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.
Toyota is offering royalty-free access to 24,000 patents related to EVs
In a move rarely seen by major corporations, Toyota has announced it will allow royalty-free access to its nearly 24,000 patents for hybrid and other vehicles using electrification technology in a bid to expand competition in the market as the industry adopts stricter emissions regulations. Read More...
Scientists developed a solvent that extracts precious metals from old batteries
Considering the tendency of people to buy a new phone every couple of years, it’s no wonder there are so many leftover batteries from old cellphones. These batteries are toxic when they end up in landfills, and typically require harsh processes to recycle. Scientists at Rice University have been Read More...
Volkswagen’s electric self-driving cars are hitting the streets of Hamburg
Anyone who truly cares about the environment probably shudders a little at the mention of Volkswagen. Nonetheless, Volkswagen has a goal of making automated driving a practical reality by 2025, and is hustling to make that happen. The German Automaker is now testing self-driving versions of its Read More...
These US cities are overcoming barriers to clean energy with creative solutions
In the face of inadequate federal action on climate change, cities across the United States are taking matters into their own hands to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decarbonize local energy systems. But city staff face many hurdles when attempting to transition to renewable energy quickly, so Read More...
Norway sets record as it sells more electric vehicles than gas and diesel ones
The EV revolution is blossoming and Norway is here to prove it. In a symbolic first, electric cars outsold fossil fuel-powered ones in the Scandinavian country last month. The country set a record in March when 58.4 percent of new cars sold in the country were battery-powered. To achieve such Read More...
A battery-swapping scheme is electrifying rickshaws in India
In India, where fewer than four million cars are sold annually, auto rickshaws (called tuk-tuks in other Asian countries) are one of the dominant modes of transportation. As India attempts to clean up the country’s troublesome air pollution, some manufacturers are now, for the first time, Read More...
These scientists are using seaweed extract to make human-like tissue
Throughout history, cultures around the globe have enjoyed the nutritional and medical merits of seaweed. In more modern times, these macroalgal plants’ diverse ecological properties have captured scientists’ attention. What makes seaweed so special is that it has special fibers made of Read More...
Better battery storage is helping make renewables cheaper than natural gas
Renewables are increasingly becoming more attractive as their costs continue to drop at a stunning pace. Solar and wind plants are now not only significantly cheaper than coal power, as a new report revealed last week, but they're also putting natural gas to shame. New research shows that the cost Read More...
The way utilities earn money is all wrong. New York City is out to change that
Isn’t it strange that your energy bills keep rising even though the quality of our energy infrastructure is not improving? Yes, it is, especially considering that a staggering $55 billion is invested annually into electric utilities a year. The problem is that money is flowing to old-school Read More...
Norway’s oil and gas giant is betting big on energy storage technology
The rise of cheap renewable energy is starting to upend the bottom lines of fossil-fuel companies all over the world. Initially, that was why so many of them instinctively fought the newfangled technologies. Increasingly, it’s why many of them are shifting strategy, hustling to try to profitably Read More...