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.
Renewables now provide 43% of new electricity capacity in U.S.
The grid continues to get cleaner and cleaner. Renewable energy accounts for a large percentage of new electricity generation capacity quarter after quarter in the United States, while old coal power plants close down quarter after quarter. However, due to the massive size of the electricity Read More...
The big potential of used electric car batteries
Almost a third of electric car batteries are expected be reused by 2025, providing important applications for the power grid and buildings, according to a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The report estimates that there will be 29 gigawatt hours of used batteries created by electric Read More...
An effective and low-cost solution for storing solar energy
Solar energy can be stored by converting it into hydrogen. But current methods are too expensive and don't last long. Using commercially available solar cells and none of the usual rare metals, researchers have now designed a device that outperforms in stability, efficiency and cost. Share: FULL Read More...
The hydrogen economy is much nearer than we think
Hydrogen produced from renewable energy is already finding a market as a 'green' fuel for cars. But its future potential goes way beyond that, as a vital storage mechanism for surplus wind / solar electricity on the grid, to provide power on demand. Photo: University of Nottingham via Flickr (CC Read More...
The future of solar power in 7 promising charts
Global growth of solar power and curbing climate change go hand in hand. If growth slows down, climate change will further its grip on the earth. Luckily, the expansion of solar power is going remarkably well thanks to plummeting costs of electricity. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Read More...
Fleet of self-driving taxis hits the roads of Singapore
Self-driving vehicles aren’t quite ready for full-scale rollout just yet, but in one part of Singapore, autonomous taxis will be giving people rides around town for free. The company behind this trial is nuTonomy, which has been testing its technology in Singapore without passengers for some time Read More...
The electric bus is coming to a city near you
The average transit bus travels about 130 miles a day. An electric bus from the company Proterra can drive 146 miles, on one electric charge. As battery prices continue to fall and state mandates to cut pollution become more pressing, many cities around the U.S are starting to replace their Read More...
Investing in off-grid renewables in the developing world: what you need to know
At the Paris climate talks last December, governments agreed to work towards limiting global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. But the topic of financing developing countries to help them adapt to climate change and transition to clean energy became a sticking point during the Read More...
Apple becomes a green energy supplier, with itself as customer
Although much of Apple’s manufacturing is done offshore, it still has extensive needs for electric power in the United States — and not only for the sprawling new corporate campus it is building at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif., and its 270 retail stores around the country. One Read More...
These "trees" can turn wind into energy
A nice cool breeze in the summer would feel even better if the trees surrounding your yard were also generating electricity for your home. We’re used to the idea of capturing sunlight for energy, but now it’s also possible to capture wind energy through “wind trees.” Developed by a French Read More...