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.
Electric vehicle charge points to outnumber petrol stations by 2020, say Nissan
Public electric vehicle (EV) charge points will outnumber petrol stations in the UK by the end of the decade, marking a potential tipping point in the adoption of zero emission vehicles. That is the conclusion of a new analysis by auto giant and EV manufacturer Nissan, which argues that based on Read More...
Mining town Coober Pedy shows the rest of Australia how to turn to renewables
Coober Pedy is the epitome of the Australian mining town. Located in the South Australian outback, it is as famous for its opals as it is for the extraordinary underground housing that has become a feature of its way of life. Now the township of 3,500 people may be about to make a name for itself Read More...
A 'bionic leaf' turns solar energy into chemicals and fuels
Photosynthesis – turning the sun’s energy into food for plants – is the biological system that feeds the world. But despite its awesome power, the process is extremely inefficient. We can’t really blame plants for this because photosynthesis evolved for ancient earth’s Read More...
Introducing to you the "virtual power plant"
In Los Angeles, utility companies aren’t solely relying on fossil fuels to feed the city’s hunger for energy. Instead, they are turning to “virtual power plants”: sprawling networks of independent batteries, solar panels, and energy-efficient buildings that are tied together and remotely Read More...
This U.S. town plans to disconnect from the grid and go 100% renewables
Nassau, New York, a town of 5,000 people just outside of Albany, New York, plans to disconnect from the electrical grid. Last week, the town board voted to get 100 percent of its power from renewables by 2020. The town is making the move both as a way to "increase its reliance on renewable sources Read More...
One of the main arguments against windfarms has been proven false
Opponents of wind farms have long argued that the sight of turbines on the horizon damages tourism. If this sounds like nonsense, that’s because it is, according to a new study. This argument has actually succeeded in halting the construction of wind farms in the past, but a new study finds that Read More...
Storage can replace gas in our electricity networks and boost renewables
Energy storage could replace peak gas in our electricity network. That’s the finding of a study that my colleagues and I recently published in the Journal of Applied Energy. Energy storage is often considered the holy grail of the electricity sector. Tesla’s Powerwall home battery Read More...
New technology uses photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide into fuel
Carbon dioxide is a problem; the source of global warming. Right? Yes. But CO2 can also be a solution. Researchers have created a technology that mimics a plant’s ability to inhale carbon dioxide and, with water, convert it into glucose and oxygen. In the process, a synthetic fuel is created Read More...
Polish electric car producer on horizon?
As I just wrote, two Polish cities (Kraków and Wrocław, where I live) are each planning to launch 200-car electric carsharing programs. Furthermore, a startup is aiming to launch electric carsharing in Poznan, Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Tricity, and Łódź; and Read More...
Tesla Motors and SolarCity reach deal to merge
Elon Musk took another step in combining his electric-car company with his solar-energy company, announcing on Monday that the two had reached a $2.6 billion agreement. Independent members of both boards approved a deal in which the car company, Tesla Motors, will acquire SolarCity for stock, Read More...