Nanyang 1931: From piglets to giants

Chapter 58 God’s Gift to the Chinese
Looking at Zhong Zhaolin, who was extremely excited, as if he had taken stimulants and could only vent his emotions by walking around the room in circles, and Zheng Yi, who was obviously also in a state of excitement and relaxation.

Although Wang Qiaoyun and Qian Qiwen were both confused, they also laughed. However, after looking at it for a long time, they really couldn't figure out what the thing that was constantly rotating in the laboratory was, and why it was said that such a small thing could create history and change China.

Zheng Yi simply introduced them, "Sister Qiwen, this is Professor Zhong Zhaolin, an electrical engineering expert from Jiaotong University in China. He holds a master's degree from Cornell University and was once an engineer at Westinghouse Electric."

"He gave up his high-paying job in the United States and returned to serve his country. When he came to Nanyang some time ago, he agreed to stay and help for a few years and return home after he had made something. He is my partner and is probably the most talented engineer and scientist in our factory, and even in Nanyang, besides me."

Zhong Zhaolin heard this and said seriously, "Mr. Zheng, Kuala Lumpur is overseas after all. Don't forget what you promised me. The reason I stayed here was because you would provide me with permanent magnet materials so that I could research permanent magnet motors."

"But after the research is successful, I must unconditionally bring the permanent magnet motor technology back to China, build a permanent magnet motor factory in China, and guarantee the supply of permanent magnet materials for me."

Zheng Yi: "Of course, I am also Chinese, and naturally I am willing to contribute to the industrial cause of my motherland. We have a gentleman's agreement. You only need to stay in Nanyang. Once the motor factory achieves mass production and is on the right track, you can return with your technology and permanent magnet materials to serve the motherland."

"You've worked hard these past few days. Now that you've achieved some progress, relax and take a break. As for your bonus... I've come up with three options. We can discuss them."

Zhong Zhaolin waved his hand and said indifferently, "You decide. If it was for the money, I wouldn't have returned to China. Staying here to help you has nothing to do with money. But I'm really tired now and need to rest."

As he spoke, Zhong Zhaolin's eyes went dark and he even staggered as he walked.

Obviously, in order to achieve the phased success of this motor, Zhong Zhaolin worked day and night and overdrew his body.

Seeing this, Qian Qiwen hurried forward, disregarding the distinction between men and women, and directly helped him up. She said, "Let me make the arrangements. I'll have someone take Professor Zhong to the Golden Peninsula Hotel for a bath, a massage, and a good night's sleep. We can celebrate together tonight. Okay, Professor? Let me introduce myself. I'm Qian Qiwen, the company's future Vice President of Administration."

Zhong Zhaolin looked up at her and nodded, but didn't say anything. He let her be supported and walked out to be arranged by the sisters who accompanied them.

A few minutes later, Qian Qiwen came back jogging and said, "Everything has been arranged. How will the celebration party be held tonight, and who will be invited? I can have someone prepare it in advance."

Zheng Yi thought for a moment and said, "Just... call Brother Li, and a few of us, and do it on a small scale. It's not appropriate to do it in a big way right now."

Off to the side, Wang Qiaoyun stared at the spinning object in the lab and asked, "Is this a motor? Aren't motors very common? Why are you so excited? You even say this thing can make history and change Nanyang."

Upon hearing this, Qian Qiwen's face showed just the right amount of curiosity.

Bragging to beautiful women was probably part of his pretense. Zheng Yi didn't hold back and explained it to the two of them naturally, saying:
"Look at this thing that keeps spinning. This is the core of the motor. The principle of the motor is to convert electromagnetic force into power through electromagnets."

"Look, after the electricity is turned on, these two electromagnets both have magnetic force and become powerful magnets. You've all played with magnets, right? When two magnets face each other, a huge magnetic force is generated between them. Do you understand this?"

"Through design, the two magnets generate a repulsive force to the left on the top and an attractive force to the right on the bottom. If you put a metal plate between the magnets, the repulsive force from above will push the top of the metal plate to the left, while the attractive force from below will pull the bottom plate back to the right."

