Dateline Rice for Nov. 20, 2012

FEATURED

From icy water to steam via nanoparticles
Rice University scientists have unveiled a revolutionary new technology that uses nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam. The new “solar steam” method from Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics is so effective it can even produce steam from icy cold water. Naomi Halas, the Stanley C. Moore Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering, director of Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics and professor of physics and astronomy, chemistry and biomedical engineering, and graduate student Oara Neumann are quoted.
Futurity
http://bit.ly/TchWV2
Nanoparticles covert solar energy into steam at Rice University
Green Optimistic
http://bit.ly/RRmwH0
Rice unveils super-efficient solar-energy technology
Water Online
http://bit.ly/106wKYp
New ‘super-efficient’ nano-photonic solar technology unveiled by Rice University scientists
International Business Times
http://bit.ly/WtTTUT
Making steam without water, thanks to nanoparticles
The Independent
http://ind.pn/XYyUcZ
Sun to steam: Rice uses nanoparticles to generate heat
EcoSeed.org
http://bit.ly/TOiP2q
Harnessing power of the sun to produce steam
Red Orbit
http://bit.ly/102HDdK
‘Solar steam’ generator outshines photovoltaic solar cells
Science A Go Go
http://bit.ly/TcHjpF
Solar power for sterilization?
Scranton Times Tribune
http://bit.ly/RRmIWC

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

A skyline all their own
Chinese architect and alumnus Li Hu ’98 discusses Chinese architecture.
China Daily
http://bit.ly/Ud8nGc

Combating diseases of poverty requires joint US-Middle East effort
Peter Hotez, the fellow in disease and poverty at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, authored this op-ed on profound poverty promoting both conflict and disease.
GlobalPost.com
http://bit.ly/XViFgP

BROADCAST

KIII-TV (Corpus Christi)
Steve Murdock, the Allyn and Gladys Cline Professor of Sociology and a former director of the U.S. Census Bureau, will be the keynote speaker at the Corpus Christi Chamber Awards luncheon in Corpus Christi Dec. 6.
http://tinyurl.com/clryppu

Deutschlandradio Kultur
Moshe Vardi, the Karen Ostrum George Distinguished Service Professor of Computational Engineering and professor of computer science, is quoted in this German radio report on artificial intelligence and related ethical questions. An English translation is not available.
http://bit.ly/PZrcvR

HOUSTON/TEXAS

Texas’ cancer-fighting agency loses another high-ranking official
Jerald “Jerry” Cobbs has resigned as chief commercialization officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Rice is mentioned.
Dallas Morning News
http://dallasne.ws/Q8mKez

TRADE/PROFESSIONAL

Eclipse turns into sea’s biggest show
Patricia Reiff, professor of physics and astronomy, is quoted in an article about the recent solar eclipse.
NBC’s Cosmic Blog
http://nbcnews.to/SU4Kla

Rice researchers stumble upon lava dot nanoparticles
Serendipity proved to be a key ingredient for the latest nanoparticles discovered at Rice University. The new “lava dot” particles were discovered accidentally when researchers stumbled upon a way of using molten droplets of metal salt to make hollow, coated versions of a nanotech staple called quantum dots. Michael Wong, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted. Rice graduate student Sravani Gullapalli is mentioned.
Azonano.com
http://bit.ly/WtUlT3
Lava dots: Hollow, soft-shelled quantum dots created
Science Daily (This article also appeared in the Toronto Telegraph and PHSY.org.)
http://bit.ly/RPSZNL

Bullet-proof clothing — A paper-thin material to stop bullets
Researchers are firing microscale ammo in an effort to identify materials that can offer better protection to soldiers, aircraft and satellites. Ned Thomas, the William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering, professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and of chemical and biomolecular engineering, is quoted.
Investment Watch Blog
http://bit.ly/RRmXkG

SPORTS

Rice University refutes Oregon’s ‘meritless allegations of discrimination’ against Arsalan Kazemi
Former Rice student-athlete Arsalan Kazemi has been granted a waiver to play basketball this season at the University of Oregon. Some of the articles quote a statement from Rice explaining why Rice opposed the waiver.
Daily Emerald
http://bit.ly/QW5CtF
Rice alleges Oregon used false claims to get Arsalan Kazemi eligible
Register Guard
http://bit.ly/TNsGFG

Berkman says Sox have shown interest
Outfielder/first baseman Lance Berkman has joined the Rice University baseball staff as a volunteer assistant.
ESPN
http://es.pn/Ud8Ecf
Boston Red Sox among four teams interested in Lance Berkman
MassLive.com
http://bit.ly/T8uo5Q
Free agent Berkman awaits a contract offer
WMUR.com (This article appeared in five other publications.)
http://bit.ly/UGm3FN
Lance Berkman: Why Berkman would be a bad signing for the Philadelphia Phillies
Bleacher Report
http://bit.ly/Ufd0Oc
Berkman: Red Sox, Rays, Phillies and Astros interested
Chron.com
http://bit.ly/UPUxGb

NEWS RELEASES

Lava dots: Rice makes hollow, soft-shelled quantum dots
Serendipity proved to be a key ingredient for the latest nanoparticles discovered at Rice University. The new “lava dot” particles were discovered accidentally when researchers stumbled upon a way to use molten droplets of metal salt to make hollow, coated versions of a nanotech staple called quantum dots. The results appear online this week in the journal Nanotechnology.
http://bit.ly/UD9CdN

Rice unveils super-efficient solar-energy technology
Rice University scientists have unveiled a revolutionary new technology that uses nanoparticles to convert solar energy directly into steam. The new “solar steam” method from Rice’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics is so effective it can even produce steam from icy cold water. Details of the solar steam method were published online in ACS Nano. The technology’s inventors said they expect it will first be used in sanitation and water-purification applications in the developing world.
http://bit.ly/Uautcl