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.
Boeing is hosting competition to build the world’s first personal flying machine
Strap in. Boeing is sponsoring the GoFly competition, which aims to create the first personal flying device with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Read More...
This beautiful A/C system works without electricity
A new terracotta device can turn hot air into a cool breeze, pushing temperatures inside a room from over 107 Fahrenheit down to 97. According to its creator—Monish Siripurapu, founder of the Indian architectural firm Ant Studio—it works using hundreds of terracotta cones, wind, water Read More...
Peer-to-peer renewable energy markets are the future
To overcome the inconsistencies of renewable energy, we must make sure our energy systems utilize energy more efficiently. And the best way to do that is through peer-to-peer energy markets. In such a market, multiple residential solar panel systems can be connected to move excess energy from one Read More...
Could computational modeling solve what’s to come in the post-antibiotic era?
Ever since penicillin was accidentally discovered in 1928, numerous antibiotics have been created that have spared millions of lives from immeasurable suffering around the globe. The only problem is bacteria has a knack for developing resistance against antibiotics, and now we have entered an era Read More...
Wind power is now cheaper than nuclear—the energy revolution is happening
In March I went to see Henrik Poulsen, the boss of Dong Energy, in Copenhagen. Never heard of him or his company? You are not alone, but the chances are he is keeping your lights Read More...
A solid pathway toward hydrogen storage
An inexpensive and useful layered superconductor compound also may be an efficient solid-state material for storing hydrogen. The Department of Energy's (DOE) Energy Materials Network (EMN) consortium approach to accelerate material discovery and development is starting to pay Read More...
The future of transportation may be about sharing batteries, not vehicles
In the future, some transportation experts say, vehicles will no longer be individually owned. They envision a world of “fractional” ownership, in which autonomously driven taxis, operated by government or private entities, shuffle commuters around based on algorithmically optimized Read More...
Energy storage systems will provide a major boost to rooftop solar
For solar systems to truly be cost-effective for homeowners, having an energy storage system is key. Storage systems like the Tesla Powerwall allow homeowners to save any surplus of solar energy and use it at a later time like at night. As home storage systems continue to become more economical, Read More...
Dutch Royal Shell plans to build first ‘no-petrol’ station in London next year
As a part of its drive towards clean motoring, oil-giant Shell has announced it will open a “no-petrol” service station in central London next year. The station will offer motorists biofuels, electric vehicle charge points and hydrogen fuel pumps instead of traditional petrol and diesel pumps. Read More...
Solar energy just cleared a pricing target set for 2020
In Brief In 2011, the Department of Energy set a target of bringing the cost of solar energy down to six cents per kilowatt-hour by 2020, It's now been confirmed that goal has already been accomplished. The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that utility-grade solar panels have now reached Read More...