The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 241: A Thought Awakens the World

Arrived at the door of the laboratory.

Before Li Mu went in, he ran into Huang Xinhua who was coming out.

He greeted, "Good morning, Professor Huang!"

"Good morning." Huang Xinhua smiled slightly, and then said, "You came here for no reason to ask about the development of CMOS image sensors, right?"

His research here is mainly on integrated circuits, so it is relatively easy.

Even though Li Mu suddenly assigned him a task with CMOS image sensor, he didn't feel much pressure.

"Yes, how is the progress on your side?" Li Mu nodded and asked.

Without CMOS image sensors, it would be difficult to continue the development of semiconductor cameras, let alone expand the photographic equipment market.

Huang Xinhua smiled and said:
"Don't worry. With the foundation of CMOS technology and your proposal, the development of CMOS sensors is going smoothly."

"We have completed the production of components such as the pixel array, row driver, column driver, and timing control logic, and are about to enter the debugging stage."

"Although there are still many difficulties in achieving the image quality and resolution you require, but if I give you some time, it will be no problem."

His words put Li Mu's worries at ease.

He still had great confidence in Huang Xinhua's abilities. In terms of CMOS technology, if he did not rely on information from later generations, he might not be as good as Huang Xinhua.

"Then I'll leave it to you, Professor Huang. Remember to notify me when you finish it so I can come and see it." Li Mu said.

After that, he continued to discuss some design concepts of CMOS image processors with Huang Xinhua.

The novel ideas and design methods amazed the latter and they said they benefited a lot from it.

……

At noon, after lunch.

Li Mu originally wanted to ride a bike to the Institute of Atomic Power, but it suddenly started snowing heavily, so he could only take the car driven by Guan Jianmin.

While driving, the latter couldn't help nagging him, asking him to take care of his health and not to continue his high-intensity research.

Hearing Li Mu's bitter smile, the latter couldn't stand the nagging and had to respond a few words. Only then did the latter feel relieved.

……

Arrived at the Institute of Atomic Power and passed the security inspection.

Li Mu got out of the car, waved to Guan Jianmin who seemed worried and ready to nag him, and then walked towards the experimental building with mottled walls.

Although the Institute of Atomic Power is conducting research on national-level scientific projects, the country is currently facing financial difficulties, and it is not just them who are facing this problem; everyone is in the same situation.

"Maybe I can consider talking to Zhang Guoying about donating two buildings when I have a chance." Li Mu thought to himself.

He still had a large sum of money in his bank account, but he had no idea where to spend it.

"But compared to the experimental building, I think what they need more is experimental equipment." Li Mu sighed slightly.

Although I have some money, those high-tech experimental equipment are not just expensive. Each one is priced sky-high, and most importantly, they are difficult to buy.

While thinking, he walked up the stairs and came to the magnetohydrodynamic propulsion development group.

In the laboratory, Zhang Guoying is leading the researchers in the institute to continue experiments on superconducting magnets, and the progress seems to be relatively smooth.

Noticing Li Mu coming in, Zhang Guoying continued to complete the experiment in his hand, then wiped the sweat from his forehead and came over, exclaiming:

"Advisor Li, you really have a keen eye. You found the key to the problem right away."

"The development of superconducting magnets is going very smoothly. We just need to continue the experiment and success will be not far away!"

"Okay, then let's keep up the good work and strive to complete the development of the magnetohydrodynamic thruster as soon as possible." After Li Mu said this, he was about to continue the experiment immediately when he suddenly found that Zhang Guoying seemed to be in trouble.

He frowned and asked, "What's wrong? Is there any problem?"

"That can't be called a problem." Zhang Guoying hesitated for a while before saying, "It's just that the key materials, such as superconducting magnets, liquid helium and liquid nitrogen, are too expensive!"

This answer made Li Mu stunned, and then he suddenly realized that he had made a big mistake.

……

Li Mu was busy until the evening, and only at Zhang Guoying's reminder did he go to the canteen to fill his hungry stomach.

After getting his meal, he gobbled it up while thinking about what Zhang Guoying had said during the day.

Technically, there is really no big problem with magnetic fluid propulsion.

