Spark

Regarding the conditions proposed by the US side, Huaxia has temporarily ignored the attitude. 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 Mei has not come up with enough conditions to arouse China's interest, no answer is the best answer.

However, Chen Nian is also very curious, to what extent can he arouse Huaxia's interest?

A pure technology transaction is absolutely impossible, as Chen Guo said, "NASA needs to come forward", not "NASA needs to give a list of technology exchanges".

A few years back, whether it is aviation, aerospace, precision manufacturing, electronics, biology, etc., they are all attractive to China.

But now, after the birth of normal-temperature superconducting materials, the technological barriers in these fields will naturally be reduced.

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 the direction of seedlings and genetically modified, the core of which is to increase the output of agricultural products.

But the problem is, I have all the metal hydrogen, and the fusion reactor is just around the corner. What 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 air composition can be precisely adjusted.

Under such a technological environment, the role of seedlings can largely be 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, not to mention other fields.

After room-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 things that are still 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 a short period of time and connect the past and the future.

Or, not just technology, but also resources, funds, 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 the first wall material. His job this afternoon is still to continue discussing technical issues related to high temperature resistant and radiation resistant materials with the members of the Tinder team.

Taking a special car, he arrived at the material laboratory that Xinghuo built near Chengfei for his work convenience. Chen Nian pushed open the door of the laboratory, and it was already in place, or in fact, he hadn’t left the laboratory since the establishment of the group. All the engineers looked at him in unison, with some expectation on their faces.

They don't know the details of the work of the last plasma group, but they have more or less heard some stories about the realization 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 the research and development results of the so-called "Spark Core Team".

But unfortunately, Chen Nian let them down.

"How was the outcome of yesterday's discussion on multiscale modeling of radiation damage in Benedict? Are there any new findings after the data entry?"

he asked.

"Yes, we have completed the modeling and performed simulation analysis on some data. Judging from the current situation, the integrity of the model is not a problem, and the analysis results are in line with our expectations."

"It's a nice tool for subsequent radiation damage analysis - but to be honest, it's not as helpful as we thought it would be."

"Relatively speaking, what we discussed yesterday about the atomic-scale exploration of radiation-induced separation is more instructive. At least in the study of crystal recrystallization, it provides some good ideas."

It was Guo Qi who answered Chen Nian. He and Chen Nian were old acquaintances, and he knew Chen Nian's working methods very well, so he quickly entered the state after Chen Nian appeared.

Although his previous research direction was not closely related to the direction of radiation resistance, he adapted quickly and was basically able to keep up with the progress of the group.

"But we also need better simulation methods. Forget it, let's not discuss this. Is the stove burned today?"

Chen Nian continued to ask.

In the past few days, in addition to doing some basic theoretical research, the final task of the team is to burn the furnace and try to manufacture a new material based on boron boron nitride.

But so far, the results have not been outstanding.

"It's burning, it's just finished feeding, and the first batch of boron boron nitride flakes will be produced soon."

Chen Nian nodded slightly, and did not continue to ask further questions.

The following experimental procedures were basically standardized—or to some extent, they were not much different from alchemy.

According to the existing theory, try to add various "impurities" to the material, or use hot isostatic pressing equipment to do some pressing and sintering, try to change the crystal structure of the material itself, and 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?

Now there are quite a lot of researches on anti-irradiation characteristics. The team can at least determine a general direction of "realizing crystal self-healing through atomic diffusion". If it is placed in other relatively new directions, then it is really dark. Walking forward, not even knowing if there is a road ahead.

After half a day, the results of the group were still unsatisfactory.

However, no one expressed disappointment.

In fact, everyone has been used to it for a long time—you can’t expect to win a top prize just by buying a lottery ticket. You have to persist in buying it to get results.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the day's work came to an end, and several researchers still had to stay to deal with the remaining finishing work. After Guo Qi told them to pay attention to arranging the rest time and packing up the equipment and raw materials, he followed Chen Nian out. Laboratory building.

At this time, there was no "depressed" expression on his face at all, but he asked Chen Nian confidently:

"How long will we need to do this experiment?"

Chen Nian was taken aback for a moment, and subconsciously asked:

"What do you mean, how long will it take?"

"It's about how long it will take to produce results - anyway, I know you must know it well."

Hearing this, Chen Nian couldn't help being a little amused.

Guo Qi's thinking is indeed different from other people's. In the eyes of others, the strength of this group is indeed very strong, but if you say that you will be able to toss out the first wall material, that's not necessarily true.

After all, the matter of materials science is too random, and sometimes it is not a problem that can be solved purely by technical strength.

But what about Guo Qi?

He probably felt that what Chen Nian was doing now was just a preliminary verification.

When the idea in my heart is almost verified, I will come up with the final result naturally.

——

I have to say that although his guess may not be right, it is not wrong.

Chen Nian didn't intend to hide too much from him, so after thinking for a while, he replied:

"There is really no way to determine the exact time."

