The top student must be diligent.

Chapter 182 Luo Mingya's Graduation Defense
Coming to the School of Materials, Xiao Yi was not unfamiliar with the place.

In fact, he already knows quite a few professors here.

During this period, many people from the School of Materials came to him because of the Science Island Laboratory, mainly hoping to reach cooperation with the laboratory after the Science Island Laboratory was completed.

For example, the dean of the School of Materials and several academicians have come to see him.

After all, this is a laboratory worth 5 million yuan. Judging from the specifications of the laboratory alone, such an expensive cost is considered quite high nationwide, and the various experimental instruments used in it must be quite advanced.

As for the professors in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, they must be envious.

Naturally, Xiao Yi did not completely refuse this. He wanted to build a laboratory of his own, and his original purpose was just to ensure that he could use the laboratory whenever he needed it.

When he doesn't need it, there is naturally no problem in renting it to others.

This can also be considered as interpersonal communication. Since he is now in Fei City, it is naturally impossible for him to completely avoid the academic circle of Fei City.

Of course, probably because he agreed to cooperate, the people in the School of Materials Science and Engineering treated him quite well, so as soon as he arrived at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, he ran into a professor from the School of Materials Science and Engineering.

The professor greeted him: "Professor Xiao, how come you have time to come to our college today?"

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Professor Chen, I came here today to borrow the laboratory."

Professor Chen immediately laughed: "Hahaha, the Science Island Laboratory has not been built yet, so it is indeed unusable. I guess Professor Xiao can't wait to use the Science Island Laboratory."

Xiao Yi shrugged helplessly: "I can't help it. I wish I could travel back to one year later."
Professor Chen smiled and then said, "Well...if you want to use the lab, it should be available today."

"Oh? When the School of Materials Science and the laboratories are all empty?"

Xiao Yi couldn't help but raise his brows.

The School of Materials Science and Engineering at HKUST can be considered to be quite competitive. All the laboratories are basically fully booked every day. How can there be cases where all of them are vacant?
Professor Chen smiled and said, "It's mainly because someone in our college is graduating today and is holding her graduation defense. All the teachers and graduate students in the college are going to watch."

"Speaking of which, Professor Xiao, you should know this person. She is Luo Mingya, a student of Professor Sun Lina. I remember that you two collaborated on a project last year and published it in Nature, which made us all envious."

"Oh, I remember now! I think your calculation of absolute electronicity was also done at that time, tsk tsk tsk tsk ..."

Professor Chen sighed with emotion. That was an absolutely electronic calculation...
However, after hearing his words, Xiao Yi was stunned.

What?
Luo Mingya is graduating now?

Isn't this a bit too sudden?
It seems that Luo Mingya only studied for her PhD for two years?
Well……

In fact, he was even more extreme. He only studied for one year at most and obtained two doctoral degrees.
Of course, considering Luo Mingya’s many achievements, it is reasonable for her to graduate with a doctorate in two years.

However, judging from previous situations, she doesn't seem to want to graduate?

Xiao Yi also learned from Xu Ming and others that the reason why Luo Mingya came back after completing her master's degree in Cambridge was mainly because she came to be Sun Lina's student. She would have tens of millions of funds available to her every year and could do the research projects she wanted. If she were abroad, she would definitely not have such treatment. Those supervisors might not have so much money every year to do research projects, and even if they did, it would be impossible for her to control it.

So, Xiao Yi felt confused.

Then he asked Professor Chen his questions.

Professor Chen was stunned, then shook his head and said, "I don't know either. Of course, it would be fine if she stayed in school after graduation, but it seems that she is planning to leave. Although the dean and others are trying to persuade her, they are unsuccessful."

"Two professors from the National University of Defense Technology came yesterday. One of them seems to be an academician of the military. They plan to take Luo Mingya to do research on a project in the military after she finishes her graduation defense."

Xiao Yi was stunned. Luo Mingya was planning to do military-related research?

"Well, let's not talk about it anymore. Her defense should be starting soon. I'm on my way there now. If Professor Xiao wants to borrow the lab, just go to the lab building. There should be an administrator there. Or would you like to go and take a look together? I heard that her graduation thesis can be published in a top journal."

