my tech museum

Chapter 294 Assembly of Nuclear Fusion Device

"The controllable nuclear fusion device contains a number of core components. It may take a long time for us to develop all of them."

"Dean."

"Are we really not considering sourcing some components overseas?"

Thursday, June 2028, 4.

Binjiang City.

Ping County.

Future Science and Technology Nuclear Fusion Research Institute.

In the central space where the nuclear fusion device should be located, Pei Hongyin asked about the project.

At present, the laboratory is basically completed, and all kinds of equipment are needed to carry out experiments.

If you choose to purchase from overseas, the efficiency will undoubtedly be much faster.

But Xu Lei shook his head at this.

"No."

"The current mainstream nuclear fusion devices are basically tokamak superconducting magnetic confinement, but we adopt a composite design of magnetic confinement and inertial confinement."

"Rushily purchasing other people's components will only make the final effect of the device unsatisfactory."

Xu Lei knew that Pei Hongyin really wanted to get out the nuclear fusion device as soon as possible to completely solve the energy problem of mankind.

Let the eyes of the world gather.

But as the saying goes, you can't eat hot tofu in a hurry, and you must be careful about any steps in the nuclear fusion device.

Make sure nothing goes wrong.

Otherwise, even a small mistake may cause the entire project to fail.

So after he said this, he turned around and said comfortingly: "Don't worry, Mr. Pei, it's not difficult to manufacture these components with our company's capabilities."

"You just let the departments do their thing."

"I will ask Xingtong to conduct real-time inspections to ensure that our project does not go astray."

Now there are dozens of main scientific researchers in the entire institute, who are respectively in charge of core components such as the central superconducting magnet of the controllable nuclear fusion device, superconducting radiation-resistant materials in the cryogenic controller vacuum chamber, and so on.

Although these need to be manufactured from scratch, it is a new research direction.

But relying on the detailed model and star pupil assistance, plus his personal participation, I believe it will not be too troublesome to manufacture these components.

At that time, as long as the core components are in place, the installation of the nuclear fusion device can be officially started.

Also.

Now that Xu Lei has unlocked the relevant technology, he must build a 100% domestic nuclear fusion device and will never purchase components produced by overseas companies.

In fact, Pei Hongyin also understood what Xu Lei said.

It's just that he was really anxious.

After listening to these words in my heart, I quickly adjusted my state: "I am relieved to have the words of the dean, and I will supervise the manufacturing of each core component."

Xu Lei undoubtedly trusted Pei Hongyin's own ability.

What's more, he has also studied the model of the device.

Let him be in charge of the manufacturing of the core components of the device, and Xu Lei can free up his hands to deal with another equally important matter first.

That is, superconducting radiation-resistant materials.

In order to realize nuclear fusion power generation, how to achieve hundreds of millions of degrees Celsius and long-term confinement control of plasma stability are two particularly difficult difficulties.

Sustained, stable, highly confined high-performance ultra-high temperature plasma is the core of controllable nuclear fusion.

The collision of particles at high temperature causes the particles to cross the magnetic field lines in batches, carrying energy to escape.

The plasma boundary gradually blurred.

Finally, it drilled out of the magnetic cage and hit the inner wall of the reaction chamber.

A device designed in a complex form as soon as possible will improve the performance many times compared to the mainstream tokamak, and the density and maintenance time of the plasma are even more unimaginable.

But the material requirements for the reaction chamber are also extremely important.

This is related to whether the device can run stably for a long time.

In order to achieve perfection, the material must have good radiation resistance.

During the construction phase of the institute, Xu Lei handed over the task of researching superconducting radiation-resistant materials to Gu Sanlin.

Let him and his team temporarily stop all projects at hand and focus all their energy on this material.

It is a very tricky scientific research project to make the material maintain its original performance under irradiation.

It is basically impossible to easily conquer it.

Therefore, after several months of research, Gu Sanlin still hasn't made much progress.

The synthesized material failed to meet the test requirements.

In this case, Xu Lei can only spend more time on material issues, and use the relevant knowledge in his mind to conduct research and optimization.

Otherwise, there is still no way to complete the nuclear fusion device.

But it is worth mentioning that Yang Senping's efficiency is not bad.

When the first batch of ilmenite was mined from the moon and transported to the ground by a space elevator, half of it was directly divided and transported to Binjiang City.

Waiting for the next step of helium-3 resource extraction.

At this point in the simple conversation, Xu Lei didn't waste any time, told Pei Hongyin where he was going, and then turned and left.

Since the research of materials requires high-temperature synthesis, the newly built research institute obviously cannot meet this condition.

So during this period of time, Gu Sanlin's research site is still in the Longfor High-tech Park.