"However, we are also here for the progress of the EAST project. Before the superconducting coil is built, we must make results."

"Three months, let's set the goal like this for the time being—but don't say in the group that this thing already involves confidential information."

Although they are members of 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 in Xigong University, and also participated in the earliest projects of Xinghuo, so in The level of confidentiality is much higher.

That's why Chen Nian couldn't say something to Pan Qingwei, but he could say it to Guo Qi.

"Understand, understand, the most basic thing, I don't need you to tell me."

Guo Qi answered quickly, but then, he showed a little emotion.

"However, our meeting this time is really in a hurry. We have been here for almost a month, and it is only today that we have a serious chat."

"You still have the same style as before, straight to the point."

"I still remember that when you were at the Xicai Research Institute, you took Lao Chen's introduction to my laboratory to borrow a hot isostatic press, and said that it would be high TC4. It's so dazzling that 10 years have passed. .”

Hearing his words, Chen Nian laughed and replied:

"8 years, there are still two years behind 10 years, can this be rounded up?"

"It's not too much difference-you interrupted, I just want to express my feelings about the passage of time."

"You don't know. During that time, our material research institute was really difficult. We couldn't produce results, the funds were tight, and we couldn't see the future."

"I don't know how many of my students have changed careers, and they have done some jobs that they must have looked down upon."

"That is to say, after you came, the situation gradually improved."

"I've been looking for a chance to meet you these past few years, but when I thought about it, you probably don't have the time, so I put it off."

"I didn't expect to do this project. It's a bit unexpected that you still think of me."

Guo Qi's words reveal a kind of sincere gratitude. In his opinion, although he has made a lot of progress in the past few years and has gradually entered the top circle of the domestic material science field, he must contact It is not so easy for such a big project as the first wall material.

So, objectively speaking, Chen Nian gave him this opportunity.

This is an important opportunity for him to take another step forward.

——

However, Chen Nian's thinking is completely different from his. As discussed with Chen Guo before, the reason to find Guo Qi is not because he can play a key role in this project, but more because of his The technical strength is passed, and "the role is appropriate".

To put it bluntly, on the premise that his identity cannot be easily revealed, Guo Qi is the one who can suppress the formation.

This little experience is also summed up from the previous plasma project.

Thinking of this, Chen Nian replied:

"It's nothing unexpected. The reason why I asked you to come here is also the result of various considerations in the organization. Don't think too much."

"Without you, the hearts of the people below will fluctuate, which may be much more serious."

"After all, this is not a purely theoretical project. In addition, 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 it, what's the overall atmosphere like now?"

Hearing what Chen Nian said, Guo Qi hesitated for a moment, and then replied:

"Overall, it can't be said to be very good, but it can basically meet the requirements."

"You know, the outside world has high expectations for the EAST project. Most people think that if we dare to start such a project, we must have made comprehensive technical preparations."

"But in fact, the information obtained by the Huorong team is that the technology of the first wall material has not yet emerged."

"So for them, it's a major conflict and a major pressure."

"However, the members here are all elites in the field without exception, and they still have confidence in themselves."

"It's also this confidence that keeps the group going, otherwise, one person starts... what's that word you said before?"

"It's bad."

Chen Nian added.

"Yes, it's bad. As long as one person starts to do bad, 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 such a thing happening.

In fact, what they need to deal with is far more than just "the pressure brought 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.

Not to mention now, even ten years later, human beings have not completely solved this problem.

Therefore, it is normal to have doubts, and it can even be said that it should be taken for granted.

"It's up to you to handle that."

Chen Nian said.

"Don't worry, I know."

The conversation between the two about the laboratory ended here. On the way to the restaurant, their topic gradually turned to those trivial things in life. Chen Nian complained that the recent healthy meals were getting worse and worse, while Guo Qi took Showed the gesture of "someone who has experienced it", and advised him to take good care of his body.

".You don't feel it yet, but when you reach my age, your physical problems will gradually emerge."

"With the development of our current medical technology, many things will not be solved in the next few decades."

"Just for me, gout, doesn't sound like a big problem, does it? 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 feel sympathetic and wanted to laugh. He turned his head, subconsciously opened the system and searched for "gout solution", but this thing doesn't seem to be presented on the device level, so he didn't get any results. .

It seems that he can only suffer from the pain for the time being——Chen Nian originally planned that if this thing does not have high requirements on the source point, he will solve it casually

Before shutting down the system, Chen Nian glanced at the latest analysis requirements of the first wall material, wanting to confirm the rate of decline brought about by the latest research.

But it was this glance that made him freeze in place.

[Nuclear fusion first wall material: 12 source points]

Chen Nian's eyes widened in surprise, and Guo Qi, who was on the side, saw his expression and immediately asked:

"What's wrong?"

He shook his head and didn't answer, but his heart was already overwhelmed.

Someone got the first wall material out.

Moreover, according to the system's "accessible" principle, this thing seems to be in the country!