Research starts with PhD students

Chapter 339 New materials with huge economic value!

The study of materials science is very complex.

The research on superconducting materials has gone a step further, and complexity also represents the difficulty of research.

In terms of research results, simply improving a single property of a material is already a remarkable achievement.

For a basic superconducting material, just increasing the critical temperature by 2K is already a significant achievement, enough to publish a research paper in a top international journal.

Type 122 superconducting material is characterized by its strong current-carrying capacity and is considered to have high application potential.

In other words, this material is application-oriented.

In the theoretical research direction of superconducting materials, type 122 materials are generally not used.

For application-oriented materials, critical temperature is a big problem. For type 122 superconducting materials, as long as the critical temperature is improved, it will be a great achievement.

If we were to evaluate the results, the slight increase in the critical temperature of the Type 122 superconducting material would be enough to be considered the core achievement of a million-level project.

It is normal to have only one result of this level, but it is unimaginable to have seven at once, and all of them are on the same material.

When quantitative changes increase, they will lead to qualitative changes.

What would happen if we put all the variables with positive returns together to create a material?

Wen Shumao couldn't wait to think about it.

He walked on the road in the laboratory park, his eyes fixed on the material test report, and made a decision with full of excitement, "We will start the formal experiment tomorrow!"

After putting down the report, he thought about it carefully and still felt it was incredible.

Previously, when he saw the specific test results at the Materials Testing Center, he even began to doubt himself.

But then I thought...

Zhang Shuo!
Just as some people think, it seems normal for Zhang Shuo to achieve great results, because he has been creating miracles and completing research that others dare not even think about.

This may be the first time in the field of materials.

In the fields of mathematics, physics, and new physics, including various technologies derived from new physics, these were all things that were previously unimaginable, but he still completed these studies.

So what’s the big deal about creating a miracle in materials science?

In addition, there is one more point.

Now that the facts are in front of us, we have no choice but to accept them. What else can we do?

The most important thing is that the research was completed by their team. For both the team and him personally, great results will only benefit them, not harm them.

After figuring it out, Wen Shumao couldn't wait to carry out the next experiment.

Zhang Shuo is not engaged in materials research, but he is doing this. When he saw the hope of creating superconducting materials with excellent performance, he simply couldn't help himself.

As for the original doubts, they have long been forgotten.

After returning to the office, he immediately called together the core staff and gave them instructions on their work. “Take a break today, but get back to work tomorrow.”

"We need to work harder to do the next experiment well. The next experiment is very important."

"You have all seen the results, and I believe you know what to do next..."

Of course everyone else knows it.

Many people feel the same as Wen Shumao. They are all amazed by the test data and feel very excited after receiving it.

The next step, of course, is to combine all the variables to create a specific superconducting material.

When they thought about the possibility of producing superconducting materials with extremely excellent properties, everyone became re-energized and forgot all the fatigue of the past week. They couldn't wait until the next week to know the final results of the experiment.

The entire team only relaxed for a few hours before becoming busy again in the afternoon.

This busyness was much better than last week because there was only one experiment to conduct.

Even if many processes, including added elements, are changed, if only one experiment is conducted, not so many people are needed and the work will not be too busy.

For example, people who directly carry out experimental operations will definitely have an easier time during their work.

Before, I had to operate 7 materials continuously, but now I only have to operate one. A lot of time is spent waiting, so I have relatively free time.

……

Zhang Shuo also learned the results that day, but he did not show any excitement. Instead, he said calmly, "Very good, every one of them is a positive return."

"If we put them together, it might be good..."

He didn't say it absolutely.

Wen Shumao thought he understood Zhang Shuo's judgment, because that's how materials research works. Putting two positive return variables together may not necessarily result in positive returns.

This is not just simple mathematical addition.

During the material preparation process, each process may affect each other.

Even if there is only one conflict in operation or element properties during the process, the experiment may fail directly, and the material produced may not even have superconducting properties.

Therefore, it is normal for Zhang Shuo to judge it as "maybe".

