Great Country Academician

In the laboratory, Zhao Guanggui looked at Lei Jun, CEO of Xiaomi Group, with some surprise. He was indeed a little surprised that he appeared here.

After all, in the impression of ordinary people, Xiaomi has nothing to do with the research and development of cutting-edge technology.

However, the person was brought by Xu Chuan, so he didn't think much about it. He smiled and stretched out his right hand and said hello.

"Hello, CEO Lei."

He has met more than one president and boss of those big companies in China. At the end of the year, CEO Ren from Huawei also came.

At present, their semi-finished carbon-based chips are completed in cooperation with Huawei HiSilicon and SMIC.

"Hello, Director Zhao."

Coming back to his senses, Lei Jun smiled and stretched out his hand, shook his hand and said hello, and looked at Zhao Guanggui with some curiosity on his face.

He seemed to have heard of or seen this person somewhere.

Of course, it was definitely not in reality. If he had seen him in reality, he would definitely have a memory, most likely on the Internet or in the news.

After briefly introducing the two, Xu Chuan did not waste time and asked directly: "Director Zhao, are there any newly prepared carbon-based chips and carbon-based substrates in the laboratory?"

"Of course." Zhao Guanggui nodded.

"Take us to see it." Xu Chuan said quickly.

"Okay, please follow me."

Zhao Guanggui responded and led the two to another laboratory.

At the end of the year, after the number of carbon nanotubes integrated per square millimeter exceeded one million, the Materials Research Institute joined hands with HiSilicon, SMIC, Peking University's Carbon-Based Electronics Research Center and other chip companies and universities to use the finished product substrates to integrate transistors.

Although China is not good at the top low-nanometer silicon-based chips, it has a complete system for the research and development and preparation of secondary chips.

HiSilicon's design capabilities in the field of chip design, SMIC's complete process manufacturing capabilities, Peking University's Carbon-Based Electronics Research Center's carbon core research, plus Xinghai Research Institute's carbon-based substrates and high-density carbon nanotube arrangement technology.

A nearly complete set of carbon-based chip research and development, design, preparation, and production processes was pieced together.

After the Institute of Materials provided dozens of silicon carbide substrates with millions of carbon nanotubes per square millimeter, SMIC has now produced carbon-based chips integrating millions of "MOSFET metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors" and "JFET junction field-effect transistors" in half a month during the Spring Festival.

"MOSFET tube" and "JFET tube" are the most important and basic transistors in the chip.

The former uses the structure of metal, oxide and semiconductor to control the accumulation or depletion of electrons on the surface of the semiconductor by changing the gate voltage, thereby controlling the current between the source and the drain.

The latter is a semiconductor device that controls the internal electric field of the semiconductor by changing the external voltage, thereby controlling the width of the conductive channel.

These two transistors are indispensable components in modern electronic devices and play a vital role in realizing various functions of the circuit.

To put it more simply, if these two transistor devices can be integrated on a large scale, most of the functions of the chip can be realized.

Although the carbon-based chips they have made at this stage are still quite rough.

Not only is the yield rate of the integrated MOSFET transistors and JFET effect tubes less than 80%, but even the designs of various circuit diagrams are directly mounted on silicon-based chips.

But a chip with more than 700,000 basic carbon transistors per square millimeter is enough to plan a lot of computing circuits on it and realize a lot of functions.

In another laboratory where carbon-based chips are tested, Lei Jun saw the "carbon-based chip" for the first time.

The small black chip is only the size of an adult man's thumb nail, and it looks ordinary when placed in a transparent glass container.

But such a small chip, like a black hole that can attract all matter, has attracted everyone's attention.

Picking up a glassware in each hand, Zhao Guanggui introduced with a proud look on his face: "This is the latest silicon carbide substrate integrated carbon nanotube chip we made yesterday."

"Its area is 1.5 square centimeters, and the densest area integrates 9 million carbon nanotubes per square millimeter, with a total of 750 million carbon nanotubes integrated."

After a slight pause, he raised another glassware in his left hand, which contained a black chip that looked larger in area.

"This is our latest semi-finished carbon-based chip. Through advanced technology, we have integrated a total of 6.35 million carbon-based transistors on it."

"Among them, 'MOSFET metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors' and 'JFET junction field-effect transistors' are 3.7 million and 2.3 million respectively, in addition to hundreds of thousands of transistors with other functions."

"It is no exaggeration to say that it already has most of the functions of silicon-based chips."

"Of course, the reason why the number of carbon-based transistors and the number of integrated carbon nanotubes are different is that the number of carbon nanotubes in the substrate used in this semi-finished chip is only in the tens of millions."

"If the latest carbon-based substrate in my hand is used, the number of integrated carbon-based transistors can reach hundreds of millions!"

"Give us some time, we can integrate the number of carbon-based transistors to at least 10 million per square millimeter."

