From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 92 Experts? Who are the experts? Where did these experts come from?!

"Can it really create a whirlwind?"

"This is a great subject matter; it will definitely be captivating once filmed. Science programs are all about scientific accuracy! A touch of science fiction would make it even better..."

"Get ready, we'll shoot this!"

In the outer room of the laboratory, a group of people stood together discussing something.

Tan Yanming and Xu Peijun were both very surprised, as they were also researchers and had some understanding of the Zhang phenomenon.

It is precisely because of this understanding that we can better appreciate how significant a research advancement it represents to create a whirlwind using the Zhang phenomenon.

Li Jian from the Provincial Department of Science and Technology and the people from the TV program team were simply intrigued and thought the 'topic' was quite good.

Director Shen, the head of the program team, kept saying that their collaboration with the Provincial Department of Science and Technology and Jiangzhou University to produce a science program was not just for publicity and reporting, but they hoped that the program would have high viewership.

The biggest highlight of this shoot was the Zhang phenomenon.

The Zhang phenomenon is a completely new physical phenomenon discovered by the Jiangzhou University team.

Such a discovery in the field of fundamental physics is worthy of being included in the history of science and is naturally worth writing about in detail. The program can also help the public understand what the Zhang phenomenon is.

Another highlight is Zhang Minghao.

Zhang Minghao, a 23-year-old genius doctoral student, is labeled with tags such as "expulsion from Donggang University", "Zhang phenomenon", and "room temperature superconducting materials".

He's still young, and he's good-looking; there's so much about him that's worth paying attention to.

"The Zhang phenomenon, Zhang Minghao, and a shot of an experiment creating a whirlwind—these three highlights will definitely make the show appealing."

"When we do the experiment later, we need to film from multiple directions, using both cameras..."

As Director Shen was talking to the program team, he turned his head and noticed Zhu Bingkun beside him, a hint of disdain showing on his face.

This guy often gets close to the camera and always puts various restrictions on filming.

Zhu Bingkun also came over to remind them, "The entire laboratory cannot be filmed, not even a single shot is allowed. This place is confidential."

"You can't film the experimental equipment, especially the experimental platform; you have to zoom the camera up a bit."

"Also, the materials absolutely must not be photographed!"

Zhu Bingkun remained very cautious, as their research findings had not yet been published.

Even when results are published, they won't go into detail about every single step; they'll just describe the general experimental process. The most important thing is the experimental conclusions, how the research was conducted, and what specific findings were made, etc.

Their research findings can certainly be made public, but technical issues should be kept confidential if possible.

While waiting for the experiment to begin, the camera lens was also pointed at Zhang Minghao, and a short video was filmed of him giving a brief introduction to the Zhang phenomenon.

Zhang Minghao said to the camera, "This phenomenon is very amazing."

"When electrodes are applied to both sides of a special metal-ceramic material, the special metal-ceramic material releases a mysterious field force."

"What exactly it is has not yet been studied in more depth, but it is certain that it can cause airflow and can also make a conductor momentarily charged."

"Our research focuses on using this phenomenon to increase air circulation, and we have made some progress in this area."

"For example, we can already know the air movement that we can clearly feel..."

After filming was finished, Zhang Minghao did not wait outside, but went to the laboratory to help Xue Kun prepare for the experiment.

Not long after, Zhu Bingkun also came in.

They discussed it together and decided that since they were going to film the whirlwind, they should make the phenomena presented in the experiment more obvious.

Previously, we could only barely make out that it seemed to be a whirlwind, mainly because the laboratory was too clean, and even if there was a whirlwind, we couldn't see it at all.

After discussing it, the three of them fixed a large cardboard box above the experimental setup and placed some colored powder on it.

Once the experiment creates an airflow, the powder will be blown up in the direction of the flow, forming a vortex that can be seen directly.

The experiment preparation took more than an hour, and the last half hour was spent studying how to control the powder within a certain range so as not to contaminate the laboratory.

When everything was ready, Zhu Bingkun and Zhang Minghao walked out of the laboratory together.

Filming has begun.

Everyone looked up at the large cardboard sign through the glass window.

Xue Kun and Zhu Bingkun started the experiment together. Almost immediately, the powder on the cardboard began to scatter, and a whirlwind-shaped vortex quickly formed above it.

Li Jian, Director Shen, and the rest of the program team couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Reporter Wu Lili couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, then said with a hint of excitement, "Let's see, this is the Zhang phenomenon, which uses electromagnetic materials to create airflow, thus forming a whirlwind!"

The scene before my eyes was astonishing.

Creating a small whirlwind in the lab isn't really a big deal; it can be done using devices like fan blades.

Below is a whole bunch of electronic devices, completely unrelated to fans or power equipment, which looks quite amazing.

The whirlwind lasted for more than three minutes before gradually weakening.

