Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

In the guest room.

A group of top experts in the nuclear field gathered together to discuss the review process for tomorrow's dissertation defense.

"Chen Yuan is amazing."

"Yes, this young man is capable."

Xin Long, Xu Qiu, Chu Hong, and others praised it highly.

They had read the paper "Semi-Controlled Nuclear Fusion - Hydrogen Bomb Dyson Sphere" and were well aware of Chen Yuan's technical level.

Li Jian smiled slightly and said, "He's more than just capable; I think it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him the world's number one expert in nuclear technology."

"Oh?" Yuan Wanhua asked in surprise, "Xiao Li, what abilities does Chen Yuan possess that make you praise him so highly?"

Fan Zhen asked, puzzled, "I know some things about him. His research level in the nuclear field is indeed commendable, but to say he's the best in the world, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration?"

Xu Qiushen agreed, saying, "We signed a confidentiality agreement, so there are some things we can't reveal to Professor Yuan. Chen Yuan's research in the nuclear field is indeed very profound, and I deeply admire him. But the world is so big, and there are countless geniuses in the nuclear field. To say that he is the number one person in the world is too much of an exaggeration."

Yuan Wanhua is retired and at home. He did not see Chen Yuan's paper and is unaware of the specifics.

Xin Long said, "Xiao Xu, Teacher Fan, your understanding of Chen Yuan is too outdated. You're still stuck on that paper. He's recently come up with some amazing technology. After learning about it, I share the same thought as Lao Li: I believe he is the world's number one person in the nuclear field."

Chu Hong is Chu Yingying's father. He had praised Chen Yuan highly when he talked to his daughter on the phone before. Now, hearing Xin Long and Li Jian praising him like this, his curiosity was immediately piqued.

He asked, "What amazing technology? Can you tell me about it?"

Li Jian shook his head and said, "I can't say. Tomorrow you will be going to the China International Nuclear Fusion Energy Program Execution Center to serve as defense review experts. You should sign a confidentiality agreement beforehand, and you'll find out what's going on then."

Yuan Wanhua chuckled and said, "You're still keeping me in suspense, little Li. Fine, I know the rules. There are some things you can't ask too many questions about, so let's not ask anymore. Let's talk about how to give professional advice tomorrow."

Fan Zhen said helplessly, "We don't even know the specific content of the defense review, so what can we discuss?"

"that is."

"They told us to be experts for the project proposal defense, but they didn't say what kind of project it was. They only knew it was related to nuclear fusion, and they didn't even give us any direction to discuss."

"In the past, we would at least get some information about top-secret projects and have a general idea of ​​what to do. But this time, we were asked to be the defense review experts without any prior notice. I'm a bit confused."

Luo Yu, Xu Qiu, and a group of other academicians were extremely puzzled.

They had read Chen Yuan's paper "Semi-Controlled Nuclear Fusion - Hydrogen Bomb Dyson Sphere" and knew how in-depth his research in the nuclear field was. So they were very much looking forward to being the dissertation reviewers. But as much as they were looking forward to it, they couldn't even know in advance what the project they were reviewing was. Wasn't that too mysterious?

This mystery fueled their curiosity, making them eager to find the answers.

Li Jian blinked and said, "I can roughly guess what projects will be reviewed tomorrow. Although I can't reveal it, there's one thing I need to remind you: it's best not to express any opinions tomorrow, just listen quietly to Chen Yuan's introduction."

An academician named Jin Dongyang chuckled and said, "We're here as dissertation reviewers, how could we not offer our opinions? Old Li, I know you admire Chen Yuan, but that doesn't mean we have to refrain from giving our feedback, does it?"

Xin Long chuckled, "Old Jin, I advise you to listen to me, otherwise I'm afraid you'll lose face if you offer any suggestions tomorrow!"

Li Jian supported him, saying, "I believe I have done a very in-depth study of magnetic confinement fusion, but compared to Chen Yuan, I am worlds apart. Anyone who thinks their research in this area can reach a level that is worlds apart from mine, feel free to offer your opinions tomorrow. Anyway, I won't say anything."

"Yo."

"Old Li, you led the EAST project, and your research in magnetic confinement fusion is among the best in China. How could you think that you are worlds apart from Chen Yuan?"

