The Imperial Age with the Resurgence of Han Style

Chapter 291 Industrial Change
"Wow! It's bright, it's bright!"

"It's really amazing, it's even brighter than a gas lamp!"

"It's not only brighter than a gas lamp, but also, have you noticed, it's very clean and doesn't smell like gas."

"Can this thing replace gas lighting?"

"It's hard to tell. Didn't you see that in order to energize the arc lamp, a person has to shake the generator vigorously?"

"You don't have to use a hand-cranked generator, right? You can get some batteries to light up the arc lamp like the telegraph station, right?"

"If a small household puts a bunch of batteries in the house and then connects it to an arc lamp, it would be quite complicated! ... This thing is far less convenient than gas lamps!"

"..."

An arc lamp demonstration was being held at the Electric Power Research Institute building of the Royal Academy of Sciences in Weiyang County, Chang'an Prefecture (today's Highfields Town, Toowoomba City). Representatives from the Royal Science Foundation, many universities and scientific research institutions were also invited. Scholars, experts, and many government officials from the Cabinet’s Ministry of Industrial Development, Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Culture, and Industrial Promotion Council came to watch.

This arc lamp display was, to put it bluntly, an on-site show, allowing the experts, scholars and officials present to witness the latest scientific research results of the Electric Power Research Institute, and to obtain some financial support from relevant departments.

Feng Chaoyu, a senior researcher at the Electric Power Research Institute, is responsible for designing the first practical automatic feeding mechanism for carbon arc lamps. The arc lamp he made in the first year of Yonglong used a clock mechanism whereby the carbon rod could be fed and energized at a fixed rate.

However, this mechanism has an obvious shortcoming, which is that the power supply is unstable, making the arc lamp flicker like a will-o'-the-wisp. So Feng Chaoyu introduced his "Solid Thermal Dilatometer Principle" in March this year, which takes advantage of the fact that when the carbon rod is consumed, the heat radiated by the arc increases along with the length of the arc.

In Feng's latest device, this heat causes a copper wire to expand, lifting a pawl and allowing a load-bearing gear train that meshes with a rack to push the shortened carbon rod upward.

Half a month ago, another electric power researcher improved some mechanisms of the arc lamp to make its energization state more stable and continuous. Together with Feng Chaoyu, he conducted continuous lighting experiments in the institute for more than 20 days.

After seeing the excellent performance of the arc lamp, the head of the institute, who was troubled by insufficient funding from the royal fund, immediately asked the two to conduct a public demonstration in order to gain more attention and investment.

On May 5, as one invitation letter after another was sent out, it immediately attracted strong interest from “artists, scientists, engineers, gas owners, patent owners of various lighting fixtures, and many wise and famous people”, who all came by carriage. Weiyang County, watch and experience this "epoch-making" lighting tool.

Qi has been studying electricity for nearly fifty years. After summarizing and absorbing existing research results from around the world, it has made many new discoveries and inventions, and is far ahead of all its opponents in many fields.

Zinc plate batteries, lead batteries, electromagnetic generators and wired telegraphs are among the most outstanding scientific and technological achievements.

The Electric Power Research Institute of the Royal Academy of Sciences was established in the 1684th year of the Han Dynasty () in line with Emperor Taizu's personal order to achieve the goal of the so-called "second industrial revolution", and received key support from the royal fund.

However, after the death of Emperor Taizu, both the royal fund and the government's investment in overall electric power science research gradually declined, and only two projects, wired telegraphy and storage batteries, maintained sufficient attention.

According to what Emperor Taizu once said, in the future industrial development field, electricity will completely replace the role of steam engines, thus bringing Qi and even the entire world into the "Electrical Age."

Regardless of whether Emperor Taizu's prediction is accurate or not, given the current status of Qi's industrial development, many people are skeptical and... indifferent to the above remarks.

How can it be so easy for electricity to replace steam engines?
It should be noted that in order to research and promote the use of steam engines, the State of Qi invested an astronomical amount of manpower, material and financial resources. It took decades to finally popularize the application of steam engines nationwide, and thus promoted the State of Qi to To become one of the industrial powers and the world's hegemon, China has established its technological advantages and industrial scale advantages over all countries.