Tan Yanming stared at it intently, and he said to Zhang Minghao in surprise, "I always thought ZXZ was just a tiny air fluctuation, but I never imagined it could be amplified to this extent."

He's an expert among laymen.

The Zhang phenomenon, also known as Zxz, was initially called 'electromagnetic interference fluidity'. Later, the 'electromagnetic transfer' phenomenon was discovered abroad, and it was then called the 'electromagnetic transfer phenomenon'.

Air flow is considered to be the vibration caused by the instantaneous electromagnetic transfer.

Although the theory is not perfect, the liquidity detection fluctuation is only 50 points at most, which is far less than the strength of blowing a breath.

That's clearly not the case now.

"Does your experiment essentially negate the electromagnetic transfer theory?" Tan Yanming asked in surprise.

Zhang Minghao laughed and said, "We didn't think that theory was correct from the very beginning."

"So we have been studying how to increase liquidity, and we have achieved some results."

"A little progress?!"

Tan Yanming said with a smirk, "Publishing this result is no less significant than discovering the zxz phenomenon; it's enough to cause a stir in the academic world!"

The production team didn't understand the underlying principles; they just thought the previous part had a science fiction feel to it.

Science segments need footage like this.

Director Shen was very satisfied.

Li Jian kept staring at the little whirlwind until no more powder could be seen above it. He was still very surprised and finally understood why Song Kaifeng had taken the lead in quickly approving the project.

This research can create whirlwinds using electromagnetic devices, which looks very impressive, and the prospects for further research and development are very promising.

Most importantly, the research was supported by the Dongchuan Provincial Research Fund.

That's what you call a political achievement!

……

The filming and interviewing work by the program team is not yet finished.

The follow-up will involve filming and interviewing individuals. Several short videos will be filmed for each participant in the project and will be interspersed in the program footage.

During this stage, some people become very proactive.

For example, Chen Shuai.

He kept leaning forward in front of the camera with his big belly, and the photographer cooperated by taking two shots before quickly calling for the next person.

Zhu Bingkun took more shots than him, but only a few more photos.

Zhang Minghao and Xue Kun filmed together.

Under the arrangement of Director Shen and the photographer, the two of them shot for more than half an hour.

Chen Shuai muttered sourly, "Are they taking wedding photos?"

"A photo of a master and his apprentice!"

Zhu Bingkun also felt a little bittersweet.

Zhang Minghao had more solo shots, while Xue Kun mostly filmed with Zhang Minghao.

After filming wrapped, Xue Kun thought back carefully and realized that he hadn't even had a single solo shot.

Why must teachers appear with their students?
The students were able to appear alone! The next step was the final interview. Since it was a science segment, not a special interview, it would just be a simple interview in the hallway, laboratory, or office, where they would answer a few questions.

Zhang Minghao was being interviewed while standing in the aisle. Director Shen even handed him a folder, and the presence of the folder gave off a busy vibe.

He casually added a folder and briefly explained the experiment and research.

The host, Wu Lili, asked a question about the difficulties in the research.

Zhang Minghao thought for a moment, then complained, "The hardest part of our research isn't the research itself, but the funding."

"As you can see, our lab environment is worse, and our equipment is much less advanced..."

“Funding applications are also very difficult. Our project application to the National Natural Science Foundation was rejected, and they even asked us to change our research direction. But we insisted that the research was correct and the direction should not be changed.”

"Fortunately, with the support of the province, we were able to apply for a project on a case-by-case basis."

Upon hearing about the support from the province, Li Jian immediately gave Zhang Minghao a thumbs up.

Host Wu Lili asked curiously, "Why was your project rejected by the National Natural Science Foundation of China?"

"Speaking of which, I find this strange too."

Zhang Minghao asked Wu Lili with a puzzled look, "ZXZ, is it a completely new physical phenomenon?"

"of course."

Wu Lili nodded immediately.

"In zxz's research direction, domestically speaking, only our team has discovered the phenomenon, which is also the only progress so far."

"So, can we say that we are the most professional in ZXZ's research field?"

“That’s one way to put it.” Wu Lili nodded in agreement.

"That's the problem. When we apply for projects, we need to go through peer review and expert review. I can understand peer review, since everyone is conducting research in the same direction and they are all peers."

"Expert review? Where are these experts? Which one is an expert?"

"A new phenomenon, a completely new research direction, a direction in which there has been no research progress in China. Apart from our team, who dares to claim to be an expert in this field?"

"What I can't understand is that these experts, who appeared out of nowhere, rejected our project application on the grounds that it was 'in the wrong direction'..."

……

The entire production team has left.

Tan Yanming, Zhang Minghao, and Zhu Bingkun saw Li Jian off and then, standing there, began discussing the interview questions they had just heard.

Tan Yanming stared at Zhang Minghao and said, as if giving a hint, "Try not to mention what you said during the interview."

