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.
This startup lets villagers create mini power grids for their neighbors
In a remote village Bangladeshi village called Shikarpur, until recently, few people had electricity. But a new system is beginning to connect the village’s handful of solar-powered homes with neighbors who can’t afford to own panels Read More...
How Dandelion is making geothermal heating affordable
Millions of US citizens still use oil and natural gas to heat their homes during the winter. Many would like to switch to geothermal, a cleaner and ultimately cheaper system that leverages the natural temperature of the Read More...
These 10 American cities are almost entirely powered by renewable energy
More than 80 cities in the US are moving in the direction of 100 percent clean energy use. Out of those 80, a small but growing handful are already sourcing 70 percent or more of their energy needs from solar, wind, geothermal and the like. Check out this showcase of the 10 American cities Read More...
Late to the party, German carmakers join race against Tesla
After years watching Tesla's electric cars speed ahead while they have been on the defensive over an industry-wide diesel emissions scandal, German high-end manufacturers have finally unveiled their first challengers to the Californian upstart. Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen's Audi Read More...
An algorithm is helping doctors decide whether to let coma patients keep living
It’s notoriously difficult to determine whether a person who has fallen into a coma will ever wake up. That’s why researchers in Beijing are developing a tool that uses an algorithm to find out what the future state will be of someone in a coma. Thus far, the researchers say the algorithm has Read More...
Researchers are restoring marine habitats using 3D printing coral reefs
Marine researchers are installing 3D-printed coral reefs to help restore habitats that are damaged as more coral reefs die. 3D printing artificial reef structures may sound like a gimmick, but research suggests it can help provide shelter to crustaceans, sponges, and anemones to form a marine Read More...
Fuel from thin air: the catch to a startup's sunny claims
Over the past few years, a number of scientists have made the seemingly outrageous claim that they could make fuel from thin air. The most recent announcement comes from Cornell University startup Dimensional Read More...
Making roads using solar panels may not be such a good idea after all
Placing solar panels beneath roads has become a popular idea over the last few years, with countries like China, France, and the US all developing so-called solar roads. But is it actually as good of an idea it sounds? The results say the costs of installing solar roads outweigh the Read More...
Flying cars may work best when tethered to power lines
Flying cars always work perfectly in the movies. But now that we’re close to actually building some, we’re finding they come with all sorts of Read More...
The view from an asteroid 280 million kilometers from Earth is incredible
It sounds like something out of a sci-fi film, but the space agency of Japan successfully landed two small rovers on an asteroid some 280 million kilometers away from earth. If you’re curious to see what the view is like from an asteroid, you have to check out these Read More...