The top student must be diligent.

Chapter 179 Building Your Own Laboratory

Xiao Yi's doctoral graduation ceremony is over.

From that day on, the world lost a talented student and gained a Professor Xiao.

Of course, the news of his graduation spread quickly. After all, he had been a media darling during this period, and there were many media outlets that had been following his news.

So as soon as he graduated, he once again made headlines in major media outlets.

This once again surprised many people.

[Oh my god, I almost forgot that Xiao Shen is still a student? ? ]

[It turns out that the requirements for PhD students are so high. This gives me a reason to reject my supervisor’s advice to pursue a PhD]

[Are you sure you are not attacking a Ph.D. student like me? ? ]

[I was attacked woooooooooooo]

[Xiao Shen has improved the overall quality of doctoral students by himself! ]

[But from now on, Xiao Shen is no longer a doctoral student, and the value of a doctoral degree has dropped again! ]

【sad】

[I will call you Professor Xiao from now on. Tears welled up in my eyes. It was as if I saw the dawn of a new era.]

[I am from HKUST. Will Professor Xiao come to work at my alma mater? ]

[I am also from HKUST. I can’t imagine how happy I would be if Professor Xiao could become our teacher]

[Why would Xiao Shen go to your University of Science and Technology if he doesn’t come to teach at Peking University? Peking University is the best in mathematics in China.]

[You Peking University students, please stop trying to make trouble. HKUST is the alma mater of Xiao Shen. What is your Peking University? Nothing.]

["Marriage first, love later: Professor Xiao spoiled me"]

【Ahhh sister, I give you the pen, write to me quickly! 】

【The book has no store to smash! 】

……

Xiao Yi didn't pay much attention to these comments on the Internet.

Although he has now officially become a researcher, he still has no research tasks.

The main reason is that he has just submitted the funding application for the project "Research on the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity and FeSe/SrTiO3 single-layer superconducting materials" and is still waiting for the funding to be approved.

It is unclear how much will be approved by then.

Of course, there is also the question of where to conduct the experiment.

Either you rent a laboratory from a school or research institute, or you build one yourself.

The former is mainly low-cost, but the problem is that its usage is restricted and sometimes you need to queue up to apply, so it is generally not free.

The latter is naturally very free, after all, it is made by yourself and you can use it whenever you want.

However, there is obviously a key problem, that is, it is expensive!
First you need a piece of land, and then you have to buy various experimental equipment. Cheap equipment will not work. Otherwise, the final result will be worse than directly renting a laboratory and using the high-end equipment inside to do experiments. The quality of the experimental equipment can also affect the review of the journal editor.

Just like one of the most expensive experimental equipment - the cryo-electron microscope. You can publish an SNC by taking a picture of anything with this thing, but it is really expensive. A machine of slightly better quality costs tens of millions, and the annual maintenance cost is about 100 million. Ordinary laboratories simply cannot afford it.

This is the throwing of money.

Even the inventor of the cryo-electron microscope won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this, but this incident also attracted a lot of criticism in the mathematics community.

Of course, if Xiao Yi wants to do superconductivity research, he naturally does not need to use a cryo-electron microscope or something like that. This thing is mainly used for biological research and has nothing to do with physics.

However, even for superconductivity research, there are a lot of experimental equipment that needs to be purchased, such as microscopes, transmission electron microscopes, scanning electron microscopes, and spectrometers, such as angle-resolved photoelectron spectrometers, Raman spectrometers, and so on.

In addition, there are also magnetron sputtering equipment, CVD, MBE, etc.
Basically, even a slightly lower-end laboratory would cost at least tens of millions, and if it is a higher-end laboratory, it would easily cost hundreds of millions.

The cost of laboratories like those at the Institute of Physics is even more terrifying.

So scientific research is very expensive.
Only subjects such as mathematics can produce top-notch results at extremely low costs.

"If you want to set up your own laboratory..."

In the dormitory, Xiao Yi took a look at the price list of various equipment he had listed on the computer, as well as the final total value, plus other costs.

If he wants to build a condensed matter-materials laboratory that meets his ideal needs, it will cost at least 5 million yuan.

Finally, he shook his head helplessly.

Such an expensive construction cost, plus the subsequent maintenance costs, is not enough to build this laboratory even if he has the Yishui bit gold mine. Moreover, the price of Bitcoin has dropped in recent times, and Yishui Bit's profitability has also declined. The idea of ​​building this laboratory entirely by himself is basically impossible.

"Forget it, let's not think too much about it now. Let's wait for my project funding to be approved."

"Well... today is already July 7th, let's go back to Fei City tomorrow."

After all, he had planned to go home before.

After graduation and officially becoming a researcher, it was time for him to go home and announce the good news. He also had to go to USTC to visit Professor Liu Bin, Academician Hu Guangde and others who had helped him in the past.

Of course, the University of Science and Technology Affiliated High School is definitely indispensable.

Although he doesn't like socializing, the socializing he doesn't like is the kind of socializing for fame or profit.

He doesn't mind visiting his former elders and the place where he grew up.

"Then... go to sleep first!"

Silent all night.

