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.
The role your car plays in democratizing the energy grid
Not only do microgrids have the potential to reformat the way people get their energy, they may also change the way the energy itself is distributed. Since power in these microgrids is decentralized, they’re conducive to distribution methods that ensure power is spread evenly throughout Read More...
Can empathy be learned? Science offers some clues
The mass shooting in Las Vegas has become yet another example of human capacity for evil. Almost immediately, people cried for gun control, greater checks on assault weapons, and measures to increase hotel Read More...
Wave-powered water pumps could become a new source of clean energy
It's September, and a small group of researchers in a pair of fishing vessels are sailing in some of the highest ice-free waves in the North Atlantic. Here, some 1,600 feet off the coast of Newfoundland, they are anchoring a 10-foot-wide (three-meter) Read More...
Transparent solar technology could harvest a massive source of untapped energy
Whereas most solar panel systems take up lots of space, see-through solar materials that can be applied to windows represent a way to harvest sunlight without needing more land. Scientists also argue that transparent solar panels could harvest as much power as bigger, bulkier rooftop solar panels. Read More...
Wooden windmills could make wind energy even cheaper
A Swedish startup has designed a wooden tower for wind turbines that can be taken apart into smaller pieces and assembled on site. The company projects its towers are not only stronger than steel towers, but will also cost 30 percent less than conventional steel and concrete versions. Because these Read More...
Solar bitcoin founders launch blockchain project to disrupt energy markets
Last week, the team that launched SolarCoin, billed as the first clean energy digital currency (as in a solar bitcoin), kicked off Greeneum. This blockchain project aims to leverage digital currency in order to boost the generation and consumption of renewables and allow for decentralized energy Read More...
Soon it may be normal and safe for transportation trucks to tailgate each other
Driving with little following distance to the truck in front of you may seem dangerous today, but in the future, it will likely be just the opposite. Thanks to a new wave of technology intended to make trucks safer—such as radar, cameras and reflective light scanning—pairs of trucks will soon Read More...
How African Elephants’ amazing sense of smell could save lives
When the civil war in Angola ended 15 tears ago, elephant populations slowly started to return to their pre-conflict grazing grounds. The only problem was millions of landmines remained undetonated across Angola, killing many elephants as they returned to the region. Data collected from collared Read More...
Amazon wants to charge electric cars with drones
How to recharge an electric vehicle while it is driving is a problem the industry would love to solve. The limited range of electric cars and the lack of a widespread charging infrastructure make charging in transit an incredibly attractive Read More...
Solar power costs expected to keep plummeting as technology improves
The already-plummeting costs of installing solar power could fall an additional 60 percent over the next decade, the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said Read More...