Not to mention that the research and development of electric power science has yet to see practical results - of course, the importance of wired telegraphy is undoubted, and it is considered the most outstanding achievement of electromagnetism - it has no practical significance. Even if electric power technology is fully mature, it does not mean that it can completely replace the steam engine.

From the central government to local governments, from the mainland to overseas colonial territories, from large industrial machinery companies to small family workshops, there are tens of millions of steam engines equipped and used. Could it be that just because of the emergence of electric power technology, they will be eliminated one by one, and then Spend a huge amount of money to replace the corresponding electric drive machine?

At this time, whether it is China mainland or European countries, I am afraid that they have not even understood the steam engine!
It is foreseeable that before there is a major breakthrough in electric power science and technology or before it plays a huge role, the Qi government and many industrial enterprises will not rashly turn to a new "industrial revolution". At the very least, they must consider the function and value of the steam engine. Utilized to the extreme, steam power may eventually be reluctantly replaced by electricity.

If you invest too much rashly, once some breakthrough is achieved in electric power science, those late-developing countries will surely realize that this new technological revolution will prompt them to shorten the gap with Qi, and thus they will switch tracks in time. No longer bothering to research and introduce steam engines, Qi State gave up its existing advantages in steam power technology.

Although some electric power researchers have found that the advantages of electric motors are unparalleled through comparisons between simple hand-operated motors and existing mature steam engines. They have already foreseen that electricity must be the ultimate development trend of industrial power and represent unlimited hope for the future.

However, according to the technology development plan of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Qi and the Royal Academy, the current mission of the electric power research institution is to verify many scientific ideas in the field of electrical research, produce and manufacture electrical testing instruments, primary generators and other basic power equipment, research and accumulate Electrical theory and practical experience. As for the launch of commercial products or specific practical applications, it is not within the development goals of electrical research institutions, which are purely scientific research and experimental institutions. In order to maintain confidentiality, the Electrical Research Institute is also specially established in Weiyang County, a suburb of Chang'an. The state also prohibits private Capital intervention exists entirely under a state of blockade and is supported by royal funds and cabinet government investment.

However, we see that various scientific research institutions and institutes in the country are producing several results every year, either relying on the granting of patent rights in exchange for large sums of research and development funds, or relying on major scientific and technological breakthroughs to attract countless funding from the Royal Science Foundation or the cabinet government. If the Electric Power Research Institute is not filled with envy, envy, and hatred by investing funds to achieve the wonderful result of fame and fortune, then it would definitely be a bit self-deceiving.

We are all engaged in scientific research, no matter what, we cannot admit that our skills are inferior to others!

Therefore, the Electric Power Research Institute often makes some noises and displays some of the latest research results or technological products in order to seek a sense of presence.

In addition to creating a wired telegraph a few years ago, which greatly improved their reputation, they also spent a lot of money to build a generator with an electromagnet as the main excitation source.

An acceleration force can be obtained from the interaction between the electromagnet and the armature. The result is that the electricity produced by this accelerating force is greater in quantity and intensity than has ever been obtained by any similar method.

However, this "advanced toy" produced by the Electric Power Research Institute is purely handmade and the cost is ridiculously high. Moreover, many things can barely be used in a laboratory environment, but once they are multiplied and tried to build a power station that can continuously output high-power electricity, it seems that the technology is not mature enough.

“Can these arc lamps be put into commercial use on a large scale?”

Qi Weiping, the general manager of the Royal Fund Committee and Duke Rong Guo, walked up to a row of arc lights, held his chin, and studied it with great interest, wondering if he could bring this thing to the palace so that his nephew the emperor could see it. , to prove that the Royal Science Fund under his control does not spend money randomly.

"Sir, arc lamps can theoretically be put into commercial applications." Weng Yonghuan, head of the Electric Power Research Institute, said bravely: "However, there may be some... flaws during the application process, which requires professional power researchers. Solve any minor problems at any time.”

"Mr. Weng, you have a flaw on the left and a small problem on the right, which means this thing can't be put into normal commercial operation, right?" Qi Weiping asked with a smile.

