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.
Bringing solar to Mexicans without electricity
“Can you imagine spending an entire day without electricity? Can you imagine the desperation you would feel? Can you imagine not being able to use the Internet, your cell phone, your appliances, or your lights? Now imagine living without electricity every day of your life and relying on Read More...
The Energy Department helped start a revolution
As the Obama administration prepares to leave office, it is seeking to underscore just how much has changed in the last eight years in the way we get energy — and to take some credit for it. Since 2008, costs for wind and solar have plunged by 40 and 60 percent, respectively, according to an Read More...
Emerging markets are deploying more renewables than developed nations
Climatescope, a new report from BNEF, was released last week, and while many news outlets highlighted the finding that solar is now cheaper than wind, the report contains numbers that signal another major shift in renewable energy. The report focuses on "clean energy market Read More...
Mercedes’ Groove: from selling one car to one person, to selling cars to share
The sharing economy driven by the internet deeply changes business and society. In the past century, car makers have sold one car to one person one time and then waited for them to wear out that car and come back to buy a new one. Increasingly, car manufacturers are producing cars for people to Read More...
More than $5 trillion worth in investments are selling off fossil fuel assets
A look at the numbers tells us that the end of fossil fuels is nearing. On Monday, it was revealed that investors worth more than $5 trillion have now committed to dumping their fossil fuel stocks. That means that in just over a year, the value of divestment has doubled, thanks in part to the many Read More...
Global coal demand drops for second year in a row
Coal demand fell in 2015 for the second year in a row and coal consumption is expected to stay below peak levels in 2016 as well, according to a new from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The IEA also said that for all promises of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to put coal miners back to Read More...
You can paint this coating onto any surface to convert heat into electricity
Researchers in South Korea have created a type of paint that can capture and convert waste heat into electricity from objects of almost any shape. What they have created, is known as thermoelectric coating, and it can be painted on virtually any surface from cars to buildings in order to produce Read More...
Six places where renewable energy is showing how to beat fossil fuels
When the cost of renewable energy drops below the price of fossil fuels globally, the world will be able to cut off its reliance on polluting energy sources. Advancements in technology over the last few years have helped bring down the expense of renewable energy, but in most places, fossil fuels Read More...
India can leapfrog to a sustainable economy 2.0
Developing countries are, well, developing. And that comes with an advantage too. Countries like India don't have to make the same mistakes that, for instance, led to the climate change problems western countries are now facing. A new report from the United Nations Conference for Trade and Read More...
Soon in a city near you: Electric, self-driving buses
Buses are the major providers of public transit in the world. And, yet, in all the excitement about the self-driving electric car revolution that is gathering steam, buses seem to be forgotten. But that will change soon. Rolling onto the scene are fleets of high-tech vehicles with self-driving Read More...