On the last day of the nuclear fusion conference, the much-anticipated topic is finally coming.
The report time is scheduled at 3 p.m., but starting from 10 a.m., scholars from various countries have already arrived at the venue in advance, intending to seize the front row position.
However, they were disappointed to find that unlike the previous seats that could be changed at will, the seats for this report had already been arranged, name tags were placed on the table, and the security personnel in the conference room were watching eagerly. It seemed that as long as anyone was in the meeting If you reach out to those nameplates before starting, you will be pushed to the ground immediately.
This arrangement dissatisfied many delegates, especially after they studied it carefully and found that they could not figure out the logic of the seating arrangement.
"Why are you putting me in the last row? We are the top materials research and development institution in the industry. Are only official institutions qualified to participate in the research and development of new materials?"
A white man yelled in the venue, but the very polite conference staff simply answered him:
"Sorry, this was an arrangement that was made long ago."
"Then why is Brookhaven Laboratory at the top? They haven't had any outstanding results in recent years!"
"Sorry, the seats are not arranged according to the achievements of each institution. In addition, there are large screens in the venue, so it is actually the same wherever you sit."
"If it's the same, why not let them sit in the back?"
"Sorry, no."
Listening to the man's hysterical roar, Chen Nian, who was standing aside and watching the excitement, couldn't help but want to laugh.
But after thinking about it, although the other party's request was unreasonable, it was understandable.
After all, today's report is no different from a concert. As long as the financial means is sufficient, who doesn't want to sit closer and take a good look at the star he has been chasing for ten or even more than ten years?
If you can spend money to buy a seat, some people may have to spend all their money to buy a VIP seat.
You know, that's metallic hydrogen.
Although the way it first appeared was a bit strange - blowing up an island, this did not affect its top status in the field of peaceful technology.
After months of turmoil, and countless reports, speculations, and speculations, the significance of the first official announcement is self-evident.
It can be said that this is a historic moment.
So, who doesn’t want to witness history?
Therefore, there is nothing wrong with making a fuss for a while.
However, Eichendorf and Sebastian around Chen Nian didn't think so.
".See, this is AMMI."
"On the surface it is officially funded, but in fact it is just a purely commercial organization."
"They don't know how to respect science and technology at all. In their eyes, science is just a business that can be exchanged."
"This person actually has the nerve to accuse Brookhaven Laboratory, as if they have some major achievements - isn't what they do is to sell the new materials developed by others at the best possible price? "
Hearing Eichendorf's words, Sebastian nodded solemnly, seeming to agree very much.
On the other hand, Chen Nian still maintained basic objectivity and said:
"It can't be said that AMMI has also made contributions to the industrialization of new materials."
"After all, without them, many costly materials would end up sitting in the laboratory."
"You see, we also have a similar agency, the Civilian Science and Technology Development Office, which does similar things to them."
"totally different."
Before Eichendorf had time to speak, Sebastian spoke first:
"I know your organization well, and I even know its abbreviation - Office for Civil Development."
After a sentence of not very standard Chinese, Sebastian continued:
"But the Civil Development Office - well, I'll call it CTDO. In short, the way CTDO does things is completely different from AMMI."
"AMMI pursues maximum economic benefits, and the speed of capital appreciation determines the direction of their work."
"But what CTDO pursues is more social benefits, things that cannot be shown on paper or in ledgers."
"You are Chinese, you should understand this better than me."
"In recent years, CTDO's major projects include high-speed rail, chips, heavy machinery, new materials, etc. Almost every one of them has landed on the ground, and many people's lives have changed as a result."
"In comparison, AMMI is just the Johnson & Johnson of materials."
"Well, this judgment is indeed, um, very novel."
Chen Nian nodded slightly and did not continue to talk about this topic.
The reason is simple, he doesn't want to reveal too much about his views on certain things.
Although after several days of contact, the two scholars were indeed more open-minded than others, but this did not allow him to open his heart in front of each other.
In other words, seven points is enough to avoid unnecessary trouble.
While they were talking, several more representatives appeared from nowhere and ran up to question the seating issue. The scene was a bit chaotic for a while, and the three of them didn't bother to look anymore, so they returned to their seats.
"Coincidentally", Chen Nian and Chen Nian's "mentor" happened to be ranked adjacent to the Max Planck Laboratory.
"Oh, this is what you Chinese call 'fate', Chen, we are sitting together again."
"Yes, this is indeed fate."
Chen Nian replied with a smile.
He secretly thought:
Fate is a hammer, and I didn’t arrange it myself.
Sebastian and Eichendorf are both experts in the field of plasma control, and this field is also a key node in the technological breakthrough of the entire tokamak device.
The reason why we want to contact them is actually the same as Isaac's at the beginning, that is, we want to use their technical capabilities to improve our own technical foundation, thereby reducing the source point consumption of the entire technology.
——
Of course, now it's just a familiar face.
If we really want to find out, we have to wait until they officially enter the project.
After confirming their seats, the three of them did not intend to wait around at the venue. After lunch, they did not re-enter until after two o'clock.
By this time, the venue was already overcrowded.
Those scholars who had found various reasons not to attend the meeting in the past few days gathered under this dome building for the first time consciously and without any notice.
As the representative who gave the report walked onto the stage, the originally noisy conference room fell silent for an instant, but then an even louder noise erupted.
Everyone was whispering and discussing, and it seemed that the atmosphere had already become heated before the report officially started.
the reason is simple.
This mysterious reporter exceeded everyone's expectations.
He is Isaac.
"How come they let Isaac give the report - is he really the core of the project team?"
"How is it possible that Isaac said it himself before that he did not enter the core level until the end of the project."
