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.
Why California is a taking a break from generating new solar energy
California is well ahead of state targets for sourcing 25 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2020. In fact, the Golden State is producing so much renewable energy, particularly from solar, that it's taking a break from new renewable projects. California is regularly shunting electricity Read More...
EvoWheel converts almost any bicycle into an electric bike in just 30 seconds
Ready to give your old cruiser a swanky electric makeover? The innovative EvoWheel turns almost any old regular bike into a speedy e-bike in under 30 seconds. The brilliant design, which just launched a fund-raising campaign on Indiegogo, is an app-controlled wheel that gives regular bikes a Read More...
Researchers have created a solar cell that harvests energy from sunshine and rain
A team of Chinese engineers has turned solar energy’s worst enemy into a friend by developing a hybrid solar cell that can produce electricity from sunshine and rain. To do this, the researchers tapped into the motion of raindrops rolling off the surface of a solar cell using textured layers Read More...
Exxon is working on making algae the fuel of the future
Oil and gas giant Exxon Mobil says that in seven years time, they will be able to produce 10,000 barrels of algae biofuel a day. That may be a small drop in the amount of oil it produces, but it’s a huge boost in the amount of algae-based biofuel. Exxon sees major potential in algae-based fuel as Read More...
The world’s first flying car you can buy is now on sale
The Dutch company PAL-V is now taking orders for the PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition, which makes it the world’s first flying car you can actually buy, reports CNBC. The PAL-V Liberty Pioneer Edition is on display at the Geneva International Motor Show in Switzerland this week. It can hold two Read More...
Egg whites could help power a clean-energy future
Egg whites — they’re not just (a cholesterol-free) breakfast anymore. A Japanese researcher has found a way to use molecules from a protein-based chemical found in egg whites to generate hydrogen more efficiently, putting scientists a step closer to producing hydrogen from water without Read More...
This automated system translates between sign language and English
A Hungarian company has created the world’s first fully automated sign language translation system. The system uses webs cameras and a depth sensor to track the wide range of motions that come with sign language. While you may think signing simply uses hand movements to communicate, the language Read More...
The U.S. just hit a major milestone for energy storage—great news for solar
The United States has now added the capacity to store a billion watts of power for one hour and may double that total in 2018 alone, says a heady new forecast that highlights the rapid growth of the battery Read More...
This is the most powerful wind turbine in the world
Wind energy is on the up and up, and by that, we mean the size of turbines are getting bigger and bigger. Larger wind turbines reach higher in the air where the wind is stronger and produces more energy. This week, GE Renewable Energy announced what it calls the world’s most powerful wind Read More...
Tesla installing world's largest solar rooftop on Nevada gigafactory
Tesla has started building a massive rooftop solar array on top of its Gigafactory 1 (GF1) outside Sparks, Nevada. Once finished, the 70-megawatt system will be the largest in the world by far; the current record-holder is the comparatively shrimpy 11.5-megawatt array in India that can power Read More...