……

The next day, Xiao Yi boarded a plane back to Fei City. His father Xiao Guohua drove to pick him up. His mother Du Xin was also in the car and came with him.

It seems that both Xiao's father and mother have a feeling that it's unreal for them to have this son who is already internationally acclaimed as a master of mathematics.

Although Xiao's father and mother were both college students at that time and were considered highly intelligent among ordinary people, they could not have imagined that their son would be so smart.

However, no matter how much disbelief they felt in their hearts, when they saw Xiao Yi's face, the affection in their hearts still made their eyes full of tenderness and kindness when they looked at Xiao Yi.

After all, they are their children.

After returning home, he had a reunion dinner with his family. On the same day, the University of Science and Technology also learned the news that Xiao Yi had returned to Fei City, and then Xiao Yi's home became lively.

Dean Tang Fucheng of the School of Mathematics of USTC, Academician Hu Guangde, and Professor Liu Bin all came to visit, and then Academician Shen Gensheng, Dean of the School of Physics, and Executive Dean Chen Xiangyu also came.

In addition to these people, there was another heavyweight figure, that is, the president of USTC, Academician Bao Hexin, who was also here.

"Xiao Yi, we meet again."

When Bao Hexin appeared in front of Xiao Yi, he greeted him with a smile.

Xiao Yi was stunned immediately: "Academician Bao, you are here too."

Bao Hexin laughed: "What's so strange about this? You are the most outstanding graduate and the most outstanding alumnus of our school in recent years. Now that you are back, of course I have to come to see you. What's more, we stood on the same podium in the past."

What Bao Hexin was talking about was last year’s National Science and Technology Awards Conference.

At that time, Xiao Yi won the first prize in natural sciences with the Goldbach conjecture, and two other projects also won first prizes. One of them, nano-confined catalysis, was accomplished by the team led by Academician Bao Hexin.

So they were indeed standing on a podium at the time.

Xiao Yi also laughed: "You are right, then, everyone please come in."

Afterwards, all these academicians and professors were invited in.

Xiao's father and mother did not expect that as soon as Xiao Yi came back, so many big shots would come.

He is an academician and even the president of the University of Science and Technology of China?

As one of the top universities in the country, the administrative level of the president of USTC is naturally not low, almost equivalent to that of a vice-provincial official.

In the past, such a person would definitely be considered a big shot to them.

And now, when these big guys see them, they will take the initiative to nod and say hello to them.

Bao Hexin even took the initiative to step forward and shook Xiao Guohua's hand, saying, "You two must be Xiao Yi's parents, right? Thank you so much for training Xiao Yi. Otherwise, our country wouldn't have such a pillar, and our Fei City and HKUST wouldn't have such a proud person."

Xiao Guohua said repeatedly: "No, no, it's all Xiao Yi's fault. He worked hard on his own. His mother and I are not even scientists, so we can't really say we cultivated anything." "Haha, it is said that family is the environment that most affects a child's growth. Mr. Xiao, don't underestimate your influence on Xiao Yi."

Bao Hexin said with a smile.

As a former executive vice president of Danfu University, he was naturally very good at this kind of thing. He praised Xiao's father and mother with just a few words and made them smile. They invited them to the living room.

This villa is worth nearly 20 million yuan, so the living room is naturally quite large, and it doesn’t feel crowded at all even with so many people.

Father Xiao went to prepare tea for the guests, while Mother Xiao went to find some fruits and other things for the entertaining.

Only Xiao Yi was in the living room.

Xiao Yi said: "Academician Bao, you came here because of something."

Bao Hexin smiled and nodded, without hiding anything, and said to Xiao Yi: "I heard that you have become a researcher at the Institute of Mathematics and the Institute of Physics?"

Xiao Yi nodded: "Yes."

Bao Hexin asked: "Would you consider returning to our University of Science and Technology?"

It was indeed for this matter.

Xiao Yi was not surprised at all, otherwise, the other party would not have come to him in such a high-profile manner.

"I……"

Just as he was about to speak, Bao Hexin said, "Of course, I'll tell you the conditions in advance. We're not asking you to come back just for the sake of your alma mater."

"Regarding the matter of inviting you back, I have also discussed it with the leaders in our province, and they all think this is a very important matter."

"First, we can build a mathematical physics laboratory with you as the center, with an estimated investment of 2 million yuan. In addition, we will also help you build a research team. You will have autonomy in recruiting students or in other aspects."

"Of course, the most important thing is the annual experimental funding. The minimum funding is tens of millions. What do you think?"

Bao Hexin said.

Hearing such conditions, Xiao Yi was immediately moved.

Wow, he was just thinking about laboratory matters yesterday, but he didn’t expect to get 200 million in funding the next day.

It's like giving you a pillow when you feel sleepy.

Seeing Xiao Yi's excited look, Bao Hexin continued to strike while the iron was hot.

"You know, our Anhui Province is not a big economic province, but our province is still very willing to invest in science and technology. Among the national scientific research cities, our Fei City ranks third, only after Beijing and Shanghai."

"And now you are the only Fields Medal winner in our country and a candidate for the Nobel Prize. If you stay in Fei City, you will definitely get the best treatment."

