China has temporarily ignored the conditions proposed by the United States. After all, in a transaction, the person who bids first is often at a disadvantage.
Not to mention that it is still a typical seller's market. Before Lao America has come up with enough conditions to arouse China's interest, not answering is the best answer.
But Chen Nian is actually also curious, to what extent can it arouse China's interest?
A pure technology transaction is definitely impossible. As Chen Guo said, "NASA needs to come forward" rather than "NASA needs to give out a technology exchange list."
Looking back a few years, whether it is aviation, aerospace, precision manufacturing, electronics, biology, etc., they are all attractive to China.
But now one effort can reduce ten. After the birth of room temperature superconducting materials, the technical barriers in these fields have naturally been lowered.
Take the agricultural technology proposed by the US this time as an example. What technologies can they come up with?
It is nothing more than seedlings and transgenics. The core is to increase the yield of agricultural products.
But the problem is, I already have metallic hydrogen, and the fusion reactor is just around the corner. What else do I need from you?
Large-scale vertical farms are built, directly replacing the role of land with multi-layer planting racks and nutrient solutions, replacing sunlight with artificial light sources, and even the composition of the air can be accurately adjusted.
In such a technological environment, the role of seedlings can be largely replaced - of course, transgenic and gene editing technologies are still useful, but in the face of absolute energy advantages, their importance and urgency are not highlighted.
This is true for agriculture, let alone other fields.
After normal temperature superconductivity enters the application stage, most fields will enter a period of rapid change. Electric aircraft are likely to quickly replace existing fossil fuel engine aircraft, and the fields of chips and microelectronics will face disruptive changes.
All in all, the world is about to change dramatically.
The only things that can still be attractive to China now, apart from those "island technologies" that are not affected by the great changes, are probably the only technologies that can form a huge transitional effect in the short term and connect the past and the future.
Or, not just technology, but also resources, money, and even manpower?
Chen Nian shook his head. This was indeed beyond the scope of his concern.
There has been no breakthrough in the issue of first wall materials. His job this afternoon is to continue discussing technical issues related to high temperature resistance and radiation resistance materials with members of the tinder team.
Getting on a special car, he arrived at the materials laboratory that Xinghuo had specially built near Chengdu Aircraft Co., Ltd. for the convenience of his work. Chen Nian opened the door of the laboratory and was already in place. In fact, he had never left the laboratory since the group was established. The engineers all looked at him, with some expectation on their faces.
They did not know the details of the work of the previous plasma group, but they had more or less heard some stories about the implementation of plasma control technology.
In their view, Chen Nian is a role similar to a "high-level messenger". Every time he comes, he may bring about the research and development results of the so-called "Spark Core Group".
But unfortunately, Chen Nian let them down.
"What happened to yesterday's discussion on multi-scale modeling of Benedictine radiation damage? Were there any new findings after the data was entered?"
he asked.
"Yes, we have completed the modeling and conducted simulation analysis on some data. Judging from the current situation, there is no problem with the completeness of this model, and the analysis results are also in line with our expectations."
"It's a great tool for subsequent radiation damage analysis - but to be honest, it's not as helpful as we thought."
"Relatively speaking, what we discussed yesterday about the atomic-scale exploration of radiation-induced separation is more instructive. At least it provides some good ideas for the study of crystal recrystallization."
The person who answered Chen Nian was Guo Qi. He was an old acquaintance with Chen Nian and knew very well how Chen Nian worked, so he quickly got into the mood after Chen Nian appeared.
Although his previous research direction was not closely related to radiation resistance, he adapted quickly and was basically able to keep up with the group's progress.
"But we also need better simulation methods. Let's not discuss this for now. Did the furnace burn today?"
Chen Nian continued to ask.
In the past few days, in addition to doing some basic theoretical research, the team's final task is to burn the furnace and try to create a new material based on boron nitride.
But so far, the results have not been outstanding.
"Burn, burn, we have just finished feeding, and the first batch of boron nitride flakes will be out soon."
