Rice University, based in Houston, has signed a master research agreement with ExxonMobil, marking a new phase in cooperation between academia and the energy industry. This collaboration aims to develop technological solutions in the areas of sustainable energy, water treatment and resource management, leveraging Rice’s interdisciplinary expertise and ExxonMobil’s industrial capabilities.
A first project focused on hydrocarbon-derived water recovery
The first project under this agreement is currently underway. It is led by Qilin Li, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Rice and co-director of the Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment (NEWT Center). This project targets the treatment of produced water from oil and gas operations using electrochemical advanced oxidation processes. These processes aim to remove volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and ammonia-nitrogen, frequently found in such effluents.
The technologies being developed could enable the safe and productive reuse of this water in sectors such as agriculture, industrial applications or wildlife. In parallel, ammonia recovery and hydrogen production are also being explored within the project’s scope.
An innovation strategy shaped by the challenges of energy transition
The agreement aligns with Rice University’s strategy to strengthen its role in energy sustainability research. The institution draws on its expertise in materials science, catalysts, polymers, high-performance computing and applied mathematics to design system-scale integrated solutions. This approach complements ExxonMobil’s industrial experience in energy engineering.
Mike Zamora, President of ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company, noted that the partnership relies on the company’s commitment to science and technology to meet growing global energy demand.
Long-term development prospects
Further projects are expected under the agreement in the coming months and years, according to university representatives. The stated objective is to enhance Rice’s contribution to sustainability research while fostering a collaborative environment for innovation between academic and industrial stakeholders.
Ramamoorthy Ramesh, Executive Vice President for Research at Rice, stated that the agreement enables the mobilisation of diverse expertise to address key challenges in water, energy and resources through integrated systems approaches.