But it is expensive and sometimes more difficult to solve than technical problems.

Although the higher-ups will certainly continue to support their research with all their might, if the cost is too high, it won't be worth it.

"We must develop magnetohydrodynamic thrusters, but mass production is definitely not possible. We need to think of ways to see if we can recover some of the costs." Li Mu thought to himself.

Next, he thought of using superconducting magnets to produce products to subsidize the huge investment in the research of magnetohydrodynamic thrusters.

Superconducting magnets are superconductors that also maintain magnetism.

This superconductor has a wide range of applications not only in magnetohydrodynamic thrusters, but also in medical treatment, power transmission, electronic devices, cooling technology, etc.

For example, electronic devices will further develop superconducting integrated circuits for use in fields such as high-performance computing and quantum computing that require extremely high efficiency.

Of course, it is quite difficult to achieve this with current technical conditions, but there is no harm in doing research in advance. After all, it is a high-tech product and there is no worry about not being able to sell it.

"It's better to develop something first and make some money. Otherwise, there may be problems with the funding for research and development in the future." Li Mu thought to himself.

Although this is an exaggeration, it is not impossible.

In case of financial constraints, although the higher-ups will not cut the R&D funding for the project he is in charge of, they will definitely cut funding for other units.

If this really happens, it would be a serious sin.

Putting aside the idea of ​​superconducting integrated circuits for the time being, Li Mu continued to search for currently achievable superconductor applications through the chat page.

Soon, he found a pretty good technology - magnetic resonance imaging.

In 46, two scientists, Felix Bloch of Swiss and Edward Mills Purcell of Müller, discovered the phenomenon of nuclear magnetic resonance and won the Nobel Prize in Physics for it.

However, magnetic resonance imaging technology did not appear until 73.

It took another four years for clinical applications, and the first magnetic resonance imaging device was not put into use until 4.

As one of the important tools for modern medical diagnosis, the importance of magnetic resonance imaging is self-evident. It can be widely used in clinical diagnosis, scientific research and other fields, greatly promoting the rapid development of medicine, neurophysiology and cognitive auditing.

Although Li Mu was not interested in investing too much energy in medicine, this did not prevent him from developing new equipment to improve the domestic medical level. However, there were problems. The price of the MRI was a bit exaggerated. The first commercial MRI cost 3000 million dollars.

Of course, the actual cost is definitely not that expensive; what is expensive is the technology.

But even so, the research investment is probably in the tens of millions of dollars, and it is necessary to carefully examine the market.

It’s not enough to produce it, you also have to sell it.

Just when Li Mu was thinking seriously, Zhang Guoying, who had already finished his meal, gently pushed his shoulder and said, "Advisor Li, why don't you go back and rest early today."

"Anyway, I think Dean Guo will call me in a while."

"Okay, Director Zhang, then you and your team will continue the research. I will explain the cost issue to President Guo personally." Li Mu thought about it and nodded.

Hearing this, Zhang Guoying was about to say something when he left in big strides.

……

After saying goodbye to Zhang Guoying, Li Mu looked at the time. It was not yet 7 o'clock, so he rode his bicycle to the gate of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Guo Mo had been busy all day and was about to call to ask about Li Mu's situation when he heard two knocks on the door.

He looked up and said in surprise, "Huh~ That's strange, you weren't busy doing research in the lab today?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed Li Mu's serious expression.

"What's wrong? Have you encountered any difficulties?" Seeing this, Guo Mo's face became serious and he hurriedly walked up to ask.

Li Mu felt ashamed:
"Thank you for your concern, I have not encountered any difficulties."

“But I made a big mistake by misjudging the cost of superconducting magnets, liquid helium and liquid nitrogen.”

"The cost of a magnetohydrodynamic thruster is now as high as tens of millions. Our gains are really not proportional to the cost."

"Oh, I thought it was something else, but it's this." Guo Mo smiled and said, "Do you think the higher-ups don't know how much money the magnetohydrodynamic thruster costs?"

"But no matter how much money is spent, it is not as important as its strategic significance."

"It's like the Ethan Allen-class strategic nuclear submarine of the M Empire. It costs more than hundreds of millions of dollars, but its deterrent significance is much higher than this value."