Chen Nian nodded slightly and did not continue to ask further.
The subsequent experimental process is basically standardized - or to a certain extent, it is not much different from alchemy.
Based on existing theories, try to add various "impurities" to the material, or use hot isostatic pressing equipment to do some pressing and sintering, trying to change the crystal structure of the material itself to achieve a more stable effect.
As for whether it can be done?
Depends on fate.
Otherwise, how can we say that materials science is a subject of drawing cards?
Nowadays, there are quite a lot of research on anti-irradiation properties. The team can at least determine a general direction of "realizing crystal self-healing through atomic diffusion". If it is put in other relatively new directions, it will really be in the dark. As I walked forward, I didn’t even know if there was a road ahead.
After half a day, the team’s results were still unsatisfactory.
However, no one expressed disappointment.
In fact, everyone has long been accustomed to it - you can't expect to win a top prize just by buying a lottery ticket. You have to persist in buying it to achieve results.
At eight o'clock in the evening, the day's work came to an end. A few researchers still wanted to stay to deal with the remaining finishing work. Guo Qi told them to arrange their rest time and pack their equipment and raw materials before following Chen Nian out. Laboratory building.
At this time, there was no "dejected" look on his face at all. Instead, he confidently asked Chen Nian:
"How long will it take for our current experiment?"
Chen Nian was stunned for a moment and asked subconsciously:
"How long does it take to do this?"
"It's just about how long it will take to get results - anyway, I know you must have an idea."
Hearing this, Chen Nian couldn't help but feel a little funny.
Guo Qi's ideas are indeed different from others. In the eyes of others, this group is indeed very strong, but if you say that it will be able to produce the first wall of materials, that is not necessarily true.
After all, things in materials science are too random, and sometimes problems cannot be solved simply by relying on technical strength.
But what about Guo Qi?
He probably felt that what Chen Nian was doing now was just a preliminary verification.
Once the ideas in your mind are almost verified, the final result will come naturally.
——
It has to be said that although his guess may not be correct, it is not wrong either.
Chen Nian didn't intend to hide too much from him, so after thinking for a moment, he replied:
"There is really no way to determine the specific time."
"However, we are also working against the progress of the EAST project. We must produce results before the superconducting coil is completed."
"Three months, that's the goal for now - but don't tell the group, this thing already involves confidential information."
Although they belong to the same group, Guo Qi's status is completely different from that of Pan Qingwei and others before him. He had close contact with Chen Nian when Chen Nian was still at NPU, and also participated in the earliest projects of Spark, so in The level of confidentiality is much higher.
This is why there are some things that Chen Nian cannot say to Pan Qingwei, but he can say to Guo Qi.
"I understand, I understand this most basic thing without you having to tell me."
Guo Qi answered quickly, but then he showed a slightly emotional expression.
"However, our meeting was really in a hurry this time. It has been almost a month since we got here, and it was only today that we had a few serious conversations."
"You still have the same style as before, straight to the point."
"I still remember that when I was at the Western Materials Research Institute, you took Lao Chen's introduction to my laboratory to borrow a hot isostatic press, and said you wanted to increase TC4. This dazzling moment, 10 years have almost passed. .”
Hearing his words, Chen Nian laughed and replied:
"8 years, there is still two years difference between 10 years and 10 years. Can this be rounded off?"
"It's not too different - you're interrupting me. I just wanted to express my feelings about the passage of time."
"You don't know that our Materials Research Institute was really in difficulty during that time. We couldn't produce results, our funds were tight, and we couldn't see the future."
"I don't know how many of my students have changed careers and taken jobs that they would have looked down upon."
"It was only after you came that the situation gradually got better."
"I have been looking for a chance to meet you in the past few years, but I thought you might not have time, so I delayed it."
"I didn't expect to do this project. It's a bit unexpected that you thought of me."
