Chapter 348 He Is the Most Valuable Asset
Qin Anguo acted quickly. After the Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences gave a reply, he rushed from Beijing to Jinling the next day.
In the early morning, at the Sichuan-Haihai Materials Research Institute, Xu Chuan, who was rushing to do experimental research to optimize high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials, was caught by Qin Anguo and his team.
"Academician Xu, good morning."
Qin Anguo came up with a smile and greeted him warmly.
Seeing Qin Anguo, Xu Chuan was slightly stunned, then smiled and stepped forward to greet him: "Director Qin, long time no see."
Since Gao Hongming was assigned here, the director of the Department of Science and Technology rarely appeared in front of him.
Qin Anguo smiled and exchanged a few pleasantries, then introduced: "Come, come, let me introduce you."
"This is Academician Zhang Pingxiang from our Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He mainly studies the field of superconducting materials and has been engaged in the research of practical low-temperature and high-temperature superconducting material preparation technology for a long time."
"Academician Zhang, this is Academician Xu Chuan. The high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting material we have been studying these two days was developed by Academician Xu."
Xu Chuan smiled and walked forward, shook hands with Academician Zhang and said hello.
Academician Zhang Pingxiang wore a pair of glasses, and his eyes looked a little dull or wandering in the sky, but he was deeply impressed by Academician Zhang.
If there is any researcher in the field of superconductivity in China who is well-known in the world, Academician Zhang is definitely one of them.
The paper he proposed, "Basic Physical Properties of High-Temperature Superconductors Above 40K", covers a variety of systems such as copper oxide superconductors, fullerene superconductors, iron-based superconductors and organic superconductors.
It can be said that he is one of the founders of the high-temperature superconducting material system.
His research on the copper-carbon-silver superconducting system, as well as some inspiration and theory, came from the 40K high-temperature superconducting paper of Academician Zhang.
Qin Anguo brought him here this time, obviously intending to discuss with him about high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials, so he did not stay for long and brought people to his office.
After boiling a pot of water, Xu Chuan was about to make two cups of tea, when Qin Anguo slapped his head in annoyance, stood up with a smile, took out two well-packaged tea leaves from the backpack behind him, and stuffed them into Xu Chuan's hands.
"Academician Xu, this is the tea that the person asked me to bring to you."
Because of Academician Zhang's presence, Qin Anguo did not say who asked him to bring it, but he and Xu Chuan both knew who sent the tea.
Holding two boxes of well-packaged tea leaves, Xu Chuan was a little amused.
A few days ago, the old man said that he would ask someone to bring him two bags of tea leaves, and now they have been delivered.
But it just so happened that it would not be good to really invite Academician Zhang Pingxiang to drink the tea leaves that cost a hundred yuan a bag from Fan Pengyue.
After opening a package, Xu Chuan made a pot of tea, and the group started chatting in the office.
When talking about things related to superconducting materials, Academician Zhang, who originally looked a little dull, had a gleam in his eyes, and he became a little excited.
This is the confidence that a scientific researcher exudes after entering a familiar field.
After chatting for a while and exchanging some knowledge about the field of high-temperature superconducting materials, Xu Chuan smiled and said: "The research on superconducting materials is actually a field where 'experiments lead theories'."
"Many times we can only find superconducting materials by mixing various elements together like 'alchemy', and then we can figure out the mechanism through the materials. Academician Zhang's 40K theory is not only a well-known theory in China, but also in the world. You have pointed out a path for the development of high-temperature superconducting materials."
Zhang Pingxiang shook his head and said: "This is not perfect, it's just some basic conceptual things. If possible, I would like to find a way to the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity and room-temperature superconductivity."
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "That's right. A few days ago, I sorted out some mechanism theories about copper-carbon-silver composite materials. Would Academician Zhang like to take a look?"
Hearing this, Zhang Pingxiang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Xu Chuan to make this suggestion.
