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.
Making green fuels, no fossils required
Using solar or wind power to produce carbon-based fuels, which are commonly called fossil fuels, might seem like a self-defeating approach to making a greener world. But when the starting material is carbon dioxide, which can be dragged out of the air, the approach is as green as it gets. The Read More...
Honda just made a car that emits water vapor. Is this the start of a zero-emission economy?
Transportation accounts for 27 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. The race to a zero-emission economy is upon us, but not everyone is following Tesla's lead. Honda has improved the hydrogen fuel cell on its latest five-seat sedan, the FCV Clarity. But is it enough to upset Read More...
In Tokyo, the future of cars is electric!
It's an exciting time for green cars at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, and proof — if any more was needed — that the Japanese auto industry (like the American one, and, somewhat reluctantly, the German one) sees electric cars (and also fuel cells) as the wave of the future. The trend should Read More...
UK to build the world's largest offshore wind farm
The UK is set to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm 12 miles off the coast of Great Britain. The current largest offshore wind farm belongs to the UK as well, but this new one will generate even more power. In fact, this windfarm is expected to provide nearly a half million people with Read More...
Renewables key in race against climate change clock
Any plausible game plan for capping the rise of Earth's surface temperature depends on replacing fossil fuels with energy sources that generate little or no carbon pollution. That means renewables, especially solar and wind, both of which face fewer constraints to growth than more established clean Read More...
A world of greener cars is coming sooner than we ever might have guessed
If you’re an average consumer, you’ve had little reason to take electric cars seriously—they cost too much, and don’t go far enough on a charge. But starting about this time next year, you will. It’s hard to keep track of all the competing mainstream electrics coming Read More...
Progress made toward more powerful lithium-air battery for electric cars
Yes, electric cars are the future. But what type of green and clean future is it, when we get stuck if our car battery is dead? Scientists are working harder than ever to try and fix the electric car range-problem. And a new solution is in sight: the lithium-air battery. In theory, a lithium-air Read More...
The UK hopes to power its homes from the energy of Iceland's volcanoes
When it comes to renewable energy, Iceland is doing it right. The remote island country reportedly meets around 95% of its own electricity needs using the power of its volcanoes and now the UK hopes to enjoy the benefits of geothermal energy as well. The two countries have joined together to create Read More...
Study: Humans driving cars are more likely to hurt other humans than self-driving cars
With autonomous vehicle operators now required to report their crashes, we finally have some data to compare robot drivers to human drivers when it comes to road safety. Here’s one good argument for a robot-driving future: Human drivers are more likely to get in crashes that hurt or kill Read More...
This is what it's like to drive Toyota's hydrogen-powered car
Just as we get used to seeing electric cars on our roads, Toyota already wants to look to a new, potentially even greener future. The hydrogen-powered Mirai has just gone on sale and IBTimes UK was among the first to take it out for a spin. The Mirai combines oxygen in the atmosphere with hydrogen Read More...