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.
These floating Windcatchers aim to revolutionize offshore wind power
As our transition towards renewables marches on, engineers and designers around the world are working on redesigning the conventional wind turbine in a bid to harness wind power in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing way. One of the latest of these solutions comes from Norway’s Wind Read More...
NovoLoop uses circularity to address the plastic crisis
When Miranda Wang visited the Serangoon landfill in Indonesia, she realized the true scope of plastic pollution and the devastating toll it takes on the environment and the residents of developing countries that receive millions of pounds of dumped plastic waste from other countries each year. Read More...
First Solar to build huge solar factory in Ohio
Making our way to a renewable energy future means establishing the infrastructure needed to provide solar panels, wind turbines, and more to the entire US. Today, most solar energy panels and equipment are made in China, but the ease of access for US consumers may soon increase as First Solar has Read More...
This sleek, pollutant-free electric vehicle purifies the air as it drives
From futuristic bus shelters to algae-filled curtains, designers around the world have found endlessly creative ways to improve air quality in cities. Now, a team from Heatherwick Studio has designed a sustainable solution that takes tackling air pollution to a whole new level: an autonomous car Read More...
Scientists develop innovative process that extracts lithium out of seawater
While most electronics, including autonomous vehicles, power themselves with batteries made of lithium, the growing demand for this element is expected to exhaust our planet’s land-based reserves by 2080. Future shortages could cause battery prices to skyrocket and hinder the growth of electric Read More...
Genome study maps out optimistic future for California condors
Once driven to near extinction by hunting and habitat loss, the California condor appears to be making an impressive recovery. Numbers dwindled to just 22 animals in the wild 40 years ago, but today their number has grown to about 500. What’s more, a new study from UC Berkeley finds that the Read More...
This startup is spreading crushed rock in forests to tackle climate change
Increased urgency to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases has led to a rise in the number of reforestation projects aimed at cutting carbon emissions while greening up our planet. However, with limited land available to restore forests, these projects alone won’t be sufficient to pull excess CO2 Read More...
This cycling jacket has an airbag that inflates in case of an accident
While bike helmets are great at protecting your head from injuries, the other parts of your body are still exposed in the event of an impact. Enter the Cirrus airbag jacket, which auto-inflates in the case of an accident to protect the torso. Designed by Paris-based startup Urban Circus, the Read More...
NASA research identifies key site for US methane emissions reductions
Back in April, we shared how a NASA project was using satellites to identify sites of extreme emissions generation, also known as “super emitters.” Now, preliminary results from the satellite imagery have already identified areas where a few fixes could go a long way in terms of reducing Read More...
How flight tracking is protecting eagles near South Africa’s wind turbines
South Africa’s blustery ridges are great for wind energy generation, but these prime renewable regions are also home to the country’s Verreaux's eagles, and protecting these eagles while generating clean power is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. To help reduce bird fatalities, Dr. Megan Read More...