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.
Texas has enough sun and wind to quit coal, Rice researchers say
Texas might have the perfect environment to quit coal for good. Texas is one of the only places—potentially in the world—where the natural patterns of wind and sun could produce power around the clock, according to new research from Rice Read More...
City of North Vancouver requires EV charging capability in all new parking spots
This is leadership … almost. Well, sort of. It’s getting there. We’ve been aching for some real, serious, winning leadership on climate and cleantech matters. Not just “aggressive” 2040 targets, and not the procurement of just a few electric buses. We need leadership that pulls the Read More...
Fixing eyesight in the future could become as simple as applying eye drops
Researchers have developed a new kind of eye drop that can successfully fix corneas in pig eyes, and could potentially do the same for people. The eye drops, which the scientists call “nanodrops,” work to correct refractory problems and can help improve both nearsightedness and Read More...
How the electric car revolution will make the gas station a thing of the past
As more electric cars hit the roads, the gas station is set to have an existential crisis. Together with alternative fuels entering the market and people recharging their cars at home, gas pumps are already under enormous pressure to remain relevant. Take a look at the stunning charging points that Read More...
The microgrid is the path to a cleaner, more reliable energy grid
The highly digital world of today needs a greener and more reliable grid capable of providing high-quality power to facilities like hospitals or data centers, where even brief brownouts can cost money or lives. The microgrid is just the thing that could provide that. What makes a microgrid a Read More...
10 stocks that could make you money while helping the environment
Big things usually have small beginnings. That's certainly the case with wind power in the United States. At the turn of the century wind farms contributed a negligible amount of electricity to the grid. But that changed as the technology and economics improved. Wind power's share of American Read More...
Kenya aims to achieve 100 percent green energy transition in just two years
In a quest to help halt global warming, Kenya plans to connect its entire power grid to renewables by 2020. Currently, 70 percent of the nation’s installed electricity capacity comes from renewable energy sources, which is more than three times the global average. The country has achieved such Read More...
How the environment and the public will benefit from virtual power plants
What makes a virtual power plant (VPP) different from a conventional power plant? VPPs don’t burn fuel. They’re not located in a single place. And in some ways, they don’t even really create energy. Using powerful software that can connect far-flung energy sources, VPPs are affordable and Read More...
Norway is embracing an upswing in electric cars with the government’s help
The land of the midnight sun is seeing an admirable upsurge in electric cars on its streets. Some 30 percent of all new cars sport plug-in cables rather than gasoline tanks, compared with 2 percent across Europe overall and 1-2 percent in the US. This follows Norway’s pledge to reduce emissions Read More...
Self-driving, electric transport will eventually be like a public utility
Autonomous and electric transportation will eventually resemble utilities like electricity, gas, or phone service, Morgan Stanley said in a note to clients on Tuesday. That could spell trouble for Tesla, the investment bank said, as it may not retain access to data from the vehicles it builds in Read More...