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.
Barack Obama: The irreversible momentum of clean energy
In the final days of his presidency, Barack Obama is using all the tools he can to leave a lasting impression. He wrote a commentary for the prestigious scientific journal Science arguing that the push toward renewable energy is unstoppable and that it’s a valid strategy for economic growth. Read More...
Volkswagen taps hippie heritage with an electric microbus
Volkswagen unveiled a battery-powered version of its iconic hippie-era Microbus as the carmaker overhauls its North American lineup to move beyond its emissions-cheating scandal. The latest iteration of the van, a concept dubbed the I.D. Buzz, is part of the VW brand’s strategy to deliver one Read More...
Study calls for special business model for solar power in remote areas
A new study calls for special business model for developing low-cost, off-grid solar energy in some remote areas where costs and remote terrain often make it impractical or even impossible to extend the electric grid. Around the world, more than 1.2 billion people lack access to basic electricity Read More...
Google just made a big move to bring down the cost of self-driving cars
Google parent company Alphabet just made a big move to bring its self-driving car tech to market cheaper and faster. Alphabet-owned company Waymo has slashed the price of lidar, a key component of self-driving cars that helps them see the world, by 90%, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said during a keynote Read More...
A robotics expert predicts that kids born in 2017 will never drive a car
Henrik Christensen, director of the University of California San Diego’s Contextual Robotics Institute, has issued a jarring prophecy for the next generation: “My own prediction is that kids born today will never get to drive a car.” His forecast, which he shared in a December Read More...
How blockchain is impacting clean energy
No one enjoys paying their electricity bill. It keeps going up and up, with a bunch of new nonsense fees thrown on top every few years. What’s worse is that many parts of the world still rely on dirty fossil fuels to produce this energy. By now we have all heard about the potential of solar Read More...
All Dutch trains now run 100 percent on wind power
Electric trains have always been a relatively sustainable mode of transport, with much lower emissions than cars, but as of the 1st of January, 2017, all electric train rides in the Netherlands have become even greener. They are now entirely powered by clean, renewable, wind energy. Dutch railway Read More...
Honda studies fish to improve safety of driving
Nature has done almost 4 billion years of research and development. That expertise is hard to beat and that’s why more and more businesses are looking into nature to solve problems. Now Honda is looking at swarms of fish to improve the safety of driving. Fish swim closely together and somehow Read More...
Israel harnessing sunshine with world’s tallest solar tower
ASHALIM, Israel (AP) — In sunny Israel, aside from the ubiquitous solar water heaters adorning the roofs, solar energy supplies only a small percentage of the nation’s power needs, leaving it far behind countries with cloudier and colder climates. Now the fledgling solar industry is Read More...
Israel set to test electric roads that charge your car while you drive
Israeli startup Electroad is working to pave the way towards a greener world with technology that retrofits existing roads with buried coils that inductively charge electric vehicles wirelessly. The startup has already demonstrated its electrifying roads successfully, and is now demoing the roads Read More...