Zhang Minghao laughed and said, "I only said a few words when the topic came up."

"And they won't broadcast it, will they?"

"The show probably won't air, but with so many people there, it's hard to say it won't get leaked," Tan Yanming said, shaking his head. "You're being too offensive by saying that."

Zhu Bingkun said, "I also think we shouldn't say that, but so what if we offend people? They're just colleagues, it doesn't matter."

Tan Yanming was stunned.

Zhang Minghao is young and impetuous, which is one thing, but Zhu Bingkun is already quite old, isn't he afraid of offending people?

Zhu Bingkun said, "We've offended enough people because of our research direction and because we applied for provincial science grants."

"There's a meeting at the Capital Institute of Materials Engineering today called the 'ZXZ Electromagnetic Transfer Phenomenon Symposium.' How many people are doing research in the ZXZ field? Our lab didn't even receive an invitation."

"The large circle in the zxz direction has already excluded us."

Tan Yanming was speechless for a moment, not knowing what to say.

While academic cliques and infighting exist in China, the zxz phenomenon is a new discovery, involving a small research team with few members, and there are not many conflicts of interest in the field of fundamental physics.

How could this research have escalated to this point?

……

The small conference room on the west floor of the first floor of the main building of the Capital Institute of Materials Engineering.

A banner hung above the podium that read "ZXZ Electromagnetic Transfer Phenomenon Seminar".

Yan Lihua stood on the podium, delivering a speech as the organizer. He explained that zxz was a completely new physical phenomenon, emphasized the importance of research, and explained the 'zxz electromagnetic transfer phenomenon'.

There were about twenty people in the audience, most of whom were scholars from teams that had replicated the zxz phenomenon and secured subsequent research projects.

This also includes three foreign scholars: Andrew Nee from Caltech, and Xi Feng and George Messinger from the University of Chicago.

Yang Xuewen was also there. He sat with Feng Xi and George Messinger, along with Cui Xiaoquan, Zhang Wenguo, and others who had come with him.

With only about twenty attendees, it was just a small-scale seminar.

The meeting was small in scale and the process was not very formal.

While Yan Lihua was speaking, some scholars in the audience were looking at their mobile phones.

Zhang Wenguo did just that; he not only looked at his phone, but also exclaimed in surprise, "Look at this from Cui Jifa!"

Yan Lihua on the stage immediately became somewhat dissatisfied.

The people next to them looked over and found that it was posted in the zxz group, so they also took out their phones to check it.

In the group chat, Cui Ji posted a video.

The video background features a photo of Zhang Minghao, while the audio content is an interview recording.

"I've always wondered if zxz is a new physical phenomenon..."

"Expert review? Where are the experts?! Who are the experts?!"

"These experts, who appeared out of nowhere, rejected our project application on the grounds that it was 'in the wrong direction'..."

The video has garnered a high number of views, and within two hours of its release, it already had dozens of comments.

The netizens' attitude was surprisingly consistent: "Well said, where do experts come from for new research!"

"Zhang Minghao is just outspoken!"

"Where did these experts come from? Can someone explain? How were they selected? What research findings have they made in the area of ​​the Zhang phenomenon?"

Most of the people in the meeting room were in the group chat, and soon everyone knew, including the American Chinese attendees, Andrew Nee and Feng Xi.

When they looked at Yan Lihua on the podium again, their eyes became strange.

Yang Xuewen is the same.

He and Zhang Minghao have a major conflict, but neither zxz nor anyone else dares to claim to be an expert.

Who among those present is an expert?
Yan Lihua!

As all attendees already know, Yan Lihua is one of the expert reviewers for the project application submitted by Zhu Bingkun's team, and a very important one at that.

After reviewing the application, he submitted his opinion to 'reject the project'.

Yan Lihua played a significant role in the rejection of Zhu Bingkun's team's project.

Zhang Minghao angrily criticized the "expert," wasn't he just criticizing Yan Lihua?
Yan Lihua finished his speech amidst the strange looks from the audience.

As he stepped off the stage, he couldn't help but ask about what had just happened.

Someone immediately showed Yan Lihua the video. After listening to Zhang Minghao's words, Yan Lihua's face turned bright red, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

After a long pause, he finally said, "I'm not an expert, I was just invited to be a judge."

"Everyone is doing research in the same direction, so let's not talk about who's an expert or not..."

There's nothing else that can refute that.

Zhang Minghao makes a very good point. How can someone claim to be an expert in a new field?

What are the research findings?
No matter how significant the research achievements in other fields are, they have nothing to do with zxz.

Yan Lihua took a deep breath, cursing countless times in his mind. The only thing he was thankful for was that no one online knew he was a 'review expert'.

In the end, he could only adjust his emotions and continue to chair the meeting with a dark expression.

(End of this chapter)