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.
These colorful solar panels show renewable energy can look beautiful too
There’s beauty in solar panels in that they capture light from our precious sun and convert it into electricity. With that said, the solar panel itself is not necessarily beautiful. To give solar panels an aesthetic boost, designer Marjan van Aubel has created a set of stained glass-style solar Read More...
Scientists discover 9 new species of insects while working from home
Normally, the scientists from the History Museum of Los Angeles County use complex DNA bar-coding technology to identify species, but with the machine stuck at the office, the museum’s staff have turned to simple microscopes to identify specimens. They’ve been busy at home and have actually Read More...
The many benefits of establishing a national energy grid
Energy is becoming more and more prominent in the way we fuel our lives. Not only does it offer reduced emissions, but it also can be generated by renewables. We have talked a lot about microgrids, which offer localized and reliable power, but another important component of an efficient energy Read More...
Father creates tech that gives any wheelchair smart driving capabilities
Although power wheelchairs are intended to help the disabled get around quickly and safely, users of power wheelchairs often sustain injuries from collisions or tipping over. Of the roughly half of wheelchair users who reported an injury over a three-year period, 87% said it was a tip or fall. Read More...
West Coast states are gearing up to build an electric highway
Imagine driving on a highway where semi-trucks don’t belch dirty diesel fumes because they can rely solely on electric power. Well, that could be the case on the West Coast relatively soon. Recently, utilities and state agencies in California, Oregon, and Washington announced a plan to transform Read More...
New technology enables power plants to “reuse” emissions
Power plants give off vast amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, but a new technology could help curb these devastating effects by harnessing exhaust to generate even more power. According to research published this month in the journal ACS Sustainable Chemical Engineering, the technology is not Read More...
Sloth robot takes role of conservationist to watch over rare species
While typically sloths are not on display at Atlanta’s Botanical Garden, over the next couple of months, the garden’s visitors will be treated to the peculiar sight of a cute, sloth-resembling robot hanging out amongst the trees, watchfully observing the natural environment around it. The Read More...
New tech taps into the movement of tree branches to generate electricity
Inspired by the continuous flows of energy found in nature, a recent project has proved that the natural movement of trees may offer a sustainable alternative to power our cities in the future. The concept, called anemokinetics, is based on the first law of thermodynamics, which states that Read More...
Satellites allow researchers to study connection between fog and vegetation
There is a strong relationship between fog levels and ecological health, but until now, researchers had relied on limited ground data to explore this connection. Now, using satellite imagery, researchers can spot ecological damage from studying fog distribution. Fog is critical for regions Read More...
Lyft pledges to transition its fleet to 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2030
With millions of drivers worldwide, ride-hailing companies have a key role to play in accelerating the transition of our mobility system towards a greener future. With that in mind, Lyft has recently pledged that all of its vehicles will be 100 percent electric by 2030. By working together with Read More...