Rice University Archives – The Green Optimistic

Superconductivity Could Be Reinvented

Arsenij Percov — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:28:13 +0000

Rice University scientists conducted a study on superconductivity. Physicists Pengcheng Dai and Andriy Nevidimoskyy, with some of their colleagues, used simulations and neutron scattering experiments that show that the atomic structure of materials to reveal tiny distortions of the crystal lattice in a so-called iron pnictide compound of sodium, iron, nickel, and arsenic.

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Algae Biofuel Production Could Soon Be Viable, Rice Scientists Suggest

Sarah Higman — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 13:59:42 +0000

Love the idea of a green car? Soon we could be using truly green biofuel from oil-rich algae. Researchers at Rice University have found a neat way to solve a number of environmental issues in one fell swoop. Nutrient Overload One of the most expensive environmental issues in the US is nutrient pollution in waterways particularly […]

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New Rice University Sensor Sniffs Greenhouse Gases

Danny Harper — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 07:11:26 +0000

A particularly difficult argument to have with those who do not have a background in environmental topics is one that involves the actual effects of greenhouse gases. You can drone on all day about the science and math involved, but without direct visual evidence, it is sometimes difficult to convince others. In general, we simply do not know […]

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Graphene-Boron Compound Could Revolutionize Lithium-Ion Battery Capacity

Benji Jerew — Tue, 28 May 2013 17:14:30 +0000

Researchers have touted graphene as a game-changing material that could boost the power and energy capacity of a lithium-ion battery. Graphene, a film of carbon atoms just one atom thick, is an excellent conductor of electricity. In a battery, the massive surface area of such carbon sheets could be a boon to increasing the power […]

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Spray-On Batteries: A Breakthrough in Battery Design and Integration

Mike Sandru — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:04:12 +0000

Researchers have recently reported the development of a spray-on lithium ion battery that can be painted on various surfaces, effectively converting any object into a possible energy storage device. The implications of this technology in solar energy applications are staggering as we imagine buildings and massive infrastructures doubling as solar batteries. It would mean an […]

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New Graphite-Coated "Super Sand" Filters Water Much More Efficiently

Ovidiu Sandru — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:26:48 +0000

With much of the world still lacking access to safe drinking water, the need for more efficient filtration systems is higher than ever. Wei Gao, from Rice University in Texas, has however invented a graphite-coated type of sand that is cheap to produce and much more effective at filtering water.

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Glycerin Can Finally Be Used in The Biofuel Production Process

Cristi — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:54:22 +0000

Glycerin is the most important component in many of the products we use, from soap to cosmetics, foods and pharmaceuticals. We even use it for biofuel production, algae growth and fuel cells. But it seems that in this moment glycerin really represents an issue as the large quantity developed by biofuel refineries cannot be assimilated by the market. The excess glycerin is incinerated on the market or illegally disposed.

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Bulk Fluid-Processed Carbon Nanotubes Could Make Better Power Lines

Mike Sandru — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:00:26 +0000

Scientists at Rice University have developed a new method for producing carbon nanotubes in bulk fluids. It could lead to revolutionary advances in nanoelectronics, materials science and power distribution.

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