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.
Tiny robot marks a step towards using devices in humans
Researchers invented a tiny "minimalist robot" that looks like a caterpillar and can perform a wide range of movements, including jumping, crawling through tunnels, and climbing out of a pool. It is designed to deliver drugs to specific targets in the human Read More...
Why scientists are on a quest to make planet-saving pavement
Pavement may not seem complicated, but it is. Concrete is made of aggregate, tiny bits of sand, crushed stone, and gravel. Asphalt is composed of sand, gravel, and bitumen, a byproduct of oil petroleum production. Both can go into pavement. How much does just obtaining these materials tax the Read More...
What happens if we start solar geo-engineering—and then suddenly stop?
Volcanoes, nuclear war, and solar geo-engineering. With a research portfolio that includes all three, Alan Robock is used to thinking about sudden, catastrophic change. A professor of environmental science at Rutgers University, Robock studies the movement of small particles and liquids through Read More...
Glucose-tracking smart contact lens is comfortable enough to wear
The concept of a smart contact lens has been around for a while. To date, though, they haven't been all that comfortable: they tend to have electronics built into hard substrates that make for a lens which can distort your vision, break down and otherwise cause discomfort. A team of Korean Read More...
Volvo to put electric trucks on the road this year
This week, Volvo is adding itself to the list of many truck manufacturers working on electric trucks. The Swedish group says that it will bring the electric trucks to the road as soon as this year, starting with a line of medium-sized Read More...
Commercial flights on electric planes could be a reality sooner than you think.
Norway’s major airport infrastructure operator announced it wants to have 100 percent of all short-haul flights to be fully electric by 2040 at the latest. We’re talking about flights of about 1.5 hours or less, but still, it’s a big deal. For one, short-haul flights are far more polluting Read More...
Even without subsidies, renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels in America
Despite Trump’s efforts, renewable energy costs continue to decline while fossil fuels get pushed further from profitability. In fact, building new wind is actually cheaper than running existing coal in many parts of the U.S. Considering that this has all happened without the help of subsidies, Read More...
The craft brewery that runs on the sun
Thor Cheston loves craft beer so much, he was made a knight in Belgium, the global brewing capital. He's also a clean energy geek. When he founded Right Proper Brewing in Washington, DC, he invested in rooftop solar panels and energy efficiency. Cheston recently spoke about his passion for Read More...
Cheap grid-level power storage could be possible with molten salt batteries
While renewables are advancing faster than anyone could have imagined in terms of efficiency and price, we still don’t have the storage capabilities needed to transition entirely to clean energy. Lithium batteries are amazing for storing energy in electric cars, but they’re too expensive to be Read More...
Blockchain technology could help combat illegal tuna fishing
Blockchain technology is rapidly evolving beyond Bitcoin and being applied to different industries. One way it can help clean up the fishing industry is by bringing some much needed supply-chain transparency. The WWF is set to test out blockchain technology by keeping track of every step of the Read More...