Pei Hongyin naturally understood what Xu Lei was busy with during this time, but he also understood the importance of materials, so he didn't say much.

As Xu Lei explained.

Now his main job is to be responsible for the manufacture of each core component.

These components can meet the test requirements and become the first device accessories for controlled nuclear fusion.

……

After driving away from the Nuclear Fusion Research Institute of Future Science and Technology, it didn't take long for Xu Lei to return to the research center of the company's Longhu High-tech Park, and went straight to Gu Sanlin's material research room.

"How's the situation?"

As soon as he entered, Xu Lei noticed Gu Sanlin who was wearing an operation suit. Unfortunately, he looked expressionless, holding a report in his hand, his eyes full of regret.

Apparently he just finished experimenting with the material.

Although Xu Lei almost guessed the result, he still stepped forward to say hello.

"I'm sorry, Dean, I've let you down." Seeing that it was Xu Lei who came over, Gu Sanlin forced a bitter smile and replied self-deprecatingly.

Speaking of which, this was the first time Xu Lei saw Gu Sanlin being hit hard.

He is completely different from the high-spirited top scientist in the field of materials.

Because Gu Sanlin produced quantum computers, space elevator star pupil mechanical bodies and other special materials needed in related fields, this is enough to prove his own ability, and he is a scientist worthy of careful training.

Moreover, compared to other researchers in the research center, his age is not too old.

It can be said that it has great potential.

This time Xu Lei entrusted him with the research and development task of superconducting radiation-resistant materials, which also meant to guide and cultivate.

Explained a lot of relevant knowledge points for it.

And it basically comes from the nuclear fusion technology in Xu Lei's mind.

However, the idea is very beautiful, but the reality makes people laugh.

In the past few months, although Gu Sanlin led the team to try several synthetic schemes of materials, none of the final test results met the requirements.

It cannot be used in nuclear fusion devices.

Perhaps with Gu Sanlin's ability, he will be able to overcome the problem of superconducting materials sooner or later, but this time cannot be fixed precisely.

Not to mention that the company is currently competing with the joint research team.

Pei Hongyin alone will definitely not wait for a long time because of material issues.

As the saying goes, when you see the light, you can no longer blend into the darkness. Now that Pei Hongyin has seen the brand-new nuclear fusion design scheme, his interest has been completely mobilized, and he just wants to manufacture the device as soon as possible and start experimenting.

Faced with this complicated situation, Xu Lei obviously had no other choice.

The synthesis of superconducting radiation-resistant materials can only be carried out by hand.

Although he has no deep experience in the field of materials, the detailed knowledge of nuclear fusion technology in his mind is enough to help him carry out practical operations.

At least the chance of successfully synthesizing materials is much higher than that of Gu Sanlin.

"You've done a good job, leave it to me." Thinking of this, Xu Lei casually took the test report from Gu Sanlin, and patted him on the shoulder to show comfort.

Look around.

Judging from the various data given in the report alone, there is indeed a big gap between the materials that can actually be used in nuclear fusion devices.

But Xu Lei is quite confident.

But Xu Lei didn't notice, just after he said these words, Gu Sanlin's eyes suddenly became hot.

The whole person still couldn't believe it.

"Dean."

"Are you finally going to do it yourself?"

"I knew that your attainments in the field of materials are absolutely unmatched."

In Xu Lei's speeches to the outside world, he has only learned a little in many fields, which belongs to the level of beginners.

And that includes the field of materials.

It's just that Gu Sanlin still doesn't believe it.

Thinking that every time, under Xu Lei's inadvertent guidance, I can suddenly open my mind, so that I can complete the project's material requirements in a short time.

This is definitely not a coincidence.

The most likely reason is that Xu Lei has deep research in the field of materials.

He is clearly omniscient and omnipotent, but he wants to hide his own level.

This is a question worth pondering.

Fortunately, he soon figured out the reason.

Obviously Xu Lei didn't want to steal all the limelight and leave more opportunities to researchers like them.

But although the other party, Gu Sanlin, was very moved, he also really wanted to see Xu Lei's level.

Now I finally have this opportunity, and it is also a superconducting material for the synthesis of controllable nuclear fusion devices.

How could he not be excited.

However, Xu Lei was quite confused by Gu Sanlin's performance, and he didn't expect the other party to have such a big reaction.

But considering that synthesizing superconducting materials is not a simple matter, he really didn't want to waste time, so he didn't say anything more, but went to the materials laboratory after changing into the operating suit.

As for Gu Sanlin, he followed closely behind.