"Your annual salary, including the various talent introduction and subsidies from our province, and a bunch of miscellaneous expenses, is at least 200 million, and there are also housing subsidies, car subsidies, etc...."

Bao Hexin looked at Xiao Yi's house again, and finally smiled and said, "I guess these are not attractive to you. You are probably one of the richest alumni of our school."

"How about it? If you agree, we can sign the contract and agreement tomorrow. If there is anything else you need, you can also ask for it."

Bao Hexin looked at Xiao Yi.

In fact, there was one thing he didn’t say, that is, Fei City is also Xiao Yi’s hometown.

However, he believed that Xiao Yi himself would definitely be able to consider this, coupled with so many favorable conditions.

He basically has it all figured out.

Finally, Xiao Yi thought for a long time and asked, "I want to know how much funding you can provide at most for the construction of this mathematical physics laboratory?"

Although 2 million is already a lot, it is still at least 3 million short of his ideal laboratory, and there is no upper limit, so he still wants to strive for it.

"Well..." Bao Hexin pondered for a moment, and finally said, "I can't answer you. After all, two hundred million is already a lot. And as for the mathematics and physics laboratory, don't you think it's not enough?"

To be honest, 2 million is already a luxury for a mathematics and physics laboratory. After all, mathematics and physics laboratories generally do not need to buy any experimental equipment. They can produce results with just a pen and a piece of paper. The most they have to spend more money on high-performance computing equipment.

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "I don't want to simply build a mathematical physics laboratory. I want to build a condensed matter-materials laboratory."

Bao Hexin and others were stunned.

"Condensed Matter - Materials Laboratory? You want to study..."

"Superconductivity." Xiao Yi said: "I now have a certain grasp of the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, but it still requires experiments."

"In addition... I also plan to study a new type of high-temperature superconducting material. I am already somewhat confident about this. Moreover, this new type of high-temperature superconducting material is likely to be a practical high-temperature superconductor that can replace niobium-titanium alloy in the industrial field."

When they heard what Xiao Yi said, Bao Hexin and the others were shocked.

"High-temperature superconductivity mechanism? Are you sure about it? And high-temperature superconducting materials?"

Next to him, Academician Shen Gensheng from the School of Physics immediately asked in surprise.

Xiao Yi smiled and nodded.

After he came back from Russia on the 15th, he went to the National Center for Condensed Matter Research of the Institute of Physics on the 16th to try out his new additional ability - material mastery.

Then, this new additional ability showed its terrifying effect.

As long as he sees a sample of a material, combined with various analysis reports on the sample, he will be able to accurately understand in his mind the various structures within the material and the microscopic effects brought about by this structure.

The most important thing is that he can also use existing theories to think about how the properties of the material will change after changing the structure. This method can even allow him to verify the correctness of the theory.

As a result, in just less than a day, he had gained an extremely deep understanding of the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, which also gave him a great chance of successfully synthesizing high-temperature superconductors suitable for large-scale use.

Hearing his confident answer, Shen Gensheng was shocked beyond words for a moment.

That's the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity...

If this can be accomplished, it will definitely be another Nobel Prize-level achievement.

Bao Hexin also fell into deep thought.

If it is really the high temperature superconductivity mechanism...

For HKUST, this is definitely an achievement that can be recorded in the school history.

And if it is a high-temperature superconducting material that can replace niobium-titanium alloy in industry, it will be a major event for the entire Anhui Province that can affect the economy of the entire province to a certain extent.

After all, if such high-temperature superconducting materials could be born in Anhui Province, they would definitely have the first-mover advantage in producing this material, and at that time, they would even be able to allow Anhui Province to go global.

Thinking of this, Bao Hexin looked at Xiao Yi and said, "If what you said is true, I believe the leaders in the province will agree to this matter."

After thinking about it, he still didn't ask the question he wanted to ask: Are you just making empty promises?
Considering that this project is Xiao Yi's first scientific research project after his official graduation, he should not be just making empty promises.

So Bao Hexin said, "I will go and talk to them in the next few days."

"Also, you can apply for funding from the government. I believe the government will be willing to pay a large sum of money for your project."

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I have already written the funding application form and am now waiting for a reply."

When Bao Hexin heard that Xiao Yi had already filled out the application form, he became even more convinced about this matter.

After all, their current funding can only be regarded as their province's support for talents. If they apply for national funding, it will attract the attention of the country. This funding cannot be applied for randomly.

"Okay, I'll go talk to the provincial leaders about this tomorrow."

Bao Hexin smiled and nodded.

"Once we have discussed it, we will sign the agreement."

"Okay." Xiao Yi nodded.

"But before that..." Bao Hexin looked at the deans of the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics.

Both of them smiled, then took something out of their bags and handed it to Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi took it and took a look. Wow, there were two more letters of appointment, inviting him to become a professor in the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics respectively.

Bao Hexin smiled and said, "It will take some time to reach an agreement. Before that, you can become a professor at our school first."

"Students all over the school are looking forward to your arrival, Professor Xiao."

Xiao Yi smiled, then nodded, "Okay!"

(End of this chapter)