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.
Can't stand the heat? This new fabric will cool wearers down
Let’s face it—it’s getting pretty hot out here, and we’re going to have to adapt to these warming temperatures. Luckily, engineers Ma Yaoguang and Tao Guangming, from Zhejiang University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology respectively, have invented a textile that cools Read More...
The world’s first all-electric tugboat to put to sea in 2023
According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), maritime transport emits around 940 million tonnes of CO2 annually and is responsible for about 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As engineers are working to green up cargo ships with the help of low-carbon fuels, Read More...
This shapeshifting bulletproof material is inspired by Batman
New shape-shifting material developed by scientists at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and Caltech in the US was inspired by ancient chainmail armor and Batman’s cape-turned-glider from the 2005 Batman Begins. The fabric, which is described by the team as a type of “wearable Read More...
This platform redirects power to critical sites during an outage
When a winter storm hit Texas in February, it has brought some of the coldest weather the state has seen in decades. The deep freeze led to a massive electricity generation failure, leaving millions of people without power for several days. The ensuing power crisis revealed multiple problems with Read More...
This climate-friendly cooling unit cuts the CO2 footprint of HVAC by 75%
As the world keeps getting warmer, air conditioners are likely to become an increasingly common element of home design. With that said, these appliances are themselves a burden on the environment because they’re so energy-hungry. The same goes for heaters that are intended to keep us warm during Read More...
Two new dinosaur species discovered in China
A great number of dinosaur fossils have been discovered in China's northwest region in recent years and a new study confirms that the region has yielded two fossils of previously unknown dinosaurs the size of blue whales. The two new species, which are named Silutitan sinensis and Hamititan Read More...
This ultra light microbattery uses its own casing to store more energy
Improving the way current batteries store and deliver power is key to enabling faster charging and enhanced performance of electronic devices. However, the structural composition of most batteries today prevents the rapid transport of electrons and ions, limiting power density. Scientists have Read More...
Why public transportation systems are the perfect microgrid candidates
Fleet vehicles, including public transportation vehicles, are critical for embracing a transition to fossil fuel-free transportation, but committing to transitioning a whole city bus or train system to electric power is no easy feat. Fortunately, microgrids could play a critical role in this Read More...
Indigenous communities combat deforestation with smartphones
As the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report made clear, we must act quickly to restore and protect what’s left of the world’s biodiversity while reducing and capturing carbon emissions from the atmosphere. The Amazon rainforest is a vast area of dense forests that Read More...
How cargo delivery bikes can curb road congestion and pollution in cities
Online shopping has seen a surge during COVID-19. This, of course, went hand in hand with an increased number of double-parked delivery vans blocking traffic in urban areas and emitting greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. A new report proposes that logistics companies start parting ways with Read More...