According to the technical knowledge in my mind, the superconducting anti-irradiation materials used in nuclear fusion devices are mainly special alloy materials made of tungsten copper and other metals.

It needs to be synthesized under high temperature environment.

Because Gu Sanlin and his team have been conducting research on material synthesis for several months, there must be no shortage of raw materials, which can fully meet the needs of Xu Lei's experiment.

Speaking of which, Xu Lei is responsible for quite a few projects, but he is directly involved in the synthesis of materials.

In addition, everyone also wanted to see the real level of their dean in the field of materials, so they entered the laboratory with Gu Sanlin to observe Xu Lei's operation.

of course.

Xu Lei is definitely not responsible for the specific hands-on process.

In more cases, he still focuses on commanding.

that's it.

With the official start of the material synthesis experiment, the atmosphere in the entire laboratory suddenly became serious.

All the attention is on Xu Lei.

"Prepare to add raw materials, pay attention to temperature monitoring."

……

"Add catalyst."

"Adjust the temperature, increase the rpm.

……

"Food."

"High and low temperature cooling."

As Xu Lei issued orders in sequence, the raw materials were put into the high-temperature furnace, and the temperature, time and speed of the high-temperature furnace were strictly controlled.

Until repeated high and low temperature cooling, the final product is obtained.

It seems that Xu Lei's work is very easy, but the actual whole process takes more than ten hours and requires real-time monitoring of various data.

If there is any small mistake in the middle, the synthesized material will be flawed.

Failed the final test.

This is no small test for the body and spirit.

If you start from scratch, the complexity is unimaginable, and it basically depends on luck to synthesize it.

But Xu Lei is different.

Relying on the technical knowledge in your mind, as long as you are careful enough, you will basically not fail.

And the researchers who saw the whole process in their eyes were also full of shock at the moment. They never thought that their dean's research in the field of materials was much stronger than Gu Sanlin.

After the last cooling down, they couldn't help but whispered a few words.

"I didn't expect the dean to be so good at materials, easily reaching a level that Professor Gu couldn't reach."

"It seems that our dean is really an all-round academician!"

"This experiment is really not in vain, and I feel that my understanding of the materials is much clearer."

"The dean has good intentions. He usually behaves so low-key. It is obvious that he wants to leave us with more experimental opportunities to improve our level. It is a pity that we have failed the dean's expectations."

"Do you think you can pass the test this time?"

"I feel that there must be no problem. Haven't you seen the dean's confidence?"

Xu Lei could not escape the whispered discussions of the researchers beside him, but at this moment, he just wanted to test the synthesized materials as soon as possible.

As long as the data obtained from the test meets the material requirements of the nuclear fusion device, then Gu Sanlin and the others can start mass production.

The main reason may be that due to the particularity of materials, there are often very few available materials for each synthesis.

These are definitely not enough to build a nuclear fusion device.

It must be synthesized in large quantities.

At this point, Xu Lei turned around and said to Gu Sanlin without beating around the bush, "Take the materials and test them as soon as possible."

"Don't worry, Dean, the results will be available soon." Gu Sanlin replied hastily.

He has experimented so many times during this period, and he is quite familiar with the various processes of the materials. Before Xu Lei ordered him, he had already arranged for someone to take out the materials and send them to the testing room.

Next, this material will be tested for its superconducting radiation resistance in a high-temperature environment, and a conclusion can be drawn in a short time according to the advanced equipment in the laboratory.

……

Facts have proved that Xu Lei's decision to personally participate in the material synthesis is correct.

Soon.

When the test data of the material was reported, everyone present took a deep breath.

Because this newly synthesized new material not only fully meets the theoretical requirements of a controllable nuclear fusion device, but even exceeds it by a lot.

Using this material to build a reaction chamber in this way will have a longer life.

Ensure the stable operation of the nuclear fusion device.

Even Gu Sanlin was so shocked that the hands holding the report trembled slightly because of the excitement.

Previously, he really thought that Xu Lei had a deep research in the field of materials, but he really didn't expect to achieve this kind of result in just one experiment, which is really unimaginable.

After all, he has also conducted many experiments in the past few months, and he is well aware of the difficulty.

Any slight difference will result in a drop in material data.

But Xu Lei didn't seem to see any difficulty in this remote experiment.

It wasn't until this time that Gu Sanlin deeply understood that he still had a long way to go from Xu Lei in the field of materials that he was proud of.

"The data obtained from the material test has far exceeded the target value. This material is completely capable of being used in a controllable nuclear fusion device. This is definitely the best news I have heard in recent months."

Xu Lei didn't think about what Gu Sanlin was thinking, and immediately ordered new content in the next second, pulling him out of this joy.

"Right now is just the beginning."

