Rice University Materials Science and Nanoengineering

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Rice University Materials Science and Nanoengineering Excellence in education and research is the guiding principle for the Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering.

We are dedicated to expanding the boundaries of our knowledge and producing the materials scientists and engineers of the future. Materials science at Rice has a history of discovery and innovation, going back to the discovery of the spherical fullerene, or buckyball, in 1985. That discovery earned the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for Rick Smalley, Bob Curl and Harold Kroto in 1996.

Yesterday, we were honored to welcome Avetik Harutyunyan from the Honda Research Institute to the Rice MSNE seminar seri...
10/02/2026

Yesterday, we were honored to welcome Avetik Harutyunyan from the Honda Research Institute to the Rice MSNE seminar series.

He shared valuable research insights, exploring the growth and properties of one-dimensional materials from catalysts to quantum devices.

We look forward to welcoming Avetik R. Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist from the Honda Research Institute, to our nex...
09/29/2026

We look forward to welcoming Avetik R. Harutyunyan, Senior Chief Scientist from the Honda Research Institute, to our next MSNE Seminar.

Join us October 1 to hear insights on one-dimensional materials and emerging quantum applications. https://ow.ly/pL4t50ZSI8N

💡“From Catalysts to Quantum Devices: Growth and Properties of (Quasi-) One-Dimensional Materials”
🗓️ October 1
⏰ 3 PM
📍O'Connor 132

A Rice University materials discovery could redefine next-generation microchip encryption.Security systems become vulner...
09/28/2026

A Rice University materials discovery could redefine next-generation microchip encryption.

Security systems become vulnerable to hacking if the random numbers driving encryption are generated too slowly.

The solution: Autferroic nanomaterials, a new materials class that protects everyday data while bringing quantumlike computing to standard microchips.

Boris Yakobson, Karl F. Hasselmann Professor in Engineering, and Jun-Jie Zhang, postdoctoral research associate in materials science and nanoengineering, discovered the new materials class, in collaboration with Shuai D**g, chair of the School of Physics at Southeast University in China. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/rice-physicists-define-new-material-blueprint-next-generation-microchip-encryption

09/28/2026

Postdoc Feud 🕹️🎯🎲

Materials postdocs closed out Postdoc Appreciation Week with a game show testing their wit, teamwork and competitive spirit. 😅

A little friendly competition to wrap up Postdoc Appreciation Week! 🧪🏆

🚀🌙 What can you do with a degree in materials science, and how do you get there?Earlier this week, we welcomed Thomas Ac...
09/17/2026

🚀🌙 What can you do with a degree in materials science, and how do you get there?

Earlier this week, we welcomed Thomas Ackerson from Blue Origin, who shared insights on navigating a career in materials science.

From powering rockets to harnessing space resources, materials scientists are paving the way for deeper space exploration to benefit humanity.

We are excited to host the inaugural Texas Materials Consortium this week at Rice University.This gathering will bring t...
09/16/2026

We are excited to host the inaugural Texas Materials Consortium this week at Rice University.

This gathering will bring together faculty, students, and academic leaders from materials science and engineering programs across Texas to learn more about one another’s programs. The day will provide opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore how our institutions can collaborate more effectively to shape the future of materials science and engineering across the state.

We look forward to welcoming our colleagues and students and beginning a statewide conversation that can lead to lasting partnerships and new opportunities. https://msne.rice.edu/texas-materials-consortium-2026

Rice materials scientists are helping art come to life at Houston's Menil Collection. Researchers Robert Vajtai and Gaut...
09/16/2026

Rice materials scientists are helping art come to life at Houston's Menil Collection.

Researchers Robert Vajtai and Gautam Chandrasekhar partnered with artist Jitish Kallat to create an installation, “Wall Drawing/Redux A119.” In this installation, pages from a once-classified U.S. government document appear and fade from view on glass walls in the museum.

Vajtai and Chandrasekhar brought expertise in electrochromic materials to vary the transparency of glass, engineering Kallat's artistic vision. It will be on view through Aug. 8, 2027, at the Menil Drawing Institute. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/rice-materials-science-brings-hidden-history-view-menil-collection

We were delighted to welcome our MSNE graduate students back with a department luncheon last week!During the gathering, ...
09/14/2026

We were delighted to welcome our MSNE graduate students back with a department luncheon last week!

During the gathering, we shared several initiatives planned for the academic year and discussed the department’s ongoing efforts to create new opportunities and strengthen support for our students. Our students also had the opportunity to meet our faculty and connect with one another as we begin another exciting year of research, learning, and collaboration.

We look forward to all that our students and faculty will accomplish together this year!

A new 3D platform sheds light on how nerves form protective coating.A Rice University team, including Rice materials sci...
09/02/2026

A new 3D platform sheds light on how nerves form protective coating.

A Rice University team, including Rice materials scientist Christina Tringides, joined collaborators from ETH Zurich to develop hydroMEA: a new platform to grow human-derived nerve cells with Schwann cells, which form a protective coating called myelin around nerve fibers.

Insights from this study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, could lead to greater understanding of how nerve damage happens and expand treatment options. https://ow.ly/twiO50ZIofv

The future of magnets could be powered by AI. 🧲Rice University materials scientist Geoffroy Hautier has joined a United ...
09/02/2026

The future of magnets could be powered by AI. 🧲

Rice University materials scientist Geoffroy Hautier has joined a United States Department of Energy (DOE)-backed project to search for materials for next-generation permanent magnets, which are essential for electronics, energy and transportation. His research team will use AI, atomistic modeling and high-throughput computing to identify promising magnetic materials for testing.

New materials identified in this $2.9 million ARPA-E project could lead to more efficient technologies and stronger domestic manufacturing.

The coalition led by the University of Houston includes researchers from Rice, Colorado State University, Carrier Global, and Houston startup Newfound Materials. https://news.rice.edu/news/2026/rice-brings-ai-expertise-doe-backed-search-next-generation-magnets

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