"It should be possible." Weng Yonghuan defended himself: "However, I need to know that at the beginning of the birth of any new thing, there will be various minor problems. Take the steam locomotive as an example. When it was first put into operation, it was not They often lie on the rails, and when the train arrives at the station, passengers on the train need to jump off to help brake. Therefore, whether it is using electricity or using arc lamps to replace gas lamps, there will definitely be various problems in the process. All kinds of small problems. But I firmly believe that with the in-depth study of electric power theory and the continuous progress of electric power technology, electricity will become the only power source that dominates industrial production in the future."

"Mr. Weng, you are engaged in scientific research and you must pay attention to empirical evidence. It is not certain that you can achieve practical results just by relying on your firm belief." Qi Weiping ignored the other party's rhetoric and pointed with his right hand at the clock-like clock. Arc lamp, "This thing is too bulky, and it has to be connected to a fixed wire, which is far less convenient than gas lamps. In addition, continuous power supply is also a big problem. There are so many dozen lamps, but two generators are used." If hundreds of lights are hung on the streets of Chang'an, how many generators will be needed to service them? Oh, by then, each generator will need to be equipped with dedicated maintenance personnel. The cost is probably going to be extremely high, right? Besides, even if electric technology is very mature and reliable, can you guarantee that it can really beat steam power?”

Can a thin power wire really drive a heavy machine?
Think about the steam engine nowadays, it is definitely a true expression of "machine aesthetics", like a steel giant. Inside the machine, the flame is burning, making a roaring sound, as if roaring, the copper-colored metal pipes are winding inside, steam is running through them, the flame and steel are intertwined inside the machine, emitting infinite heat and power. The driving wheel of the steam engine is turning, making a clacking sound, its power and speed are unimaginable. The operation process of the steam engine not only makes people feel amazed, but also makes people feel excited, as if this machine is under the control of a person, making a mighty roar, venting its powerful breath.

This is the real machine industry!

As for electricity, it's a small thing.

"Sir, Emperor Taizu asserted that electricity would eventually replace steam power, which was an irreversible trend in technological development." Weng Yonghuan said solemnly: "After we continue to conduct in-depth research on electric power science, we have more and more confirmed Taizu's The Emperor's Prophecy. Compared with steam power, electricity will have a higher power utilization rate, and its safety will be higher than steam power. Most importantly, electricity will be easier to transport and more convenient to use than steam power. "

"..." Qi Weiping looked at the excited Weng Yonghuan and was speechless for a long time. Finally, he asked helplessly: "You have said so much and then you brought Emperor Taizu out. How much are you going to ask me for?"

"My lord, although Emperor Taizu has passed away for nearly thirty years, has he ever made any mistakes in the predictions he made, especially in the field of science and technology?" Weng Yonghuan breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, "I don't think so here either. It requires too much investment, and thirty to forty thousand yuan is enough. Haha, the main purpose is to buy some high-precision machinery and equipment from Daxing to do some electric drive experiments. Of course, the test products do not require the latest manufacturing. Yes, second-hand ones can be used as well.”

"You guys are just staring at our royal family gathering wool." Qi Weiping shook his head and said, "Why don't you go to the cabinet to ask for some expenses?"

"Sir, the cabinet appropriation process is too slow, and there are many departments for review. You might be stuck at that link." Weng Yonghuan said with a smile: "Don't worry, if our Electric Power Research Institute issues a patent, it will be given priority. Forwarded to your royal foundation.”

"Tsk! Your Electric Power Research Institute has spent so much money on our royal funds over the years, and now there are only a handful of patents and products that can be used in perfect commercial applications."

"My lord, you can rest assured that the royal fund's efforts will eventually yield huge returns. By then, we will definitely push electricity to the practical application market and set off a new industrial revolution in our country!"

A few days later, the Royal Foundation allocated a special fund to the Electric Power Research Institute, and the amount surprised and delighted Weng Yonghuan.

Eighty thousand yuan!
At the same time, a royal attendant also brought a note written by Emperor Yonglong himself.

"Don't be hasty but be patient and make a difference. Industrial revolution is what the empire is looking forward to!"

(End of this chapter)