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.
California hit yet another record high in solar energy generation
In California, the solar power industry is having a field day. For the second time in as many years, the largest electricity grid in the state broke its own solar generation record with 8,030 megawatts (MW) output at 1:06pm local time July 12, 2016. California Independent System Operator (CAISO) Read More...
New tool calculates emissions impacts, energy benefits from smart grid investments
"Smart grid" technologies significantly reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions resulting from power production and usage. Taken together, smart grid and intelligent buildings mechanisms could reduce national carbon emissions by 12 percent by 2030, according to one estimate. But, surprisingly, Read More...
Ford invests in mapping startup for self-driving cars
Ford is among five investors putting $6.6 million into a California startup that generates three-dimensional maps to help guide self-driving cars. Civil Maps, which was founded in 2014, uses artificial intelligence to convert data obtained from a car’s sensors into map information for use in Read More...
Clean energy innovation turns river mouths into power stations
Scientists have developed an efficient system to generate electricity from salt water. Their research outlines how significant amounts of power can be generated from a natural phenomenon that occurs when fresh river water comes into contact with seawater through a membrane. The potential of the new Read More...
Nissan cars are about to get some awesome self-driving features
Tesla isn't the only automaker bringing autonomous driving features to its cars. Nissan recently announced that it will release its ProPILOT semi-autonomous technology in its new Serena car in Japan starting in late August. But the tech is also slated to arrive in Europe in 2017, and eventually in Read More...
Solar energy firms get loans to light up rural Tanzania
When Tanzanian company ARTI Energy brought solar lights to Kiromo village in the eastern district of Bagamoyo eight years ago, local people were excited but found them expensive. "I really liked those lamps, but I could not imagine then that I would ever own one," recalled Kiromo resident Salum Read More...
Wind energy supplied 83% of South Australia’s electricity on Monday
Extreme weather conditions across Australia’s south-east have helped wind energy to deliver more than two-thirds of South Australia’s electricity over the weekend, and even higher levels on Monday, with wind turbines providing a huge 83 per cent of the state’s power needs in the Read More...
Nasa is investing $43 million in electric, environmentally friendly planes
While the rise of the electric car is well underway, electric, environmentally friendly planes seem still a distant future. However, NASA is seriously investing in making electric planes a reality. The space agency’s 10-year plan revolves around designing and building a line of Read More...
Could self-driving cars be one solution to police shootings during traffic stops?
The shooting death of Philando Castile in a St. Paul suburb last week started out as a police traffic stop for a broken taillight. [Fatal police shooting in Minnesota sparks protests across country] It’s a familiar refrain when it comes to officer-involved shootings that Read More...
Chinese automaker plans self-driving, electric car by 2020
An automotive venture backed by China tech giant Tencent aims to launch an electric self-driving car before 2020, entering a crowded field dominated by US-based Tesla Motors, the chief executive told Reuters on Tuesday. Future Mobility, backed by Tencent and Hon Hai Precision Industries, is one of Read More...