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.
Iowa's Largest Utility Eyes 100% Renewable Energy Goal
Iowa is already a wind energy superstar, and now, the state's largest utility is looking to completely transition to renewable energy sources. Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy, owned by Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett, recently invested $3.6 billion for Read More...
Creating cheap solar cells with an ingredient from a delicious Indian berry
The berries of the Jamun tree are popular in India. The fruit is known for its nutritional and medicinal value. It’s cheap and often sold on pavements and at traffic junctions. But Indian researchers have found a new benefit in the berries: They may be used to make solar panels far less Read More...
Powerhouse: The startup making solar the most accessible energy in the world
In a world flush with tech startups, Powerhouse is one of the only incubators focused on launching and growing solar companies. Since its launch in 2013, Powerhouse has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars collectively into 15 startups, and this summer plans to welcome another few solar Read More...
Watch Elon Musk’s TED talk on his grand tunnel plan, self-driving cars and more
Elon Musk, the CEO of at least three companies that we know of, was on stage at the 2017 TED conference in Vancouver last Friday, mostly blowing minds with a demonstration video for his vision of how a network of underground tunnels might ease traffic concerns. Musk talked about The Boring Company Read More...
How batteries could revolutionize renewable energy
All over California, there's evidence of the state's goal to lead the country in renewable energy. Enormous farms of shiny solar panels have popped up across southern California, and gigantic wind turbines dot the landscape Read More...
How biomimicry innovations are revolutionizing renewable energy
Nature has been doing research and development for some 4 billion years. Human existence is a direct result of all that research and human innovation has often been inspired by nature—looking at birds ultimately led to the invention of aircrafts. Recent advances in technology allow for a much Read More...
Forget self-driving cars. Automated public transportation is coming
Commuting into a city can be a nightmare, am I right? Maybe you're drumming your fingers through a traffic jam or squeezing onto an overcrowded train. Me, I live in London and I know how bad the underground system can get at rush hour. If the tube is delayed or being repaired, getting to and from Read More...
If India meets renewables target, no more coal power needed in 10 years
As the prospects for coal-generated electricity recede globally, India is one of the last bastions of the world's oldest, dirtiest energy source -- although construction of new coal-fired power plants is faltering. From January 2016 to January 2017, development of coal-fired power capacity fell Read More...
Scientists closer to ultimate carbon solution: artificial photosynthesis
We publish these stories about technological innovation with some regularity in The Optimist Daily. The breakthrough potential is not always easy to grasp. But we continue to present these stories because they show that ongoing innovation will change our future for the better—as it always has. Read More...
This advance brings us a lot closer to a "hydrogen economy"
Hydrogen is currently used to upgrade crude oil and synthesize ammonia, a critical building block of the fertilizers applied in modern agriculture. It also could be valuable as a feedstock for generating green electricity and as an ingredient in environmentally friendly fuel cells to power cars and Read More...