Xiao Yi thought about it, and finally nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble Professor Cheng to lead the way."

Professor Chen smiled and nodded, then walked ahead, and Xiao Yi quickly followed.

……

We soon arrived at the lecture hall, which was quite large and could probably seat several hundred people.

At this time, people from the School of Materials Science and Engineering were constantly entering the door. It was obvious that Luo Mingya's graduation defense had indeed attracted quite a few people.

She is worthy of being called the “female bully” of the School of Materials Science and Engineering.

When Xiao Yi came over, he was immediately recognized by many people.

"Oh my god, Xiao Shen!"

"Xiao Shen is here too!"
Soon, the noise at the door was also heard in the lecture hall.

At this time, Luo Mingya was standing in front of the lecture hall, and Fei Xiaonan, the dean of the School of Materials, was talking to her.

"Hey, Mingya, why are you doing this? Why don't you just stay in our University of Science and Technology? Why do you have to go to the National University of Defense Technology? It's totally unnecessary! If we want to become a strong country in scientific research, we can be anywhere!"

Luo Mingya said: "I have already thought about it. The main thing is that the project there is related to a topic that I have always been interested in. I can get in touch with more advanced results in this area there."

"After this result is achieved, I might come back."

Fei Xiaonan sighed helplessly: "Okay, although I don't know what project you are talking about, it seems to be highly confidential..."

"No matter what, you must come back when the time comes."

Luo Mingya smiled softly: "Everyone in the academy calls me a female bully. After I leave, they might even be happy."

Fei Xiaonan glared and said, "Who said that? Many people in our college want you to stay."

Just kidding, although Luo Mingya is famous for his academic performance in their college, on the other hand, the many achievements made by Luo Mingya have also improved their college's ranking among major universities in the country in terms of materials science, and also attracted countless collaborations and funding.

This involves the college's funding allocation policy. A good professor can often get a lot of funding from institutions like the National Natural Science Foundation. The university or college can then deduct a certain proportion of this funding to support the college's infrastructure, or part of the funding will be submitted to the college or university's financial department, which will then reallocate it according to needs.

So in most cases, a college would often hope to have more outstanding scholars.

Therefore, for people like Luo Mingya, they certainly hope that she can stay.

The title of female bully is basically spread among the graduate students. None of the professors would call her that. After all, one of them might have enjoyed the funds that Luo Mingya earned for the college.

Just at this moment, the noise coming from outside the door attracted their attention.

"Xiao Shen..."

"Xiao Shen!"

...Hearing the names called by the students outside, Fei Xiaonan and Luo Mingya couldn't help but look outside.

"Is this... Xiao Yi here?" Fei Xiaonan asked in surprise, and then he walked out.

Luo Mingya also showed a surprised expression.

Could it be that Xiao Yinan also knew that today was her graduation defense?
Soon, Xiao Yi appeared at the door and happened to meet Fei Xiaonan who was walking out.

"Dean Fei."

He said hello.

Fei Xiaonan was surprised and said, "I didn't expect it was you, Professor Xiao. You are here to attend Luo Mingya's defense as well?"

He turned his head and glanced at Luo Mingya behind him, then smiled and said, "But it's understandable. Professor Xiao has worked with Mingya before."

Xiao Yi glanced at Luo Mingya and nodded at her.

Luo Mingya also smiled at him.

"I also heard it from Professor Chen." Xiao Yi pointed at Professor Chen next to him, and then said to Luo Mingya with a little curiosity: "But I am very curious, why do you suddenly plan to graduate?"

Luo Mingya shook her head and said, "Wait for my defense to finish first. There are still five minutes before my defense begins."

Hearing him say this, Xiao Yi had no choice but to nod.

Afterwards, under the guidance of Fei Xiaonan, he sat in the second row.
And sitting next to him was Sun Lina.

"Professor Sun, long time no see."

Xiao Yi nodded to Sun Lina.

At this time, Sun Lina also nodded at him, and then said weakly: "Professor Xiao, it's been a long time."