Wen Shumao also believes that "there is hope to produce high-performance superconducting materials."

There is hope, that is enough.

Wen Shumao and Zhang Shuo discussed the material testing results, and then talked about the next step of experimental work and the new experiments that would be conducted soon.

“If the final result is not ideal, we will conduct a spin-off experiment.”

“For example, put variables one and two together, split them up and conduct experiments on them separately to see what specific conflicts or problems may arise.”

“We need to conduct research on these variables…”

He said a lot of things in a row, and it seemed that he had planned the experimental plan for the whole year, and he also mentioned that he would apply for a project based on this.

Of course, we have to ask Zhang Shuo about this.

Zhang Shuo didn't care at all. He would definitely not participate in such annoying research. He just replied briefly, "Professor Wen, I'll leave this work to you."

“I believe your team can do a good job…”

"Thank you!"

Faced with Zhang Shuo's trust and affirmation, Wen Shumao was somewhat excited, and he was indeed full of energy.

The experiment officially began on the second day.

All the people involved in the work are very motivated. Many of them, like Wen Shumao, have been engaged in the research of superconducting materials.

Such a major research breakthrough can be said to be unprecedented in my life, and it was previously unimaginable.

Everyone wants to know the results and is very focused and serious about the work at hand.

For a week, the only topic of discussion in the lab was, "What will happen in the end?"

“Will these variables conflict? Can the ideal material be produced?”

"I think it's definitely possible. This is the research of Academician Zhang Shuo!"

"Now that you put it that way, I feel more confident."

"How high do you think the critical temperature of the material will be? It should be no problem to increase it by more than 15K by adding all the variables together, right?"

"Addition is almost the same."

"It would be ideal if the critical temperature could be raised to above 50K. Would this result be published in Nature?"

“By then, will it have the potential for large-scale application?”

Some people have begun to calculate the material manufacturing costs, while others have estimated the data of the materials that can be manufactured based on the original material testing data.

This method is of course unscientific.

Each step in the preparation of a single material will affect each other. Some processes that improve the performance of the material may have a negative impact when put together. No one knows what kind of material will be prepared before the material is prepared and the final material is tested.

Zhang Shuo doesn't know this either.

The only thing he could be sure of was that he would be able to produce a superconducting material with a critical temperature exceeding 60K, because the mission had been accomplished, and the completion of the mission meant that there was no problem with the material preparation process.

If the final material prepared is not ideal, it only means that there is a problem in the operation process.

The mission is completed, which also means the research is completed.

So Zhang Shuo did not continue to wait, but left a day earlier and went to Liu Zhiwen's gravity spacecraft research base, and only asked Guo Hua to stay and continue to participate.

Guo Hua will be responsible for communicating with the chaos force field experimental group. After the materials are prepared, he will contact all parties to manufacture a batch and send it to the hadron collider experimental base.

Before leaving, Zhang Shuo briefly explained the work to Wen Shumao, and then said, "I'm leaving first, the rest of the work is up to you."

"If you have anything to say, tell Guo Hua and he will contact me."

Zhang Shuo didn't leave the day before the experiment, but because Liu Zhiwen urged him too much.

The second-generation gravity spacecraft will soon be tested.

The test flight work is very important and has received the attention of the highest-level teachers. Many senior teachers will come, and some teachers will even come in advance.

This put a lot of pressure on Liu Zhiwen, who was afraid that something unexpected might happen during the test flight.

So he really hoped that Zhang Shuo could come early.

As long as Zhang Shuo is present, I feel safe even if I do nothing.

……

"Just leave like that? Without looking at the outcome?"

Many people were puzzled by Zhang Shuo's departure, including Professor Xue Changkun from the Experimental Testing Center.

This is also the last day of the experiment.

The new material has been prepared and sent to the material testing center.

Xue Changkun put the materials in the testing room and couldn't help but say a few words to Wen Shumao, "I just found out that Academician Zhang Shuo left yesterday?"

"Yeah, he said he left the work to us."