Upon hearing this number, Lei Jun, who was standing opposite, showed a look of surprise on his face.

There are 9 million carbon nanotubes per square millimeter, with a total of 750 million integrated.

And 6.35 million carbon-based transistors

Although this number is still far from the number of silicon transistors integrated on top silicon-based chips, the number of silicon transistors on low-nanometer chips currently exceeds 10 billion.

But when it comes to legendary laboratory products like carbon-based chips, it’s hard to overstate the magnitude of the increase in quantity.

From three thousand to the current 6.35 million, this improvement is no longer an order of magnitude.

And according to Director Zhao Guanggui, if he uses another latest carbon-based substrate, the number of carbon-based transistors can exceed 100 million.

Even if we give them some time, the transistors of carbon-based chips can break through to 10 million per square millimeter.

If he calculated based on the size of the chip he saw in front of him, which was about one square centimeter, it would be 1 billion transistors.

This number, if compared with the most common Intel Core processor, is almost the level of the fifth generation I3.

Of course, the number of transistors in different chips varies greatly. Even for silicon-based chips of the same generation, the number of transistors may vary by hundreds of millions or more.

But a billion transistors are enough to build a commercial chip.

As for the specific performance, whether it can surpass carbon-based chips of the same level, and by how much, he is not sure yet.

But soon, Zhao Guanggui from the Institute of Materials gave the answer.

After briefly introducing the different situations of the two carbon-based chips in his hand, he continued: "Although the testing of carbon-based chips is still in progress."

"However, judging from the number of testing projects that have been completed so far, its performance far exceeds that of silicon-based chips of the same level, or the same number of transistors."

"For example, energy consumption. The energy consumption of this carbon-based chip is less than one-fifth of that of silicon-based chips of the same level!"

"Of course, this is also too old compared to silicon-based chips of the same level, and there are gaps in chip construction technology and other aspects, which is why it is so superior."

"But after our theoretical calculations, even if we switch to the current top five-nanometer integration process to prepare the same number of silicon-based chips, the energy consumption will be far greater than the semi-finished carbon-based chip in my hand."

"Theoretically, the power consumption of this carbon-based chip is less than half of the power consumption of a silicon-based chip using the same process."

"And technically speaking, because this is an experimental product, both the design of integrated circuits and the integration of chip transistors are relatively rough, and there is still plenty of room for optimization."

"According to my estimation, if the preparation process and circuitry of carbon-based chips are improved in the future, the power consumption can be reduced to at least two to three times that of silicon-based chips!"

After listening to Zhao Guanggui's introduction, Mr. Xiaomi Lei, who came with Xu Chuan, showed an expression of surprise and shock on his face.

Although other indicators are still unknown, the power consumption alone has already lifted the carbon-based chip.

With an interested expression, Lei Jun took a deep breath and asked, "Can I see this chip? The finished chip you have is integrated with millions of chips."

"Of course no problem."

Zhao Guanggui smiled, put the other carbon-based substrate in his hand on the experimental table, and walked to the laboratory microscope with another semi-finished chip.

"Mr. Lei, this is the adjustment multiple, this is"

After processing the chip, Zhao Guanggui smiled and introduced the operation of the microscope. Lei Jun nodded and said with a smile: "Thank you."

He can still use a microscope, although he's not very skilled at it.

Standing next to the experimental equipment, Lei Jun put his eyes against the mirror.

Through the microscope, with magnifications ranging from small to large, the internal structure of this carbon-based chip appeared before his eyes as if overlooking an orderly planned city.

Those criss-crossing carbon nanotubes are arranged in an orderly manner on the silicon carbide substrate, and they look like a world built with building blocks, showing a beauty that is different from the ordinary world.

Although its raw material is carbon nanotubes as black as ink, after guided deposition, doping with NP metal and stacking layers into transistors, it has become a work of art, like a jade garment. , passed down forever.

"It's so beautiful. It looks like a piece of art."

After looking at the microscope for a long time, Lei Jun reluctantly moved his eyes away and let out a sigh.

Carbon-based chips!

He never expected that he would see such a 'treasure' in the chip field in his lifetime.

Xu Chuan smiled and said with full confidence in his tone: "There is no problem in saying it is a work of art, but I am afraid there is no other work of art in the world that can compare with it."

"Even the portrait of Mona Lisa, even the statue of Venus de Milo, is not worth mentioning in front of it!"

This sounded a bit arrogant, but no one in the laboratory questioned it.

The source of confidence lies in strength. No matter how precious the artwork is, it is far from being comparable to carbon-based chips.

The former may not be described in terms of money, but no matter how precious it is, it is just a legacy of history.

The latter can truly change an entire era and create a future full of infinite possibilities!

Lei Jun nodded in agreement with a smile. He naturally agreed with Xu Chuan's statement.

The importance of carbon-based chips is beyond doubt. This is a wider road to heaven than silicon-based chips.

After returning to Xu Chuan's office from the laboratory, Lei Jun was a little stunned.

