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.
Hawaii aims for 100-percent renewable electricity by 2045
Electricity in Hawaii costs three times as much as the national average. That’s because most of it is generated by power plants fueled by expensive imported oil. That is bound to change as the state legislature passed a bill this week that sets a 100-percent renewable electricity goal by 2045. Read More...
Germany is replacing nuclear reactors with massive offshore wind farms
Nuclear power is a thing of the past in Germany, ever since the country committed to phasing our nuclear plants in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan. It has already been reduced from 25 percent to 17 percent in the past four years. Although Germany resorted to cheap coal in a Read More...
Portable sun-tracking solar system gives 40 percent more output
Many potential customers are kept out of the rooftop solar market by logistics requirements such as home ownership and roof availability. Portable, and with 40 percent more output than traditional solar panels, the sun-tracking Smartflower POP system is a 3.2 kW solar energy generator that you can Read More...
US solar firms invest to power more than 200.000 homes in rural Kenya
Decentralized solar holds huge potential to meet electricity demand in regions of the world where no centralized power grid is available. California-based Powerhive and First Solar plan to reach more than 200,000 homes and businesses with solar-powered micro-grids. The project will address some Read More...
Developers work to make Egypt’s government accountable
Three years after Egypt's Arab Spring toppled the corrupt regime of Hosni Mubarak, Egyptians are still struggling to make their government accountable. In fact, Egypt ranked 91 out of 102 countries on the recently released Open Government Index. Thankfully a new web platform was recently launched Read More...
North Korea’s quiet revolution is powered by solar panels
A limited power grid and regular blackouts are a way of life in North Korea. Including in winter when freezing temperatures reduces hydropower capacity. Over the past year, foreign observers have been noticing an unusual sight on a growing number of residential buildings in the capital Pyongyang Read More...
French government study: 100% renewable power mix is economically attractive
France has long taken pride in its low-carbon intensive energy sector, which relies on nuclear power by up to 75% and natural gas. As the aging infrastructure requires upgrading, the decision to allocate future investments leaves much room for heated debate. Now, a controversial report from ADEME Read More...
The solar revolution is here now
No lengthy analysis can convey the sheer enormity of the global seismic event happening right now in the energy world. Solar power is taking over. TreeHugger has collected various graphs to capture it in a visual format. It makes for compelling Read More...
Science confirms alpha wave oscillations in the brain foster creativity
A creativity boost is as simple as a 10-Hertz current run through electrodes attached to the scalp, according to a new research study on the impact of alpha wave oscillations in the brain. Meditation yields the same result, as people who have incorporated the practice regularly can attest to. The Read More...
China cuts its coal imports by almost half in 12 months
China is the world’s biggest carbon emitter. It has also been the biggest consumer of coal so far. The news that China’s imports of coal dropped by 42% in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year should prick up everybody’s ears. China’s economic slowdown is Read More...