The 2026 issue of Rice Engineering and Computing Magazine is here!
This issue explores the ideas, people and partnerships shaping what comes next. Inspired by the momentum behind Vision 2030 — our school’s new strategic plan — this year’s stories highlight how our community is taking on big challenges in health and well-being, sustainability and resilience, and computing and AI. Inside, you’ll find a closer look at the research, collaborations and bold thinking driving Rice Engineering and Computing forward.
IN THE NEWS
“No one should be in a floodway. Floodways are the most dangerous of a danger zone. The science is solid. What we need is reasonable decision making based on the best available science, and we don't have that right now.”
Jim Blackburn, co-director of Rice University's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters Center, on the Camp Mystic floods in Texas.
The Countdown: 5 Stories that excite us
From self-healing roads to vineyard robots and breakthroughs in medicine, these are the engineering stories shaping the future.
Robots Learning the Art of Wine
At the Italian Institute of Technology, a six-armed robot is navigating vineyards, monitoring grapes and helping pollinate plants using AI and soft-touch robotics.
Metal That Refuses to Sink
Engineers at the University of Rochester created floating aluminum that traps air, opening new possibilities for marine infrastructure and resilient systems.
Where the World Comes to Build Robots
Houston continues to host the world’s largest high school robotics championship, transforming downtown into a global hub for future engineers.
A New Path to Healing Paralysis
Northwestern researchers used “dancing molecules” and spinal cord tissue to help nerve cells regrow and reduce scarring in early studies.
Self-Healing Roads Fix Themselves
Engineers at the University of Cambridge are testing asphalt with recycled oil capsules that release when cracks appear, helping roads repair themselves naturally.
