.
A team of researchers is using seismic equipment to map the Earth's structure beneath the Rocky Mountains, aiming to understand how ancient land masses collided to form the continent. By analyzing density and material properties of rocks, they hope to visualize the structure of what lies far under the Earth's surface.
Rice University researchers develop fullerenes that can be cleared from the body and specifically targeted to bone tissue. The findings have promise for medical applications such as nuclear medicine and drug delivery.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center have tracked the path that a polymer-DNA complex takes through a cell to its nucleus, where the new DNA can be read. This study improved our understanding of gene delivery and provided new knowledge for designing better nonviral carriers.
Researchers at Rice University are developing chameleon-like nanoshells with tailored optical properties to enhance devices and materials. These nanoshells can manipulate different types of light and have potential applications in energy conservation, construction materials, and biomedicine.
Researchers have discovered motion along the southern portion of the boundary between the west African (Nubian) and east African (Somalian) plates. The finding helps geologists understand how the East African rift fits into plate tectonics, improving global models for predicting India-Eurasia collision.
The President's Information Technology Advisory Committee recommends increasing funding for long-term research programs and computing infrastructures. The committee highlights four areas deserving of increased research funding, including software development and high-end computing.
A major geomagnetic storm, the strongest in recent years, is affecting communication and navigation satellites due to an intense solar flare. The storm's speed was twice normal, causing unusual penetration of electrons into the Earth's magnetosphere.
The Advanced Applied Technology Demonstration Facility has developed innovative technologies for hazardous waste cleanup, addressing difficult subsurface and ground water contamination problems. The partnership between government, industry, and academia has led to the creation of engineering design manuals and commercialization summaries.
Researchers at Rice University have developed metal nanoshells, particles that can absorb or scatter light at virtually any wavelength, enabling new applications in energy-efficient paints and windows, solar collection materials, and chemical sensors. The team has also shown promise in extending their range to the far infrared.