"You're not being modest, are you?"

Not to mention that Yuan Wanhua was unaware of the situation regarding the Dyson sphere in the hydrogen bomb, he was quite puzzled upon hearing this.

Even Xu Qiu, Jin Dongyang, Chu Hong, and the others were extremely surprised at this moment.

The technology demonstrated by the Dyson sphere in the hydrogen bomb is very advanced, but it is neither magnetic confinement fusion nor inertial confinement fusion.

As the saying goes, everyone has their own area of ​​expertise.

Li Jian's academic achievements and accomplishments in magnetic confinement fusion are renowned.

Who among them dared to say that their skill level was significantly higher than his, let alone that they were worlds apart?

Even Yuan Wanhua, a leading figure in the field of magnetic confinement fusion, wouldn't dare say that.

Li Jian said seriously, "I'm not joking with you. Let me warn you first, although Chen Yuan only graduated with a bachelor's degree, his abilities are truly remarkable, beyond your wildest imagination!"

Xin Long added, "Everyone should heed Lao Li's advice and refrain from offering any opinions tomorrow to avoid humiliating themselves."

So you even said things like "to avoid humiliating yourself"?

Yuan Wanhua, Xu Qiu, Chu Hong, and the others exchanged glances, all of them seeing intense curiosity in each other's eyes.

They grew increasingly impatient, hoping tomorrow would come soon, eager to find out exactly what project Chen Yuan and the plasma physics research had applied for.

……

The next day, at 1 p.m.

More than a dozen big names in the nuclear field, including Yuan Wanhua, Jin Dongyang, Xin Long, Xu Qiu, and Fan Zhen, along with two financial experts, arrived at the China International Nuclear Fusion Energy Program Execution Center to prepare for their defense review.

As soon as the group arrived, staff members led them one by one to sign confidentiality agreements.

There's nothing wrong with signing a confidentiality agreement.

What happened was that after the group finished signing, they all had expressions of shock on their faces.

Not only was Yuan Wanhua, an expert who knew nothing about Chen Yuan, shocked, but even Chu Hong, Xu Qiu, Fan Zhen, Jin Dongyang, and others were deeply shaken.

Yuan Wanhua initially thought it was just a special nuclear fusion research and development project.

It was only when he signed the confidentiality agreement that he learned that the project he was reviewing for this defense was actually a controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor.

Chu Hong, Xu Qiu, Fan Zhen, and others were in a similar situation.

They initially thought the project being reviewed might be a "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere," but when they learned it was a real "controlled nuclear fusion" project, they were almost speechless with astonishment.

How long has it been since they learned about the "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere"? It seems like less than a month. Yet Chen Yuan has actually developed real controlled nuclear fusion technology?

To be honest, Chu Hong, Xu Qiu, Fan Zhen, and the others were a little skeptical.

There's nothing we can do; these things are too mysterious.

Semi-controlled nuclear fusion and true controlled nuclear fusion are technologically very different.

Furthermore, Chen Yuan went from semi-controlled nuclear fusion to controlled nuclear fusion without any transition, so how could they believe it?

In fact, Xin Long and Li Jian were equally surprised at this moment.

Their surprise stemmed from something different from others.

Yuan Wanhua, Chu Hong, and others were surprised by the "controlled nuclear fusion project".

What surprised Xin Long and Li Jian was the words "demonstration pile".

They were well aware that experimental reactors and demonstration reactors were different in nature.

One is still in the technology development stage.

One is to perfect the technology and then test whether it can be used and how well it works.

Xin Long and Li Jian initially thought that Chen Yuan's research on controlled nuclear fusion might fall into the category of "experimental reactors," but they were naturally surprised to learn that it was a "demonstration reactor."

Regardless, when everyone learned that Chen Yuan and the plasma physics research team had applied for a controlled nuclear fusion demonstration reactor project, their first reaction was: Am I crazy, or is the world crazy?

They were actually a bit skeptical and wanted to see if Chen Yuan would actually demonstrate controlled nuclear fusion technology during the defense and review process.

If it's just a demonstration, can the technology really reach the level of a demonstration reactor?