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.
Quadriplegic man drinks his first beer thanks to mind-controlled technology
Mind over matter—such is the path followed by scientists seeking to allow people with missing or paralyzed limbs to enjoy some autonomy of movement. Since it was first demonstrated in 2006, the technology that relies on brain implants keeps being refined. Here is the story of a man who was able Read More...
Pakistan turns desert into a sea of solar panels
More than a third of Pakistan’s population does not have access to electricity, and power shortages hinder economic growth. That situation may be about to improve as a 100-megawatt solar farm built by a Chinese company in the Punjab province just came online. Its capacity is expected to exceed Read More...
Global solar market to grow 30-percent this year
The price of solar panels keeps tumbling but manufacturers are finding a sweet spot after three challenging years: volume is finally making up for the price drop as demand surges. The solar panel market is expected to grow by 30 percent this year, according to Bloomberg, driven by growing Read More...
Bladeless turbine to make wind-energy systems affordable and easy to maintain
Spain has long been a wind-energy pioneer. It should only be fitting that the latest, hottest wind innovation comes from the South European nation. Spanish startup Vortex Bladeless has developed a technology to harvest energy from wind without using blades—as it names suggests. Because it has no Read More...
California’s 2030 renewable energy plan will save $51 billion a year
Governor Jerry Brown made headlines last January when he announced an ambitious plan to source 50 percent of energy from renewables by 2030. A new analysis by Strategen Consulting now confirms that the plan is not only achievable, but also “economically sound (and) environmentally beneficial.” Read More...
Emerging economies embrace renewables twice as fast as industrialized nations
Emerging economies have been hindered by the lack of reliable, safe and affordable energy. It turns out that renewable power fits the bill better than fossil fuels, with its adoption growing twice as fast in those countries than in industrialized nations, according to a recent report from Bloomberg Read More...
The Great Transition away from fossil fuels — Lester Brown takes a close look
Lester Brown is a legendary figure in the US environmental movement. Founder of Worldwatch Institute and of the Earth Policy Institute, he has made his mark as an influential thinker on issues of sustainability, including food, population and energy. His new book details the accelerating pace of Read More...
Solar roads are the way of the future
If a six-month experiment in the Netherlands is any indication, roads paved with solar panels can provide a solid alternative for renewable energy generation. So far, results have exceeded expectations. In this context, it is encouraging to know that similar projects are brewing in the United Read More...
Community-led programs accelerate transition to renewable energy across America
Community Choice Aggregation programs are bringing competition into power generation by letting cities and counties decide where their energy comes from. California's local authorities are leading the way, supporting governor Jerry Brown’s new ambitious climate goals to have the state produce 50 Read More...
Cyprus becomes testing ground for cutting-edge Australian solar technology
The Mediterranean island nation is bound by a European Union target of 13 percent of energy coming from renewable sources by 2020. It also needs energy to power desalination plants in order to remedy its water shortages. If the CSIRO’s (Australia’s national science agency) “solar thermal Read More...