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.
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...
Wind power is cheapest electricity source in the U.S. and capacity is soaring
Thanks to a combination of improvements in technology and federal and state tax incentives, wind power has spread quickly across the U.S. From 2008 to 2013, the cost of wind energy dropped by about a third; in some parts of the country, it’s the cheapest electricity source available. For a better Read More...
The Chevrolet Bolt EV extends its range with new portable charger
The Chevrolet Bolt EV is one of the most impressive electric cars out, boasting a range of 238 miles. Owners of the car will probably not need every one of those miles to get to their daily destinations, but if they do, they can rely on General Motors’ newest accessory: the AeroVironment 32-amp Read More...
Google to run on 100% renewable energy by 2017
Google and all its operations require a lot of power. Fortunately for the environment, the internet giant is set to run completely on renewable energy by 2017. The company already powers 44 percent of its operations through wind and solar farms, and next year the number will rise to 100 Read More...
The “Victory for the Sioux” could define the energy future of America
Something happened near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation in Dakota as Obama administration has shut down the pipeline, for now. The battle is not over, activists say. But in this modern-day Indian war, so far, the Indians are winning. A historic growing movement for Indigenous rights is a key to Read More...
Sales of plug-in electric cars are beating the season
So far, when winter arrives in North America, electric cars sales have slowed down. However, the November 2016 figures show continuing strong sales confirming that the electric car revolution is very much underway. Analysts expect another record year for sales in the Read More...
San Francisco passes legislation prohibiting fossil fuel extraction on city-owned land
The City of San Francisco has taken a bold stand against profiting from climate disruption, passing legislation that prohibits the leasing of city-owned land for fossil fuel extraction. The unanimous decision by the Board of Supervisors is a win-win-win for the environment, for clean energy jobs, Read More...