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.
Will self-driving cars do away with luxury and car ownership?
Dreams of the driverless car are primarily focused on how the robotic technology will usher in a new era of safe, seamless transportation. Less discussed is what social values, industries, and activities will be displaced or made obsolete. Consider luxury. The luxury car of 2016 looks very Read More...
Tidal power developers bet on sea change in Indonesia renewables sector
We focus on the human and development impacts of climate change 'I was forced to kill my best friend', former DRC child soldier says Myanmar refugee doctor wins humanitarian prize for clinic in Thailand 'The old me is gone': Rise in transgender children in UK fuels identity fears Impoverished Read More...
Politicians cannot stop the clean power revolution. And that’s good news
America is deeply divided after a hard-fought and often cruel election. In the immediate aftermath of the results, both sides may think or hope or fear that their world is going to radically change. But, if history is any guide, elections never lead to revolutions. The power of the business and the Read More...
Morocco lights the way for Africa on renewable energy
As the host of this year’s COP22 climate change conference in Marrakech, Morocco has been keen to demonstrate its green credentials and make this COP the “African COP”. In the past year, Morocco has banned the use of plastic bags, launched new plans for extending the urban tram Read More...
Study shows LED lights attract far fewer bugs than other lights
Here’s another reason why you should replace the traditional filament lamps in your home with LED lights. In a new study, researchers found that LED lights are much less attractive to nuisance insects such as biting midges than filament lamps. In fact, the results showed that LEDs attracted four Read More...
First electricity from tidal energy farm reaches mainland Scotland
For the first time, Scotland’s mainland has received electricity from tidal power. Scotland is currently developing the world’s first large-scale tidal energy farm, with plans to deploy up to 269 turbines that will generate around 400MW of electricity. That’s enough to power hundreds of Read More...
Energy-efficient engine turns waste hot water into electricity
A new engine that generates electricity from waste hot water could reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions for thousands of different businesses, from cargo shipping to data centres. So says Exergyn, a firm based in Dublin, Ireland, which plans to run the first industrial trials of its Read More...
Study: Battery-electric cars cheaper, better at cutting emissions than fuel cells
There's been considerable debate among advocates of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell cars over which technology is better for the environment. While neither vehicle type produces any tailpipe emissions, their overall emissions vary depending on the fuels and processes used to generate Read More...
California’s plug-in electric vehicle fleet to surpass 250,000 milestone this month
The plug-in electric vehicle fleet in California has grown rapidly over the last few years, partly down to the substantial support that the government there provides, though partly due to the presence of companies such as Tesla, a greener focus in the state, wealthier citizens, and associated Read More...
The state of solar power looks bright in 2017 (+video)
By 2017, solar power capacity in the U.S. will have nearly tripled in less than three years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Combined wind, utility-scale and distributed solar power accounted for more than 66% of all new capacity installed in the U.S. last year. Already, more than twice Read More...