"The same is true for magnetohydrodynamic propulsion. With it, our country will have a higher deterrent power in naval battles, and they will not dare to invade easily."

After hearing his explanation, Li Mu felt a little relieved, but he was still filled with guilt.
He immediately took out the application plan for superconductors that he had written last night and said:

"That's true, but in the end I miscalculated the cost, and I must take responsibility for it."

"This is a proposal I wrote, which contains ideas about the application of superconductors.

“I plan to develop a medical device. If it is successful, the selling price can reach tens of millions of dollars, which is enough to recover the development cost of the magnetohydrodynamic thruster.

"But we need some medical experts and, of course, the most important thing is a professional laboratory."

To develop a magnetic resonance imaging device, he would not be able to rely solely on the research resources at hand, and he must get Guo Mo's approval.

Hearing this, Guo Mo was stunned for a moment, and said without thinking: "Okay, of course, as long as you want to study, we will definitely support you."

"But why did you suddenly think of developing medical equipment? You have never been involved in this medical field before."

He believed that Li Mu would not speak casually, and since he had brought it up, he must be sure of it.

But it is not enough for him to believe, he also needs a reason to convince others.

"Of course I don't know much about the medical field, but I am familiar with the field of materials." Li Mu smiled slightly and continued: "In fact, this magnetic resonance imaging device does not involve much medical knowledge. The key is superconductor technology."

"This technology happens to be closely related to our superconducting magnets, and subsequent in-depth research and breakthroughs will not be a big problem."

"Using this technology, we can benefit in many areas, such as power transportation, reducing power loss through zero resistance and improving power transmission efficiency, and cooling technology to meet the high heat dissipation requirements of large computers, nuclear reactors and other equipment."

"Of course, the most feasible technology at present is magnetic resonance imaging technology..."

……

Guo Mo listened to Li Mu's words, and his hand, which was about to be raised to drink tea, froze in mid-air.

It was not until Li Mu finished speaking and called him twice that he came back to his senses from the shock, put down the enamel cup, and was so surprised that even his speech speed slowed down:

"Then you should immediately draft a plan that includes not only magnetic resonance imaging devices, but also all the application areas of superconductor technology."

"This will not only solve the cost problem, but also add strength to the development of our semiconductor industry."

"The group now has people and space, what it lacks is direction. As long as you can come up with a plan, we can start research and development immediately!"

His face was filled with joy. Obviously, his eagerness to develop products to make money showed that he was not unmoved by the huge cost of the magnetohydrodynamic thruster, but he just couldn't show it in front of Li Mu.

Looking at Guo Mo's reaction, Li Mu became more eager to make money.

The semiconductor group is huge in scale, and one or two products cannot satisfy the researchers of the entire team.

He needs more products to fill the gap.

Thinking of this, Li Mu immediately returned home after finding out from Guo Mo the time of the technical team's next internal meeting.

He locked himself in the study, took a deep breath, and without rushing, sorted out his current research plan:

The research and development of CAD, CAM, CAT and other software remains stable without much change.

The development of the lightweight pulse Doppler radar is still in preparation, and the software system team has just been established, so it requires a little more attention. However, with Wang Shoujue watching over it, there is no need to worry too much.

It is certainly impossible to develop and industrialize magnetohydrodynamic thrusters for mass production, but there is no problem with success, so there is no need to worry too much at the moment.

What needs relatively more attention is the semiconductor camera. At present, the development of CMOS image sensors is going smoothly, but there are still many difficulties to be overcome in the future.

For example, research on core components such as lenses, processors, and memory slots.

Although their lens technology has made great progress when developing distributed projection lithography machines, there are still significant differences between lithography machine lenses and camera lenses.

The former focuses more on high precision and complexity, while the latter requires high imaging and optical performance.

These all take time to break through.

"I originally planned to do them one by one, but now it seems that I can just spread out the stall first and then do them all at once." Li Mu thought secretly in his heart.

If one’s thoughts are clear, the world will be broad.

His thinking became more open.

Not only CMOS image sensors, but also CCD image sensors can be included in the R&D plan.

(End of this chapter)