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.
Researchers have created a solar cell that harvests energy from sunshine and rain
A team of Chinese engineers has turned solar energy’s worst enemy into a friend by developing a hybrid solar cell that can produce electricity from sunshine and rain. To do this, the researchers tapped into the motion of raindrops rolling off the surface of a solar cell using textured layers Read More...
Exxon is working on making algae the fuel of the future
Oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil says that in seven years time, they will be able to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel a day. That may be a small drop in the amount of oil it produces, but it’s a huge boost in the amount of algae-based biofuel. Exxon sees major potential in algae-based fuel as Read More...
The world’s first flying car you can buy is now on sale
The Dutch company PAL-V is now taking orders for the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition, which makes it the world’s first flying car you can actually buy, reports CNBC. The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition is on display at the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland this week. It can hold two Read More...
Egg whites could help power a clean-energy future
Egg whites — they’re not just (a cholesterol-free) breakfast anymore. A Japanese researcher has found a way to use molecules from a protein-based chemical found in egg whites to generate hydrogen more efficiently, putting scientists a step closer to producing hydrogen from water without Read More...
This automated system translates between sign language and English
A Hungarian company has created the world’s first fully automated sign language translation system. The system uses webs cameras and a depth sensor to track the wide range of motions that come with sign language. While you may think signing simply uses hand movements to communicate, the language Read More...
The U.S. just hit a major milestone for energy storage—great news for solar
The United States has now added the capacity to store a billion watts of power for one hour and may double that total in 2018 alone, says a heady new forecast that highlights the rapid growth of the battery Read More...
This is the most powerful wind turbine in the world
Wind energy is on the up and up, and by that, we mean the size of turbines are getting bigger and bigger. Larger wind turbines reach higher in the air where the wind is stronger and produces more energy. This week, GE Renewable Energy announced what it calls the world’s most powerful wind Read More...
Tesla installing world's largest solar rooftop on Nevada gigafactory
Tesla has started building a massive rooftop solar array on top of its Gigafactory 1 (GF1) outside Sparks, Nevada. Once finished, the 70-megawatt system will be the largest in the world by far; the current record-holder is the comparatively shrimpy 11.5-megawatt array in India that can power Read More...
Army of nanorobots successfully strangles cancerous tumors
Nearly 1.7 million new cases of cancer are detected in the United States each year, and each year cancer claims almost 600,000 lives in the U.S. alone, making it the second-leading cause of death nationally. Treatment is sometimes worse than the illness, as invasive surgeries can be traumatic, Read More...
Study: The gun injury rate seems to decline during the NRA annual convention
A recent analysis found that the annual National Rifle Association convention historically coincides with a temporary—and dramatic—drop in gun-related injuries in the US. Strangely enough, when some 80,000 gun owners descend on Dallas for the annual convention, the gun injury rate across the Read More...