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.
Vestas sets new wind energy record with giant turbine
A massive turbine developed by Danish wind energy company Vestas has set a new record producing 216,000 kWh over a 24-hour period. The Usain Bolt of wind turbines stands at 722 feet (220 m) at full height, with 38-ton blades that are 263 feet (80 m) in length for a total sweep area of 227,377 Read More...
How artificial intelligence could save the planet
In many respects, 2016 was the year of artificial intelligence (AI). Innovations such as big data, advances in machine learning and computing power, and algorithms capable of hearing and seeing with beyond-human accuracy have brought the benefits of AI to bear on our daily lives. By working Read More...
GM and Honda plunge $85M into hydrogen fuel cell push
General Motors and Honda today announce a joint venture to build next-generation fuel cell systems, adding fuel to the idea of hydrogen as a form of alternative propulsion. The collaboration, called Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, will set up shop in GM's Brownstown, Michigan plant where the Read More...
Drilling for good: Iceland is making a giant hole to capture geothermal energy
Iceland is already one of the world’s greatest users and suppliers of geothermal energy, producing nearly 26 percent of its energy from geothermal sources. Now the country is taking it a step further by boring a hole that extends 3.1 miles beneath the earth to take advantage of the extreme Read More...
Nordic countries are bringing about an energy transition worth copying
What can we learn from the Nordic low-carbon energy transition given the new US leadership vacuum on climate change? A new study by Professor Benjamin Sovacool at the University of Sussex offers some important lessons. The Trump administration's "First energy plan" criticises the "burdensome" Read More...
Shell to install chargers for electric cars on European forecourts
Royal Dutch Shell is preparing to introduce battery charging points at some European petrol stations and Total is working on a similar move as the region’s biggest oil groups react to rising sales of electric vehicles. A selection of Shell’s filling stations in Britain and the Netherlands — Read More...
No more excuses: Google Maps now flags parking problems in cities
It’s a familiar excuse: I was on time but I couldn’t find a parking spot. Soon, you may not so easily get away with that anymore. Google Maps has added a feature to indicate parking difficulties. So far, it only works for Android and only in 25 major U.S. Read More...
This Harvard breakthrough with hydrogen can change everything electricity
Hydrogen can play a major role in a clean, renewable energy economy. It can be used to store electricity generated by solar panels and windmills. The problem is that hydrogen is a gas and that makes it a challenge to store it. That’s why for nearly 100 years, scientists have dreamed of turning Read More...
New York approves country’s next largest offshore wind project
The Long Island Power Authority has approved the development of New York’s first, and the country’s second, offshore wind farm, the 90 megawatt South Fork Wind Farm. The United States’ offshore wind industry is, currently, not the world’s most impressive. The only project Read More...
China’s answer to Tesla is hopeful entrant to global car market
Across China, government officials, corporate executives, private investors and newcomers like Mr. Lu are in a headlong rush to develop a domestic electric car industry. The country’s goal, like Mr. Lu’s, is to capitalize on the transition to electric to turbocharge the country’s Read More...