Engineering with Social Responsibility

Rice Engineering's vision is to focus research on social good while redesigning our curricula and student mentoring to emphasize social responsibility.

Preserving Our Environment

Preserving Our Environment

Pioneering work in energy storage, renewable energy, seismic data processing and environmental fluid dynamics with unconventional collaborations across the spectrum of science and humanities.

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Houston skyline during day

Ethical Engineering Practices

Forging strong collaborations across the university, including with Humanities, Social Sciences and the Baker Institute and designing curricula and pursuing research that addresses humanity’s most pressing needs.

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Group of students holding signs

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive learning and working environment that values diversity and fosters equity. Attracting and retaining the most talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and with varying perspectives is vital to our educational experience and research mission.

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"Engineering research and education that emphasize both benefits to humanity and impact on society and the environment—this is our mission."

— Luay Nakhleh
Dean of Engineering

Preserving Our Environment

Heavy-metal-free coal fly ash improves cement strength and flexibility.

Eco-efficient cement could pave the way to a greener future

Rice U. scientists ‘flash’ toxic heavy metals out of fly ash, make stronger concrete

The reactor is made up of a cathode set up to perform oxygen reduction, an oxygen evolution reaction-performing anode and a compact yet porous solid-electrolyte layer that allows efficient ion conduction.

Electrochemical device captures carbon dioxide at the flick of a switch

Disruptive technology could lower carbon-capture costs across all emission types

AI disasters

Rice and Brazil teams tap AI to address flooding, other climate crises

CS and CEE professors receive grant for infrastructure research with colleagues in Brazil

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Rice Engineering’s innovative faculty and students, our university’s outstanding breadth, and our city’s unique challenges and opportunities provide the perfect ingredients for us to capture the urgency of our mission and to accomplish it.

Robotic cup helps wheelchair users stay hydrated

Electrochemical device captures carbon dioxide at the flick of a switch

Ethical Engineering Practices

A coating developed at Rice University made primarily with protein from eggs that would otherwise be wasted can be used to extend the freshness of produce.

Protein-based coating could keep fruits and vegetables fresh longer

Rice U. research aims to help reduce economic, environmental waste

David Messmer, Vicente Ordóñez Roman, and Rodrigo Ferreira

Rice faculty share three perspectives of ChatGPT

Conversational AI text concerns addressed by professors in Computer Science and Communication

Our Research Focus Areas


Rice Engineering’s three pillars of transformational research – Health and Well-being, Resilient and Adaptive Communities, Energy and Sustainability – are built on the foundations of future computing and advanced materials. Our research focus areas leverage our unique strengths and culture to solve local and global challenges equitably and responsibly.

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Rice Engineering launches DEI Outreach Center

School-wide center devoted to current and new diversity and inclusion initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and support.

Rice leaders reaffirm commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

President Reginald DesRoches, Provost Amy Dittmar and Vice Provost for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alex Byrd shared the following message

Rice U. hosts international women’s STEM research program

Japanese and Taiwanese students intern at Rice science and engineering labs

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