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.
‘Stonehenge builders used Pythagoras' theorem 2,000 years before he was born’
A new book has re-examined the ancient geometry of Stonehenge and concludes the monument was constructed by sophisticated astronomers who understood lengthy lunar, solar and eclipse cycles and built huge stone calendars using complex Read More...
New heat pump technology heats and cools houses at lower cost
There have been a number of heat pump technologies we've covered over the years, from the basic ground source heat pumps (which Lloyd has criticized on more than one occasion for being good at cooling, but not so much at heating) to tapping heat from sewage pipes or even our clothes Read More...
New material for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen
Solar energy is clean and abundant. But when the sun isn't shining, you must store the energy in batteries or through a process called photocatalysis -- in which solar energy is used to make fuels. In photocatalytic water splitting, sunlight separates water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen Read More...
London will be powered with 100 percent renewable energy by October 2018
The City of London is partnering with schools, social housing projects, stores and 11,000 acres of green space, at which renewable energy capacity will be installed. The city has announced that 100 percent renewable energy will be achieved by October this year. London is among the many Read More...
Advantage Africa: leapfrogging to cheap renewable electricity and microgrids
Most of Africa is still dark. Two-thirds of the people of the continent have no access to reliable electricity. The good news is that the fast development of the renewable energy technology makes it possible for Africa to leapfrog to a clean energy economy. The combination of solar and wind Read More...
China launches ‘solar coaster’ with subsidy cuts
Some speak of a “solar-coaster”—the decision by China to eliminate subsidies for most of its solar projects. The decision will definitely have a short-term impact on the growth of solar installations. However, the measure also confirms that solar has arrived as the next leader in the energy Read More...
Kymco’s new electric scooters could be the sign of a coming boom
One of the most exciting product announcements to happen at the Consumer Electronics show over the past few years was the Gogoro electric scooter. It’s not just that it was slick-looking, or fast, or that the company was promising a clever battery swap station model to help ease the problem of Read More...
What if Canada had spent $200bn on wind energy instead of oil?
In explaining Canada's decision to nationalize the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline for $4.5bn, Bill Morneau went hard on the economic argument. “Make no mistake,” the finance minister said. “This is an investment in Canada’s future.” In fact, since 1999, more than $200bn has been Read More...
See how algae could change our world
Charles Greene is a climate scientist who looks at the impact of climate on marine ecosystems. He's a Professor of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences at Cornell University and member of the Marine Algae Industrialization Consortium (MAGIC) which has a grant from the Department of Energy to look Read More...
Seasonal window glass directs light and heat
Swiss researchers have developed seasonal window glass that could make certain soft furnishings redundant. Office workers and homeowners no longer have to block their own view in order to keep indoor space cool. Now, during the summer months, treated windows covered in a film containing micro Read More...