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.
A self-driving taxi service may soon be operating in this American city
Phoenix is set to become the first major city to welcome Waymo’s driverless taxi service next month. Offering paid rides is a big milestone for the autonomous service, which will operate within a 100 square mile area around the Phoenix area. Although most of the taxis will be completely Read More...
Purple bacteria can turn human waste into clean hydrogen energy
A significant downside to wastewater treatment plants is their carbon footprint. Now, researchers have found a way to reduce carbon emissions from sewage and produce hydrogen energy at the same Read More...
How farms can benefit from the presence of solar panels
After observing solar farms for the past couple of decades, researchers have found that solar farms have an incredible ability to alter the microclimate under them. In fact, scientists in Oregon found that 90 percent more biomass flourished in areas partly or fully covered by solar panels. This was Read More...
Rooftop solar panels could soon work as air conditioners too
All objects lose heat in the form of infrared radiation, which is invisible to the human eye. This means that materials that emit this wavelength become cooler than the temperature of surrounding air. With this in mind, scientists have created a new rooftop solar panel that captures sunlight while Read More...
Spain plans switch to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2050
Spain has launched an ambitious plan to switch its electricity system entirely to renewable sources by 2050 and completely decarbonize its economy soon after. By mid-century greenhouse gas emissions would be slashed by 90 percent from 1990 levels under Spain’s draft climate change and energy Read More...
Volkswagen now lets Apple users unlock their cars with Siri
Volkswagen is deepening its relationship with Apple on its VW Car-Net app. iOS users can now use Siri to lock and unlock their car, check estimate mileage with the fuel or charge left in their vehicle, and enable Read More...
Nuclear power is slowly giving way to renewables in UK
Ten years after Tony Blair sparked a renewed interest in nuclear power, it seems nuclear power is already facing its downfall in the UK. The planned construction of a new nuclear plant in England was dropped this past week, and the funding of other nuclear projects is now in serious question. Read More...
French car-pool app Blablacar branching into bus lines
French car ride-sharing app Blablacar said on Monday it had offered to buy Ouibus, a bus operator owned by state rail firm SNCF, in the first major departure from its digital business model toward building a broader transport company. Blablacar did not disclose financial terms but said it had also Read More...
Scientists have invented a window coating that could cut air-conditioning costs
Scientists at MIT have discovered a see-through film that rejects 70 percent of the sun’s incoming heat. The material is thermochromic, meaning that it changes color in response to heat, getting darker at higher temperatures. Sticking it on windows could potentially make air-conditioners, which Read More...
From German trains to Korean buses, hydrogen fuel is back in the energy picture
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis was refueling his hydrogen fuel-cell car at one of the 50-plus refueling stations scattered around Germany when a Tesla driver, who was recharging his own car, approached. The man was excited to see a hydrogen-powered car in action, and was brimming with Read More...