"The next step is to synthesize more of this superconducting radiation-resistant material and deliver it to the research institute."

"So your task is still very heavy."

It is not an exaggeration to say that now Gu Sanlin and other scientific researchers seem to be in a state of extreme excitement.

So there is nothing wrong with Xu Lei's arrangement.

Quickly nodded and answered in unison.

"Don't worry, Dean, we will definitely work hard to ensure the development of the nuclear fusion project."

Seeing that one day passed like this, and temporarily solving the problem of superconducting radiation-resistant materials, Xu Lei couldn't help feeling a little tired.

Immediately afterwards, after explaining a few words to Gu Sanlin, he left temporarily, planning to return to his room to have a good rest.

After all, the manufacture and installation of subsequent nuclear fusion components is the tough battle.

-

Time flies by like a white horse.

With enough relevant materials provided by Gu Sanlin, and with the joint efforts of Xu Lei, Pei Hongyin and scientific researchers from various departments, the core components of the nuclear fusion device, such as the central magnet ring and the superconducting magnet cryogenic control vacuum chamber, were completed. manufacture.

Although the whole process was very hard and tiring, everyone's face was always filled with passionate fighting spirit.

Because they knew that the world's first nuclear fusion device was about to be born.

And it's still in their hands.

The next thing that the Future Science and Technology Nuclear Fusion Institute will do is to assemble the core components, and then ignite to formally test the effect of its fusion reaction.

October.

For the public, the holidays are just over.

However, it is always in working condition in the Nuclear Fusion Research Institute of Future Science and Technology.

"Dean."

"At present, the center magnet, ring and magnet of the vacuum chamber have been installed, and the low temperature controller will be assembled soon."

"It is estimated that the experiment will officially start in three days."

"Everyone has been waiting for this day for a long time."

In the space where the nuclear fusion device of the research institute is located, Pei Hongyin looked at the big guy with a diameter of nine meters and a height of four floors in front of him on the platform of the third floor, and he did not hide his smile when he spoke.

But because the nuclear fusion device of Future Technology is designed in a composite form, it looks like a huge twist that is a bit special.

This is very different in shape from the tokamak devices in other laboratories.

Although the device in front of it is not the largest laboratory in the world, the energy it outputs is definitely true controllable nuclear fusion, which is exactly the advantage of the stellarator.

When the experiment is successful, the nuclear fusion device can be reduced again so that it can be used in more fields.

Facing Pei Hongyin's report, Xu Lei did not respond directly, but instead stared intently at the low-temperature controller being assembled.

The so-called low-temperature controller is a device that isolates the ultra-high temperature of the vacuum reaction chamber and the magnet. If there is no such device, when the nuclear fusion reaction starts, the excess temperature of up to one billion degrees is enough to completely destroy the entire research institute.

Using this low-temperature controller, wrapping the core reaction chamber and the magnet inside can ensure that the outside temperature is normal and safe.

However, when the device is installed, the diameter of the nuclear fusion reactor will also reach 30 meters.

"Let's just set it in three days, and we'll announce the time later." After being immersed for more than ten seconds, Xu Lei looked away and looked at Pei Hongyin to make a decision.

But I have to say that Xu Lei is somewhat worried when his nuclear fusion device is about to be officially launched.

Relying on the technical knowledge in the mind can indeed reproduce the real nuclear fusion device and make it run stably and continuously, but these core components are manufactured by them after all, and no one can guarantee that there will be no problems during the experiment .

If it cannot continue to run, it will mark the failure of this experiment.

Need to start over.

After working so hard for so long, Xu Lei definitely doesn't want all his hard work to go to waste.

However, right now, he can only see the results after three days.

"You have to have confidence in yourself, Dean. In short, I am very confident that this time it will work." Perhaps seeing Xu Lei's slightly dignified face, Pei Hongyin did not forget to throw out such a sentence when he was ordered to leave.

In response to this, Xu Lei raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a smile.

The day.

As the photos of the future technology nuclear fusion device appeared on the Internet, and the official account of the institute posted a statement saying that the device would be officially launched in three days to start the experiment, it immediately detonated the originally calm Internet.

Netizens never expected that Future Technology would complete the construction of the nuclear fusion device in such a short period of time.

This speed is not known to be much faster than the artificial sun project back then.

As soon as possible, there were a lot of critical voices, thinking that something made so quickly must not work, but it also attracted the attention of many audiences.

Everyone wanted to see what the final experiment would turn out to be.

Will future technology create miracles again, or will it be forced to end in haste.

At the same time, at this time, the artificial sun international joint project located in Luyang Science Island also ushered in great progress.

(End of this chapter)