Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
IRENA study says the world can go fully renewable by 2050
Many recent studies have offered optimistic reports about the scalability of renewable energy. The latest, from intergovernmental environmental organization IRENA, shows that the world could run entirely on renewables by 2050. Although IRENA acknowledges that getting the world to 100 percent Read More...
This electric 'urban sled' is a model for zero-emissions parcel delivery
A growing urban challenge created by delivery vans is that, when they stop for deliveries in crowded cities, they tend to block lanes and cause traffic. One way to alleviate this problem is to replace delivery trucks with electric cargo bikes (aka trikes), which can fit on bike lanes and also help Read More...
These indestructible NASA space tires will soon be available for everyone
Getting a flat tire on your bike can make you late, cost money to fix, and is just an overall hassle. Fortunately, flat tires may be a thing of the past as The Smart Tire Company is innovating with NASA's designs to bring their airless titanium tires to the public. The tires are formulated by Read More...
Food waste-based biofuel could help airlines reduce their carbon footprint
Overhauling current air transportation and transitioning to electric motors is essential for shifting the industry towards zero-carbon, but this process will take time and we need a solution now that will make a significant dent in growing greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels could be one immediate Read More...
Smart textiles could influence the future of fashion
Imagine sending and receiving voice messages via your favorite sweater. Or watching a show on a display that is simultaneously the fabric of your trousers. This outlandish idea may actually be part of the future of fashion. Scientists have developed smart textiles that, like other advanced Read More...
This startup is repurposing wastewater one flush at a time
Water conservation is a pillar of environmentalism and critical for protecting the Earth's dwindling fresh water supply. We've featured desalination solutions that are aiding in this effort, but today we're focusing on localized water treatment as a path to water security. Startup Epic Read More...
Scientists make exoskeletons more user-friendly with cameras and AI
While exoskeletons have proved incredibly useful in recent years by enabling people with disabilities to move around more easily, they still have some drawbacks. A research team at the University of Waterloo in Canada is looking to address these issues by integrating smart cameras and AI into the Read More...
NASA uses Navajo language to name rocks and soil on Mars
After successfully landing on the neighboring planet last month, NASA’s Perseverance rover is now ready to explore its ground. Its first scientific focus is a rock named “Máaz” — the Navajo word for “Mars.” That’s just one nickname among many others that have been given to landmarks Read More...
Ryerson University’s new health education tower raises sustainability standard
Toronto’s Ryerson University has reached a new standard for sustainable campus design with its award-winning Daphne Cockwell Health Sciences Complex. The building, designed in the hopes of achieving LEED Gold certification by global design practice Perkins and Will, is a 28-story tower comprised Read More...
NASA is building quiet plane wings to reduce noise pollution at airports
When we think of aircraft noise pollution, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the roar and whine of jet engines that propel the large vehicle through the sky. However, an airplane’s fuselage and wings are also to blame. This is called aerodynamic noise and is the result of the airflow Read More...