Guo Qi's words revealed a kind of sincere gratitude. In his opinion, although he has made considerable progress in the past few years and has gradually entered the top circles in the field of domestic materials science, he still needs to get in touch with A big project like the first wall material is still not that easy.
Therefore, objectively speaking, this opportunity was given to him by Chen Nian.
This is an important opportunity for him to take another step forward.
——
However, Chen Nian's ideas were completely different from his. As discussed with Chen Guo before, the reason why he wanted to find Guo Qi was not because of the key role he could play in this project, but more because of his The technical prowess is sufficient and the role is “appropriate”.
To put it bluntly, Guo Qi is the one who can suppress the formation under the premise that his identity cannot be revealed easily.
This little experience is also summed up from previous plasma projects.
Thinking of this, Chen Nian opened his mouth and replied:
"There is nothing unexpected about this. The reason why I came to you is also the result of many organizational considerations. Don't think too much."
"Without you here, the people's hearts and minds below would have been much more serious."
"After all, this is not a purely theoretical project, and the project cycle is short. If there is no leader who stands on the bright side, I am really afraid that the project team will disperse."
"--But speaking of which, how is the overall atmosphere now?"
After hearing Chen Nian's words, Guo Qi hesitated for a moment and answered:
“Overall, I can’t say it’s very good, but it basically meets the requirements.”
"As you know, the outside world has high expectations for the EAST project. Most people think that if we dare to launch such a project, we must have made comprehensive technical preparations."
"But in fact, the information obtained by the Tinder team is that the technology of the first wall material has not yet been developed."
"So for them, it's a major conflict and a major pressure."
"However, the members here are without exception elites in the field, and they still have confidence in themselves."
"It is this kind of confidence that maintains the operation of the group. Otherwise, one person will start. What is the name of that word you said before?"
"Displayed."
Chen Nian added.
"Yes, it's a mess. As long as one person starts to mess it up, the project will collapse quickly."
Chen Nian nodded. He could understand the pressure the project team was facing, so he could also understand the possibility of this happening.
In fact, what they need to deal with is far more than just the "pressure caused by contradictions." Regarding the EAST project, the entire academic community has never stopped questioning it.
Just a few days ago, the United States released the latest research progress on first-wall materials. According to their progress, the entire academic community is relatively pessimistic about the development of first-wall material technology.
——
This is actually true.
Let alone now, even ten years from now, mankind has not completely solved this problem.
Therefore, it is normal to have doubts, and it can even be said to be natural.
"It's up to you to handle this."
Chen Nian said.
"Don't worry, I know it."
The conversation between the two about the laboratory ended. On the way to the restaurant, their conversation gradually began to turn to the trivial matters in life. Chen Nian complained that the recent healthy meals were getting more and more unpalatable, while Guo Qi took She acted like a "experienced person" and advised him to take good care of his body.
"You don't feel it yet, but when you get to my age, physical problems will gradually emerge."
"With the development of our current medical technology, many things will still not be solved in the next few decades."
"Take me for example, gout, doesn't sound like a big deal, right? But hey, guess what, it still can't be cured."
"So, you still have to listen to what the doctor says."
Guo Qi's tone made Chen Nian sympathize and want to laugh at the same time. His mind turned around and he subconsciously opened the system and searched for "solution to gout". However, this thing did not seem to be displayed on the device level, so he did not get any results. .
It seems that he can only deal with the pain for the time being - Chen Nian originally planned that if this thing didn't have high requirements for the source point, he would just solve it casually.
Before shutting down the system, Chen Nian took a look at the latest analysis requirements for the first wall material, wanting to determine the rate of decline brought about by recent research.
But it was this glance that made him freeze on the spot.
[Nuclear fusion first wall material: 12 source points]
Chen Nian's eyes widened in surprise. Guo Qi on the side saw his expression and immediately asked:
"What's wrong?"
He shook his head and did not answer, but his heart was already overturned.
Someone has produced the first wall material.
Moreover, according to the system's "accessible" principle, this thing seems to be available in China!
(End of chapter)
