I was wondering about that too! And apparently some efforts are underway: 1. https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/putting-the-blockchain-to-work-for-science-gr

I was wondering about that too! And apparently some efforts are underway: 1. https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/putting-the-blockchain-to-work-for-science-gridcoin-1400747268 https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/putting-the-blockchain-... 2. https://www.gridcoin.us/ https://www.gridcoin.us/ 3. http://www.coindesk.com/5-global-problems-bitcoins-proof-work-can-help-solve/ http://www.coindesk.com/5-global-problems-bitcoins-proof-wor...