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.
How some Tesla owners are mining bitcoins with free power from charging stations
For all the pros that Bitcoins have, there’s one con that’s particular bad: The fact that Bitcoin mining uses more electricity than all of Ireland. That’s because bitcoin mining utilizes specialized computers to churn through extremely power-intensive computing processes. In order to find Read More...
These origami-inspired robotic muscles can lift 1,000 times their weight
Using simple materials, scientists have built robot “muscles” that can lift 1,000 times their own weight. These muscles are made out of metal or plastic “skeletons” that are covered in either a liquid or air, and then sealed in plastic or fabric “skins,” which are then folded in Read More...
Waymo marks a major self-driving milestone
Waymo's autonomous cars have steadily rolled through test routes in multiple states over the past few years, and now the company claims it has passed a new milestone: 4 million self-driven miles logged on public roads. That makes the Waymo fleet Read More...
This microbot made of algae can swim through your body
While microbots are expected to flow through our bodies to keep them in check by 2030, the prospects for these microbots are still limited by challenges in powering the devices and guiding them through the body. A team of researchers from China may have found a solution to both problems. See here Read More...
Shell to install rapid-charging stations across Europe
Oil-giant Shell is teaming with a Munich-based venture company to start installing charging stations in 10 European nations. The agreement will initially have charging points put in at 80 of Shell’s biggest highway fuel stations, with an average of six posts in each. Best of all, the charging Read More...
Afghanistan to build its first solar plant
The rapidly declining cost of solar equipment has opened new markets in developing countries for the technology. Even in Afghanistan, one of the world’s most underdeveloped countries, plans to build its first solar plant are being made. Considering that the sun shines 300 days a year, solar power Read More...
This Swedish power plant generates energy by burning clothing from H&M
A heat and power station northwest of Stockholm is using an unusual source of fuel to power its operations: Unwanted clothing from the retail chain H&M. The power station was once fueled by oil and coal, but has now been converted to burn materials such as recycled wood and trash, including Read More...
Drones are taking to the sky in Zanzibar to control malaria outbreaks
To get a tight grip on the spread of malaria, researchers in Zanzibar are flying drones to help locate small bodies of water where mosquitos may lay their eggs. The imagery captured by the drone help the researchers create precise and accurate maps of potential mosquito Read More...
MIT researchers develop a new heat storage battery in the laboratory
Sunlight can be used to generate electricity using solar panels but it also can add heat to storage media like water, liquid metals, and molten salts. The problem for scientists is that those phase Read More...
When it comes to price, nuclear power cannot compete with wind farms
Wind farms will be generating electricity at a far cheaper price by the time Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power station currently under construction in the UK, comes online. According to a Germany energy boss, not only does it cost less to construct the wind farms, the cost of producing electricity Read More...