That's a carbon-based chip!

For companies like them that need chips for mobile phones, computers, smart technologies, etc., it is simply a road to heaven.

Especially for Xiaomi Group, it is even more important.

There is no other reason. Many industries of Xiaomi Group, especially some core industries, such as mobile phones, automobiles, artificial intelligence, etc., cannot do without chips.

Among them, whether it is Qualcomm or MediaTek, or other chip companies, they have taken a lot of profits from Xiaomi through physical chips or patented technologies.

In fact, it is not just Xiaomi. Domestic mobile phone manufacturers, whether Huawei, VIO, OPO, Meizu, OnePlus and other companies, cannot escape the fact that Qualcomm and others have taken away a lot of profits.

Even, sometimes, for some reasons, they will be stuck by companies such as Qualcomm.

For domestic mobile phone companies, once the cutting-edge chips are stuck, it will be fatal for the entire manufacturer.

A few years ago, for some reasons, Huawei was even forced to give up its mobile phone business.

Even now, it has not eased much.

It can be seen how uncomfortable domestic related companies and manufacturers will be once the chip field is stuck.

Xiaomi has no choice. They are different from Huawei. Huawei has been accumulating strength to take the road of self-research.

But Xiaomi's strategic direction has never been this. Integrating resources and taking the cost-effective route are their directions.

Moreover, Xiaomi Mobile was established too short. It was established in 2011, and it was already very late to enter this industry. There is almost no deployment in chip research and development. In addition to biting the bullet and continuing to use chips and patents from manufacturers such as Qualcomm and MediaTek, it can be said that there is no other way.

Not only Xiaomi, but other domestic mobile phones are almost the same.

They have no choice. If they don't use it, the consequence is that the market will be completely lost. There is a precedent for this, which is even more unbearable.

The thoughts in his mind flashed mixedly, and his eyes were retracted from the door. Lei Jun looked at the young scholar who was sitting opposite him, took a deep breath and broke the silence first.

"Academician Xu, you asked me to come today because of the carbon-based chip?"

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "I guess so."

Hearing this answer, Lei Jun couldn't help but ask, "I think the carbon-based chip I just saw should not be completely completed?"

"I want to ask, do you still need research and development funds for the carbon-based chip you developed?"

"If necessary, I can withdraw 20 billion, at least 30 billion in cash through various channels."

Although it is said that Xiaomi's hope of participating in the research and development of carbon-based chips is very slim.

Because from today's situation, Xinghai Research Institute has mastered relatively mature carbon-based chip preparation technology.

They have prepared millions of carbon-based transistors and carbon-based chips with certain mature computing functions.

Although there is still some distance to go before commercial production, there is no doubt that this distance should not be very far.

But he still had to ask.

Because for Xiaomi, this is a new ship, and it is also an aircraft carrier of the times that can help them get rid of Qualcomm's control!

If you miss this flight, no one knows when the next turning point of the times will be.

Xu Chuan smiled and shook his head, saying: "I came to you, Mr. Lei, although it is for carbon-based chips, but not for investment."

"Xinghai Research Institute has no shortage of funds for investment. There is no need for this. We have enough funds on the books."

"If you really want to invest, I still have hundreds of billions of cash in my bank card, just use it directly."

"On the other hand, Xiaomi Group does not have any subsidiaries or laboratories that can participate in chip research and development. To be honest, participating in research and development is meaningless."

"Besides, you are not on this road."

Hearing these words, Lei Jun was stunned for a moment, shook his head gently and showed a helpless smile.

He almost forgot that the person in front of him was different from ordinary scholars.

If you really want to compare money, there is really no one richer than him in China. He just didn't make the Forbes rich list.

And he said before that Xiaomi Group had little to do with this person, but he was wrong.

It doesn't matter, but it's not an indirect relationship.

He developed the artificial SEI film, the lithium-sulfur battery, and the most advanced graphene/carbon nanomaterial preparation technology in China, high-temperature/room-temperature superconducting materials, etc.

And the smart driving agreement that will be signed with the Chuanhai Network Technology Company. These are actually used by Xiaomi Group.

The technology he developed has long been involved in all aspects of Xiaomi Group, but most of the time, there are only one or several layers of relationships.

After calming down his emotions, Lei Jun came back to his senses, smiled, and said, "Then I'm even more curious. I wonder what Academician Xu is looking for me for this time?"

Although he knew in his heart that Xiaomi probably had no chance to participate in the development of carbon-based chips, he still felt regretful when Xu Chuan refused.

However, as Xu Chuan said, Xiaomi is not on the path of independent research and development.

If there is a chance to participate, he will invest, but if there is really no chance, he will not force it.

Xu Chuan took the initiative to find him, which means that there is indeed something related to him or Xiaomi, and there is a high probability that he needs help.

Being able to take this part and establish a connection with this person, for him, this trip today is enough.