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.
Making a solar energy conversion breakthrough with help from a ferroelectrics pioneer
Designers of solar cells may soon be setting their sights higher, as a discovery by a team of researchers has revealed a class of materials that could be better at converting sunlight into energy than those currently being used in solar arrays. Their research shows how a material can be used to Read More...
Nissan debuts fuel-cell prototype powered by bio-ethanol
Just in time for the Olympic Games, Nissan is testing a special type of fuel-cell vehicle on the streets of Brazil. The model, based off the NV200 van, runs completely off bio-ethanol and offers a driving range of more than 372 miles. It doesn’t work like other fuel cells which have a Read More...
The clean energy revolution is underway in Australia
The “virtual power plant” seeks to link together networks of energy-efficient buildings, solar installations, and batteries to help utilities reduce energy demand at peak hours and supply targeted areas with clean energy. We wrote about the “virtual power plant” of Los Angeles last week, Read More...
Nissan has created the world’s first solid-oxide fuel cell vehicle
Nissan Motor Co. revealed a revolutionary new prototype vehicle this week — the world’s first Solid Oxide Fuel-Cell (SOFC)-powered prototype vehicle. The car runs on bio-ethanol electric power and can rely on multiple fuels in order to produce high-efficiency electricity, including Read More...
Electric garbage trucks could be everywhere “within five years”
Electrifying fuel guzzling heavy-duty trucks could cut costs and carbon emissions—in theory, at least. by Michael Reilly August 4, 2016 While we wait and see whether electric cars will take over the roads, there’s a new vehicle up for an electric makeover: the garbage truck. Read More...
Electric vehicle charge points to outnumber petrol stations by 2020, say Nissan
Public electric vehicle (EV) charge points will outnumber petrol stations in the UK by the end of the decade, marking a potential tipping point in the adoption of zero emission vehicles. That is the conclusion of a new analysis by auto giant and EV manufacturer Nissan, which argues that based on Read More...
Mining town Coober Pedy shows the rest of Australia how to turn to renewables
Coober Pedy is the epitome of the Australian mining town. Located in the South Australian outback, it is as famous for its opals as it is for the extraordinary underground housing that has become a feature of its way of life. Now the township of 3,500 people may be about to make a name for itself Read More...
A 'bionic leaf' turns solar energy into chemicals and fuels
Photosynthesis – turning the sun’s energy into food for plants – is the biological system that feeds the world. But despite its awesome power, the process is extremely inefficient. We can’t really blame plants for this because photosynthesis evolved for ancient earth’s Read More...
Introducing to you the "virtual power plant"
In Los Angeles, utility companies aren’t solely relying on fossil fuels to feed the city’s hunger for energy. Instead, they are turning to “virtual power plants”: sprawling networks of independent batteries, solar panels, and energy-efficient buildings that are tied together and remotely Read More...
This U.S. town plans to disconnect from the grid and go 100% renewables
Nassau, New York, a town of 5,000 people just outside of Albany, New York, plans to disconnect from the electrical grid. Last week, the town board voted to get 100 percent of its power from renewables by 2020. The town is making the move both as a way to "increase its reliance on renewable sources Read More...