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.
Lime launches its first car-sharing service in Seattle
It's true: after a long time focusing on scooters, Lime is ready to delve into four-wheeled transportation. The startup is launching a car-sharing service, LimePod, that will be available in Seattle as of this Read More...
These blinds could reduce your energy consumption by 70 percent
This company specializes in making window blinds that not only keep the sunlight out but also work as solar panels to generate electricity. The blinds have a sensor that tracks the location of the sun and change their angles according to its location. If installed outside of a south-facing window, Read More...
Building new wind farms has become cheaper than maintaining existing coal plants
Wind farms are now overtaking coal plants in terms of construction and maintenance costs. An annual analysis report which measures the costs of different types of energy has shown that building a new utility-scale solar or wind farm costs less than operating an existing coal plant. Depending on the Read More...
Self-driving trucks in US offer window into where machines may replace humans
Sixteen tons of aluminum and steel, handed over to an algorithm? Welcome to tomorrow on the nation’s Read More...
China will soon jumpstart the global electric car industry
China is setting the example for how to properly stimulate car manufacturers to veer towards the production of more sustainable, clean energy vehicles. Starting 2019, the country will punish car firms unless they meet quotas for zero- and low-emission vehicles. Should they not fulfill their quota, Read More...
This cheap, clean, electric airplane could reshape regional air travel
An airplane called Alice could reshape regional travel as we know it, according to Israeli-based electric aircraft maker Eviation that is building the first of its all-electric passenger aircraft in France. The all-electric aircraft will carry up to 9 passengers, have a range of up to 1,000kms, and Read More...
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...