Seeing her like this, Xiao Yi thought that she was a little depressed because Luo Mingya was about to graduate, so he said comfortingly: "Professor Sun, don't be sad about Luo Mingya's graduation. After all, this day will come, and Luo Mingya is so outstanding that she will definitely continue to produce excellent results in the future."

However, Sun Lina just waved her hand and said, "Thank you, Professor Xiao, I know, I just...ah, I, ah, forget it, I won't say anything."

Xiao Yi had a face full of question marks.

At this time, the person sitting in the back patted Xiao Yi.

When Xiao Yi turned around, he saw Xu Ming and others.

Xu Ming came up and whispered in Xiao Yi's ear: "Xiao Shen, you are wrong. Teacher Sun is simply because she can't give up after the senior sister graduates."

Xiao Yi: “…”

The amount of help.

Okay, this sounds more reasonable.

Before, with Luo Mingya around, Sun Lina could have really given up. Thanks to Luo Mingya's output, their laboratory would always be in the first tier of their academy. But now that Luo Mingya is gone, Sun Lina has no choice but to make a comeback.

After taking a look at Professor Sun who looked like a lazy fish next to him, Xiao Yi said FUCK.

He even suspected that Luo Mingya suddenly made this decision in order to stop her cousin from being so bad.

Without further ado, Luo Mingya's defense soon began.

It is indeed as Professor Chen said before, Luo Mingya's graduation thesis has indeed maintained her usual high level.

It also seemed to be a continuation of Xiao Yi and his team's previous achievements on two-dimensional materials, with a deeper exploration.

As Xiao Yi read, he compared some of the discoveries involved in it with the design of high-temperature superconducting materials in his mind.

After all, the FeSe/SrTiO3 single-layer superconductor that initially inspired him is also a two-dimensional superconductor.

Today, he has basically mastered the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, but he is still a long way from creating a suitable high-temperature superconductor.

In the field of science, it is not an easy task to combine theory and practice.

Especially since he now wants to synthesize a high-temperature superconductor that can replace niobium-titanium alloy, it is even more complicated.

Theoretical guidance is only the first step. What comes next is the "Great Alchemy". At this point, no matter how smart a person is, it is impossible to easily synthesize truly useful materials based solely on theory.

Of course, this does not include those who cheat.

The mastery of materials gives Xiao Yi unlimited possibilities.

In this way, as time slowly passed, Luo Mingya's report gradually came to an end.

After finishing her thanks, Luo Mingya looked at the judges sitting in the first row and said, "Please give me your criticism and corrections."

All of these defense judges are academicians. In addition to academicians from the School of Materials, there are also academicians from other units. What’s special is that one of them is wearing a military uniform, with golden wheat ears on his shoulders shining brightly.

Obviously, this person is the academician of the project team that Luo Mingya is about to join. Maybe he is the person in charge. He came here specially and wore a military uniform to attend the defense. He probably came to support Luo Mingya.

As for Luo Mingya's paper, these academicians also asked some key questions and did not hold back.

But these questions were certainly not difficult for Luo Mingya. With her wonderful answers, these questions were all answered perfectly.

Academician Liao from the School of Materials began to give comments: "Mingya is the best student I have ever seen. Just like her paper, I think it not only reaches the level of a doctorate, but also reaches the level that only a few professors can achieve."

Another academician also nodded with a smile: "Indeed, there are too few young people who can achieve such results at Mingya's age."

Several other academicians also nodded.

Academician Liao turned to look at the academician in military uniform and said, "Academician Li, Mingya is going to your place now, so you can't treat her badly, or don't blame me for causing trouble for you later."

Academician Li immediately said, "Do you need to tell me this, Old Liao? Don't worry, Mingya will definitely be treated better with us than with you."

"Bullshit!" Academician Liao immediately retorted, "Going to your place will only make life difficult for Mingya, okay?"

The two academicians were about to quarrel, but Luo Mingya on the stage quickly interrupted them and said, "Thank you all for your comments. If we really want to choose the best student among those present, I am not one of them. There is someone who is even better."

(End of this chapter)