Wen Shumao had a bitter smile on his face. It felt good to be trusted by others, but leaving the day before the end of the experiment showed that he really didn't care about the results.

This kind of thing would never happen to him. No important matter could be as important as his research.

He thought about it carefully for a long time, trying to understand Zhang Shuo's behavior, and finally he could only come to the conclusion that "Zhang Shuo is very confident". In addition, Zhang Shuo really doesn't care about the research results.

Of course, it is impossible for anyone to seize his research results.

Wen Shumao told Xue Changkun his judgment, and then smiled bitterly, "I even think that Academician Zhang Shuo has fully understood the underlying theory of materials research."

"Is there a complete theory for materials research?" Xue Changkun looked confused.

"It's precisely because there is no such thing that I can't figure it out!" Wen Shumao said, shaking his head. "Maybe it's just that we ordinary people can't understand geniuses."

"If you put it like that, I'll understand."

Xue Changkun also shook his head, then couldn't wait to enter the testing room and asked others to start the testing work.

During the testing process, many people gathered at the door of the testing room.

They discussed while waiting.

Among them were members of Wen Shumao's team, as well as some important figures, such as Cai Junhua, director of the Institute of Electrical Engineering of the Academy of Sciences, and Academician Zhou Jianqiang, the head of the laboratory. They all knew the results of the previous experiment and were very much looking forward to the performance of the newly prepared materials.

Amid the discussion, the door of the testing room opened.

The corridor suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at Professor Xue Changkun who came out.

Xue Changkun was holding a printed report document in his hand, with a complex expression of confusion and excitement on his face. He raised his head and looked over.

"How about it?"

"Is this the test report? Let me see it."

Cai Junhua, Zhou Jianqiang, and Wen Shumao stood up together.

Xue Changkun handed the file to Cai Junhua, then sighed and said a number, "81k."

"what?"

Several people around immediately looked over.

Wen Shumao thought he had misheard and asked repeatedly, "How much did you say?"

"81k!"

Xue Changkun repeated the data, his tone obviously filled with excitement.

"81k?"

This time it was Cai Junhua who spoke. He didn't even look at the document and just asked loudly.

"81k! 81k! 81k!"

Xue Changkun shouted three times in a row in great excitement.

"Hula~~~"

The corridor was quiet for a moment, then there was an uproar. Others gathered around and asked with excitement and shock, "Really? It's so high!"

"real or fake!"

"Can the test go wrong? Professor Xue, are you sure?"

"Yes, absolutely sure!"

Xue Changkun nodded vigorously, confirming the test results. "We tried it several times. He used liquid nitrogen to cool it down, and it worked!"

"The critical temperature is between 81k and 82k, there is no problem, and the current carrying capacity is also quite high, 872% higher than CF-27!"

“I can’t believe it…”

81k!

This data not only represents that the critical temperature of the material has been greatly improved, but also the high current carrying capacity of the 122 type material means that the material has value for large-scale use and can completely replace all widely used superconducting materials.

Even if the preparation cost of the material is higher, it will not affect its application value at all.

Because the critical temperature is high!

Around 77K, it is the watershed for creating the critical temperature of the material, which directly determines the cost of material application.

Below 77K, for superconducting materials to enter the superconducting state, they must be cooled with liquid helium, which is the substance with the lowest boiling point among known substances and remains in a liquid state when approaching absolute zero.

Above 77K, generally above 80K, liquid nitrogen can be used for cooling.

The cost of liquid helium is significantly higher than that of liquid nitrogen.

Liquid helium is a rare gas and has a relatively high acquisition cost. In the domestic market, more than 95% of helium needs to be imported, and the price is relatively more expensive.

In contrast, nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the air and is relatively easy and cheap to obtain.

The acquisition cost difference between the two is very large.

Therefore, when the critical temperature of the material exceeds 77K, the economic potential of superconducting energy saving is very huge.

Now, not only is the critical temperature high, but it is also a 122-type material with a strong current-carrying capacity, which can definitely replace most of the superconducting materials on the market.

One can imagine how much economic value is contained therein.

(End of this chapter)