"If a movable shaft is installed on this metal plate, the metal plate will flip over and rotate in circles on the shaft under the influence of the magnetic force."

"The stronger the electromagnetic force, the faster the metal plate will flip. By increasing the number of metal plates until there are hundreds of them rotating simultaneously, this rotation will generate enormous kinetic energy. At this point, the other end of the bearing is connected to our machinery, and this enormous kinetic energy can drive the machine to operate."

"This is the working principle of the motor, and it is also the essence of industrialization after the electrical industrial revolution. By burning dye to obtain electricity, the motor then converts the electricity into kinetic energy, and then uses the kinetic energy to drive the machine to replace manual labor. This is industrialization."

"Therefore, generators and electric motors are the foundation of the foundation of industrialization. Without our own electric motors, so-called industrialization is just a castle in the air built on other people's motors. Therefore, the electric motor is also called the mother of industry for this reason."

Zheng Yi's explanation was relatively easy to understand. In fact, in the industrial field, all principles are easy to understand. After all, the structure of motors in this era is not complex, and with a physical reference, it's easy to understand. Wang Qiaoyun: "So this is a motor. Now that you put it that way, I understand. It's essentially a magnet, right? So what do you mean by a permanent magnet motor? How is it different?"

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "The value of a permanent magnet motor is naturally that the electromagnet inside the motor structure is always magnetic. This is a very special material, completely different from traditional electromagnets."

"Traditional electromagnets have an inherent service life. Over time, their magnetic force gradually weakens until it disappears, which means the motor reaches the end of its life."

"As the name suggests, permanent magnet motors are electromagnets that are permanently magnetized. Therefore, the first major significance of permanent magnet motors is that their service life can be greatly extended."

"The second factor is the size and weight of the electromagnet. Look, this is an experimental model made with a traditional electromagnet, and this is a motor model made with permanent magnet material. Both motor models generate the same number of revolutions and can provide exactly the same amount of kinetic energy."

Wang Qiaoyun: "Eh? Are they the same? But this permanent magnet one looks so small."

"That's right, this is the second advantage of the permanent magnet motor. Its magnetic force is stronger, and it will be smaller under the same magnetic force. Moreover, permanent magnet materials support miniaturization. At the smallest, it can be built into a toothbrush to create an ultra-small motor, allowing the toothbrush to move itself to help us brush our teeth."

"In addition, permanent magnet motors are quieter and more energy-efficient."

Wang Qiaoyun: “…………”

Qian Qiwen: “…………”

What a psycho! Who would buy a thing that uses a motor to brush their teeth? He's too lazy to brush his teeth with his hands, so how could he not die of laziness?

But they did understand the meaning of this thing.

Longer life and smaller size.

Since it can be small enough to be put into a toothbrush, naturally, it can be put into industrial products of any size. It is also energy-saving, has a long life and low noise.

Even if they are not scientists, as long as they think about it a little, they can immediately understand the huge changes that this so-called motor upgrade will bring to the world.

Products that can be powered by electricity can be miniaturized for civilian, military and industrial use, and the application scenarios are too numerous to count.

This invention that changed the world is definitely well-deserved!
Qian Qiwen said, "But even if this is truly a great invention, it is at most a victory for you scientists.
Those foreign powers have been ahead of us in motor manufacturing for so many years, and we have just started. As long as they also master permanent magnet technology, our motors will still be inferior to theirs, right?

This technology is bound to change the world, but how can it change Nanyang? Why are you so sure that this technology can be used to compete with the British? Is this permanent magnet technology difficult to learn?

Zheng Yi smiled confidently upon hearing this, "Of course not. Permanent magnet technology is very simple. Professor Zhong wasn't being modest just now. He was able to develop this technology out of nothing in just two weeks. Western engineers will only be faster than him."

"But the most difficult part about permanent magnet motors isn't the technology, but the permanent magnet material. And I'm the only one in the world who has mastered this material."

Zheng Yi pulled out a small piece of metal from the lab and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, let me solemnly introduce this to you: rare earth elements. This is a true treasure bestowed by God upon us Chinese people, and upon the Chinese in Malaysia!"

(End of this chapter)