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.
The rapid growth of clean power begins to reverse global warming trend
The renewable energy revolution that The Optimist Daily reports on every day, is beginning to have a real impact on global warming. During the first six months of the year, carbon dioxide emissions from America’s energy industry dropped to the lowest point since 1991, according to U.S. Energy Read More...
Here’s how to speed up the electric-car revolution
The future of cars may be electric, but bringing that future into the present will require tough policy decisions to be made by governments. A new report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance and McKinsey & Company reaffirms what MIT Technology Review has said in the past: by 2030, electric vehicles Read More...
Crowdfunding campaign wants to make solar panels less ugly
The Italian company Dyaqua is getting ready to launch a crowdfunding campaign for what it’s dubbed “Invisible Solar”—a new technology invented by the company to create innovative solar modules that can take the appearance of the various building materials. Earlier this year, Read More...
Rapid fall of battery prices drives electric car revolution
The price of electric car batteries is plummeting, and it could just be the catalyst to the electric car revolution. The price of lithium-ion battery packs has fallen 65 percent since 2010, with experts predicting that trend will only continue in the coming years. These low prices are enabling car Read More...
EU to make electric car charging stations mandatory for each new house
Buying an electric car is much more attractive if you have the capability of charging it every night. The EU is well aware of this, which is why they have created a new initiative that will equip each new or refurbished house in Europe with an electric vehicle recharging point. The initiative is Read More...
Future cities could run on shared fleets of electric self-driving cars
Over the coming decades, a dozen dense and developed cities may aggressively use shared fleets of electric and self-driving cars that could be summoned to pick up passengers and shuttle them to offices and stores. Such cars, which could carry anywhere from two passengers to 20 passengers, could Read More...
As prices plunge, Africa surges into clean, cheap solar energy
Until almost two years ago, James Mbugua, a farmer living in Karai, a village on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital, relied on kerosene to light his house, and a car battery to power his television so he wouldn't miss the news. Part of the reason he couldn't plug into the power grid, despite Read More...
Researchers scale clean hydrogen production with genetically-modified algae
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have genetically modified algae in a way that could enable it to be used to mass-produce hydrogen on an industrial scale, which is big news, considering 90 percent of hydrogen produced in the U.S currently comes from fossil fuels. Natural algae can produce small Read More...
Sweden's Uniti short-range city EV successfully navigates crowdfunding route
Urban TransportLessening range anxiety is a priority for many electric vehicle manufacturers, but others are steering into the skid with small EVs designed for short-range city driving, such as the Renault Twizy and the Microlino. Joining them is the Swedish startup Uniti, which has just hit its Read More...
Israel to boost solar energy production
Following a two-year freeze on any new solar energy development, the Public Utility Authority said Monday it will issue more than 1,000 megawatts of fresh quotas.The new power is being authorized to ensure that Israel achieves its goals of making 10% of the country’s electricity supply Read More...