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.
Alphabet works on energy storage system based on salt
Alphabet, Google’s mother company, works on a new storage system for renewable energy that would be better than lithium-ion batteries that require rare earth metals and is thus not entirely sustainable. The Alphabet system involves vats of salt and antifreeze. It can be located almost anywhere, Read More...
Will you need a driving license in the age of self-driving cars?
Driverless vehicles may seem unfamiliar now, but over the coming years you'll start to encounter - or even use them - on a daily basis. Will it mean the end of the driving licence and changes to the rules of the road? It's not uncommon to see a squat white droid trundling along the streets of Read More...
This city’s subway system will soon run mostly on renewable energy
This city’s sleek, European-made subway cars, riding on rubber tires that barely make a noise on the steel rails, carry 2.4 million passengers a day during the week in a metro system considered South America’s most modern. Now it has another distinction: It is about to become one of the Read More...
How electric vehicles could take a bite out of the oil market
When will cars powered by gas-guzzling internal combustion engines become obsolete? Not as soon as it seems, even with the latest automotive news out of Europe. First, Volvo announced it would begin to phase out the production of cars that run solely on gasoline or diesel by 2019 by only releasing Read More...
Shell sees the end of oil and CEO’s next car will be electric
The CEO of Royal Dutch Shell last week delivered the clearest indication yet that the electric car revolution is hastening the decline of global oil demand and that clean renewable energy is taking over. “When that will be is not certain. But that it will happen, we are certain,” he told Read More...
3D metal printing is taking off and it will revolutionize manufacturing
It’s hard to underestimate the impact 3D printing will have on manufacturing. For more than a century, making things meant building factories. And different things often meant different factories. 3D printing will change that and one company is making a huge step with a fully-automated, Read More...
Global funding for battery storage, smart grids tops $1 billion first half 2017
The total global funding raised during the first half of the year for the battery storage, smart grid, and energy efficiency sectors topped $1 billion, a 25% increase over the same time a year ago, according to new figures published by Mercom Capital. Mercom Capital Group, a global clean energy Read More...
World's first autonomous, all-electric cargo ship to launch next year
The world’s first crewless, autonomously operated ship is set to sail in late 2018. The Norwegian-built Yara Birkeland is being dubbed the “Tesla of the Seas” because the vessel is fully electric. The $25 million ship will initially start out as a manned vessel, moving to Read More...
Tesla Model 3 is more than an electric car―it’s a landmark in automotive history
The air is electric in Fremont, California, where a lucky few gather to witness a momentous moment. Thirty employees rub their hands together in glee, awaiting their prize after months of waiting. Elsewhere around the world, the faithful—the 350,000-odd people who threw down a $1,000 Read More...
Simusolar and Sculpteo use 3D printing to bring solar energy to Tanzania
Between three countries – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania – is Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa. On its shores, the people of Tanzania depend on the fish that come from its waters. Not long ago, fishermen would go out at night with oil lamps burning to fish in the coolest part of Read More...