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.
Energy storage through big batteries may be closer than you think
You might only think about energy storage when your laptop or cellphone is running out of juice, but utilities can plug bigger versions into the electric grid. And thanks to rapidly declining lithium-ion battery prices, using energy storage to stretch electricity generation capacity is becoming Read More...
California becomes one third renewable two years before the deadline
Being America’s most populous state and the world’s fifth largest economy makes it all the more impressive that California sits amongst the forerunners in the global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. A new report issued by the California Energy Commission shows that the Golden Read More...
Scientists are using gene-editing to make stem cell transplants safer
A common problem that can occur during stem cell transplant procedures is that the recipient’s immune system may attack and thus reject the new cells by recognizing them as ‘foreign’. A solution may be on the horizon as scientists at the University of California San Francisco have recently Read More...
Flow batteries could solve range anxiety in the EV industry
While electric cars can take some strain off the environment, their limited charging infrastructure and range limitations are something of an Achilles’ heel in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The good news is that help may be on the horizon. Scientists are working to develop liquid, or Read More...
These firefly-inspired LEDs are nearly twice as efficient as conventional ones
Imagery from outer space makes it abundantly clear just how many light bulbs are shining in the world every night. If we want to spare the environment and reduce the amount of power these lighting systems consume (while lowering energy costs), creating more efficient light bulbs is a must. Read More...
Coal is giving way to renewables in India’s energy future
Coal is increasingly falling out of favor as a potential energy source in India. Despite being the world’s second-largest producer and importer, the fossil fuel is becoming less attractive to potential investors because it's too expensive relative to renewable energy alternatives such as wind and Read More...
New innovative solar cells deliver twice as much energy as traditional ones
Conventional solar panels on the market collect sunlight on their entire surface, converting it to electricity at 15 to 19 percent efficiency – meaning about 85 percent of the energy is lost in the process. There are more efficient cells out there, but they generally come at a great cost. Swiss Read More...
Audi is helping drivers avoid red lights by suggesting speeds
There’s no better feeling for a driver than when you get a string of consecutive green lights so that you can cruise smoothly through the city. Getting a wave of green lights is usually a matter of luck, but Audi wants to make it possible for you every time you drive through it’s Traffic Light Read More...
Scientists unveil new method that turns used plastic bags into batteries
Plastic bag pollution has become a major environmental challenge, pushing cities and countries around the world to heavily tax or ban the sacks. But what if discarded plastic bags could be made into higher-value products? Recently, researchers have come up with a new method of converting plastic Read More...
Innovative material uses sunlight to purify drinking water
Considering that more than 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, innovative solutions to the global water crisis are at an all-time premium. With that in mind, a team of researchers has recently developed a “green” material that uses sunlight to purify enough daily Read More...