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.
'Artificial blowhole' generates electricity from ocean waves
Solar and wind power are amazing sources of energy, but the issue is that there isn’t always a shining sun or gusty breeze. There are, however, always waves on the coast. And with the help of a new device made by an Australian company, harnessing the endless motion of the ocean becomes very Read More...
America's first offshore wind farm leads to the closing of diesel plant
As of May 1, an island off the coast of Rhode Island became the first location in the U.S. to be powered by an offshore wind farm. The island’s 2,000 residents will now get their electricity from a wind farm nearby, eliminating the need for a diesel plant that was burning about one million Read More...
Germany legalizes self-driving car tests
German automakers won't have to bring their experimental autonomous cars to California for testing anymore. The country has just approved a law allowing companies to test their self-driving cars on its roads, so long as they follow a set of conditions. Perhaps the most important requirement is that Read More...
India, Sweden to further use of renewables to fight climate change
Sweden, one of the top 20 investors in India, is keen to partner Delhi to further the goal of use of renewables to combat challenges of climate change in keeping with the Paris Accord. Eva Svedling, State Secretary for Climate Policy, Sweden was recently in India with an aim to strengthen ties in Read More...
Toyota 'backs flying car project' in Japan
Japanese carmaker Toyota has announced its backing for a group of engineers who are developing a flying car. It will give 50 million yen (£274, 000) to the Cartivator group that operates outside Toyota city in central Japan. The Nikkei Asian Review reports Toyota and its group companies have Read More...
Turning coffee grounds into biofuel is economically viable with this new process
If turning used coffee grounds into biofuel sounds like a complex process, that’s because it is. The process is energy-intensive and time-consuming, which is why its widespread use is unlikely. That could soon change, however, as scientists from Britain’s Lancaster University have simplified Read More...
Giant wind farm delivers clean energy to 1.5 million people in the Netherlands
The second-largest offshore wind farm in the world has officially opened off the coast of the Netherlands. The 600-megawatt wind farm, known as Gemini, will provide a major boost to the Dutch grid as it will eventually generate enough power to meet the electricity needs of around 1.5 million Read More...
Experiments show that a few self-driving cars can dramatically improve traffic flow
The presence of just a few autonomous vehicles can eliminate the stop-and-go driving of the human drivers in traffic, along with the accident risk and fuel inefficiency it causes, according to new research. The finding indicates that self-driving cars and related technology may be even closer to Read More...
Renewables offer cheaper, more reliable power for Philippines' small islands
The Philippines can save $200 million a year and build a more reliable energy supply for millions of residents on its small islands by replacing diesel generators with renewable sources such as wind and solar, said a report released on Monday. The switch would require at least $1 billion in private Read More...
Harvard neuroscientist: Meditation reduces stress and changes your brain
Meditation, in its most basic sense, is clearing your mind of all thought—or at least, trying to. The practice is used in cultures around the globe for both religious and secular purposes. While it may be best known for its spiritual uses, it is this latter purpose that has recently ignited a Read More...