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.
Plunging price of renewable energy makes end of fossil fuels inevitable, says report
The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy “now appears irreversible” as the cost of green power plunges, according to a new report. In The Transition Takes Hold, Clean Energy Canada said some 6.7 million people were working in the sector worldwide with one out of every 50 new Read More...
Toyota is using AI to hunt for new battery materials
Toyota has turned to artificial intelligence for help in the hunt for new advanced battery materials and fuel cell catalysts. The Toyota Research Institute (TRI) is investing $35 million into the project and is teaming up with various institutions and companies, including MIT and Stanford Read More...
From combustion to electric: Mercedes hastens shift away from gas cars
In an effort to meet tighter emissions standards, Mercedez-Benz is going all in on electric cars. The world’s largest luxury-car maker has embarked on a 10 billion euro project to release 10 new electric vehicles by 2022, three years earlier than a target announced at the Paris auto show in Read More...
Nuclear energy dealt crushing blow as Westinghouse files for bankruptcy
We don't often report on bankruptcies. They hardly represent solutions. But this is a good one. As the prices of natural gas and renewable energy sources continue to tumble, nuclear power is having a hard time keeping up. Westinghouse Electric's filing for bankruptcy protection illustrates the Read More...
Henrik Fisker is solving major problem in the car startup world
Henrik Fisker is well known for founding Fisker Automotive in 2007, a startup carmaker that challenged Tesla before going bankrupt in 2013. The designer and entrepreneur has since staged a comeback, unveiling a new supercar with his company VLF Automotive in 2016 and unveiling a new all-electric Read More...
Wind energy now directly competing with coal on cost
Last week, Xcel Energy announced a multi-state wind capacity project, anticipated to be the largest in the United States. Spanning seven states, the project covers eleven new wind farms and would generate 3280 MWs at a cost of $3.5-4.4 billion. In its announcement, Xcel emphasized the cost-savings Read More...
When will self-driving cars be on the road?
Cars are already driving themselves on roads in California, Texas, Arizona, Washington, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Though they are still restricted to specific test areas and driving conditions, it’s pretty clear that at some point in the future, completely driverless cars will be a mainstream Read More...
The oil sheikhs of the North are rapidly shifting to renewable energy
Oil has made Norway a very rich country. However, the Norwegians realize that they need to move away from fossil fuels. Norway already leads the electric car revolution in Europe. And the government is actively supporting the country’s growing renewable energy sector. With a grant from a Read More...
UK breaks new solar energy record on sunny March weekend
Last weekend’s sunny weather was not only good for beers, barbecues and bees, but also drove solar power to break a new UK record. For the first time ever, the amount of electricity demanded by homes and businesses in the afternoon on Saturday was lower than it was in the night, because solar Read More...
The race to put more zero-emission cars on the road
California has led the charge for electric vehicles with an ambitious strategy to put 1.5 million zero‐emission vehicles on the road by 2025 (Executive Order B‐16‐2012) with the ultimate goal of transitioning virtually all personal transportation in the state to Read More...