"But how do you know what he said is true? Maybe this is just a random excuse for confidentiality?"
"That's impossible. If that's the case, at least Isaac will be exposed."
"Maybe he has already integrated into China's way of working."
Amid the discussion, Isaac coughed, then spoke into the microphone and said:
"Dear colleagues."
"Nice to meet you here."
"I think most of you should be surprised that I'm on stage."
"But there's no doubt that that's the truth."
"Of course, this does not mean that I am the most critical contributor to the metallic hydrogen project. In fact, everyone involved in this project has devoted their efforts and efforts to this super material that spans the ages."
"I was chosen for one reason only: to keep my other colleagues as safe as possible."
"This is indeed sad, because I don't know if I will encounter kidnapping, assassination, or threats after I walk out of this conference hall. But it doesn't matter, I will not back down."
"After all, my colleagues have accomplished great things, and all I can do is help them as much as possible to accomplish things that are less glorious but equally important."
"Okay, let's get to the point."
Isaac's opening remarks left many people present speechless. In fact, such opening remarks can be regarded as shocking no matter what type of international conference it is placed at.
After all, the main theme of most meetings is peace and cooperation. No one would display the things hidden under the table that are full of corruption and blood at such a time.
——
But it seems that this is indeed a last resort?
The significance of metallic hydrogen is so great that China had to take advantage of this opportunity and use Isaac's mouth to make a safety statement.
And if problems do arise in the future, the actions they can take will be much more generous.
After all, they had given the warning.
This idea flashed through everyone's mind. After a brief distraction, everyone in the conference room was quickly attracted by Isaac's report.
Before actually coming here, even those who have knowledge of high-pressure physics, metallic hydrogen materials, and Chinese projects would not regard Isaac as the core figure in this project, and even most people would not regard Isaac as the core figure in this project. Think he is just a mascot.
But Isaac's report completely overturned their views.
This report has strict logic, detailed experimental process, and even contains a small amount of specific experimental data for verification.
Anyone with scientific training can see that even if Isaac is not really the "core", the information he comes into contact with is not far from the core.
What surprised everyone even more was that after the extremely brief report compared to the reports of the previous few days, the Chinese side arranged a lot of time for interaction, and the questions and answers lasted for a full three hours.
The amount of information contained in these three hours has even exceeded the accumulation of several years in some small laboratories.
In particular, Isaac briefly mentioned the concept of preparing metallic hydrogen by electrochemical fusion, which can be said to have opened a long-closed door for many scholars who are obsessed with low-temperature and high-pressure preparation methods.
——
Yes, Isaac did not mention any more technical details with sufficient reference. This report alone is not enough for any other organization to figure out the industrial production method of metallic hydrogen.
But at least he made one thing clear.
That is:
By this method, metallic hydrogen can be produced.
Real scientific researchers are not actually worried about the long journey and the difficulties in the process. What they are afraid of is that the direction they have insisted on for a long time will eventually be proved wrong, and they are afraid that they will become a stepping stone for those who continue to move forward. The nameless people who were drowned in the torrent of history because of "trial and error".
So, as long as there is a direction, it is enough.
As the last question about the actual physical properties of metallic hydrogen was raised, the atmosphere of the entire report officially reached its climax.
Isaac stood on the stage with a satisfied smile on his face.
He clapped his hands gently, pointed to the person who asked the question, and said:
"Actually, I already knew you were going to ask this question."
"But I intentionally left it until last."
"The reason is simple - I think you should see it for yourself and feel it with your own eyes."
After the words fell, huge cheers surged in the conference hall.
Although it had long been expected that China would display a metallic hydrogen sample in this report, when the moment came, no one could suppress their excitement.
Even people who have nothing to do with this field are infected by the enthusiastic emotions.
Seeing everyone's reaction, Isaac high-fived him again.
Then, the small operating platform rose from the ground.
Isaac stepped forward and uncovered the red cloth on the operating table.
A rectangular object with a slight metallic luster appeared in front of everyone.
Is this metallic hydrogen?
The fabled Holy Grail of high-pressure physics?
Why does it feel so ordinary?
At this time, countless eyes were focused on the metal object, but what Isaac said next made everyone dumbfounded.
"Look, look carefully."
"It's just an ordinary neodymium magnet."
"Our protagonist hasn't appeared yet."
There was a burst of laughter in the venue, and even Chen Nian had to admit that this man did have an innate sense of humor.
——
With such expressiveness, it would be a pity not to be a stage actor.
After the laughter gradually died down, Isaac touched the pockets of his suit up and down, as if looking for something.
Then he took out a small glass tube from his pocket.
"It's here."
This move made everyone present widen their eyes, but for a moment, no sound could be made.
"Here is 0.2 grams of metastable metallic hydrogen - yes, it has the same properties as diamond and can remain metastable at normal temperatures and pressures."
There is no doubt that these words were like a thunder, completely shattering the decades-old mystery about this substance.
For a long time, no one could make a conclusion about the physical properties of metallic hydrogen. People didn't even know whether it could remain stable under normal pressure.
In other words, how much pressure is needed to keep it stable?
Now, the answer is obvious.
To maintain a metastable state, only one atmosphere of pressure is required.
At this time, Isaac on the stage had already walked towards the magnet.
He then suspended the carefully balanced glass tube above the magnet.
"Metallic hydrogen is known to be completely diamagnetic."
"The same is true for metastable metallic hydrogen."
As he spoke, he loosened his fingers.
After a brief tremor, the glass tube floated steadily above the magnet.
At this moment, the whole place was silent.
Everyone knows that what is suspended above the ground is definitely not just 0.2 grams of metallic hydrogen.
(End of chapter)
