Rice University and nanoAlberta join forces

Researchers in two of North America's biggest oil patches are joining forces to use nanoscale technologies to reduce the polluting effects of Alberta's oilsands production. Rice Univ's Richard E Smalley Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology and nanoAlberta have signed an MOU to collaborate in various areas relating to oilsands production. The US is the biggest market for Alberta-produced oil and the partnership may be expanded to include applications for healthcare. The Rice-nanoAlberta collaboration is the result of several missions to Texas by Alberta premier Ed Stelmach in 2008 and 2009. Stelmach addressed students at Rice Univ and energy executives at the Jesse H Jones Graduate School of Business earlier this year stressing the importance of using S&T to ensure a cleaner environment ….