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.
Semi-autonomous wheelchair could help mobilize people with severe paralysis
For someone with advanced Lou Gehrig’s disease or severe paralysis, a motorized wheelchair can be very hard to use. That’s why engineers have put together a self-driving wheelchair to help people with severe disabilities get around. The wheelchair isn’t exactly self-driving because the people Read More...
California generated nearly half of its energy needs from solar last week
California just hit a new solar power milestone. Last week, the Golden state briefly generated enough solar power to meet nearly half of the state’s electricity needs. What’s remarkable is that rooftop systems were responsible for over a third of that power. It's an incredible feat, but Read More...
3D Printing with plants is cheaper, stronger and more environmentally friendly
Engineers at MIT have developed a way to use plant cellulose as a feedstock for 3D printers, providing another renewable, biodegradable alternative to popular petroleum-based polymers like ABS currently being used. The researchers also believe printing with cellulose could be cheaper and stronger Read More...
Panasonic design ultra-efficient solar roof for the Prius
Tesla isn’t the only one making solar roofs. Panasonic has been the designer of the solar roof of the Prius for the past five years, and now they have developed a new panel with a wattage of 180 W. That’s three times more than the previous design. Toyota says the solar roof would increase the Read More...
Solar power growth leaps by 50 percent worldwide thanks to U.S. and China
The amount of solar power added worldwide soared by some 50% last year because of a sun rush in the US and China, new figures show. New solar photovoltaic capacity installed in 2016 reached more than 76 gigawatts, a dramatic increase on the 50GW installed the year before. China and the US led the Read More...
In major switch, there’s a new leading renewable energy source in the U.S.
Long before wind and solar became viable sources of renewable energy, water was flowing through dams and creating power. Now, after decades of hydropower leading the country in electricity generating capacity among renewable sources, wind energy blew past it last year after several years of Read More...
U.S. electric car sales up 68 percent in February
US electric car sales jumped approximately 68% in February 2017 versus February 2016. Fully electric car sales were up 74%, while plug-in hybrid sales were up 61%. For the first two months of the year, that puts all plug-in car sales up 64%, fully electric car sales up 57%, and plug-in hybrid Read More...
This home generates income by producing more energy than it needs
The use of cars and homes comes with expenses. So we know. But that’s going to change. In the future electric cars can store and sell energy while they are not being used. And homes can become power stations that generate income to pay for mortgages. This home in England’s East Sussex makes Read More...
The 94-old inventor of the lithium battery now has a better battery
Some people have the wrong name. The inventor of the lithium-ion battery, that likely powers the device you’re reading this on right now, is 94 years old—but not satisfied with his invention as his last name would suggest. John Goodenough of the University of Texas at Austin has invented a Read More...
Solar power now least expensive source of electricity in 60 countries
March 5th, 2017 by Steve Hanley Solar power is now the least expensive source of electricity in 60 countries around the world, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Why is that important? Many of those countries are part of the developing world, places where, until recently, people have Read More...