To be honest, for him, the mechanism theory of high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials is very tempting to him. But he has never thought about this core theory. Because this is the foundation of the material, and it is also the most important thing for writing papers later.
After hesitating for a while, he said, "Academician Xu is willing to discuss this with me?"
Xu Chuan smiled and said, "I am studying copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials, and I was inspired by your 40K theory, Academician Zhang. What's the big deal? I can't support superconducting materials alone. With an old predecessor like you, this road can go further."
For him, the mechanism theory of copper-carbon-silver composite materials is not actually a very important thing. Qin Anguo came here today, and the paper probably can't be published.
Instead of holding it in your hand, it's better to communicate with others.
Of course, the key is that the object of the communication is Academician Zhang Pingxiang. If it is someone else, he probably won't take out this theory.
On the one hand, when he was studying superconducting materials in his previous life, Academician Zhang gave him a lot of help. On the other hand, as he said, he can't take on the overall situation of the superconducting materials industry alone, and still needs the help of others.
In the office, Xu Chuan and Zhang Pingxiang chatted for a long time before they ended the communication with reluctance.
On the side, Qin Anguo also took the opportunity to intervene. He asked: "Academician Xu, do you have any ideas on how to deal with high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials?"
Xu Chuan did not answer, but asked instead: "Does Chief Qin have any good suggestions?"
Since Chief Qin is here today, the higher-ups must have considered these things.
Qin Anguo coughed, cleared his throat, and said, "That's it. Regarding the high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting material you developed before, the state will absolutely support all your legitimate rights and interests. It's just limited by this material. Due to the importance and particularity of your research, we hope you will be more careful about publishing your papers and applying for patents.”
"After all, these two aspects are enough to point out some directions and research paths for other countries. It is not easy for us to have a leading material now. After all, our foundation is still much shallower than those countries. , If we can maintain our advantage, it will be better.”
"So in comparison, it is a better choice to keep secret and build a factory on your own, or to cooperate with qualified domestic companies to produce this high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting material and then sell it to the outside world. Although this way to recover funds It will be a little slower, but it can ensure our advantages in the field of high-temperature superconducting materials.”
"If you, Academician Xu, are in urgent need of scientific research funds for your research, the state can provide an interest-free loan to the Sichuan-Hai Materials Research Institute. What do you think?"
For the young scholar in front of him, at the national level, his thoughts and opinions have to be carefully considered.
If he insists on publishing papers and applying for patents, there is honestly nothing the higher-ups can do. After all, it was impossible for them to take the risk of becoming enemies and forcefully stop this matter.
Because compared to a patent for high-temperature superconducting materials, he is a more valuable asset.
Hearing this, Xu Chuan smiled and said: "When I brought up this matter a few days ago, I had considered this aspect. The use of this material is indeed somewhat sensitive, so it is indeed more appropriate to produce it yourself and then sell it. "
"As for the production method of building a factory by ourselves, I'm afraid it's too late for the time being. Because one of the purposes of this material research is to replace ultra-low-temperature superconducting materials and provide strong magnetic fields for controllable nuclear fusion reactors. According to the current controllable The progress of the nuclear fusion project will require it to be used by this time next year at the latest.”
Hearing this, Qin Anguo also had a relieved smile on his face: "If this is the case, I can collect some lists of qualified manufacturers for you, and then you can choose them. I will ask someone to supervise you. The production of materials will be put on the schedule as soon as possible.”
Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile: "Okay, these are all small things. I can find someone to handle them on my behalf when the time comes."
Qin Anguo smiled and said: "No problem, don't worry, the country will never let you suffer."
After a pause, he continued: "In addition, when I come here this time, there is one more thing I want to ask you."
Xu Chuan: "What happened?"
Qin Anguo sorted out his words and said: "It's also about the high-temperature superconducting material you researched. Regarding this material, we would like to ask if you have any way to change its physical properties and reduce them. Its brittleness and improved toughness and strength properties can be used to make superconducting coils? "
After hearing this, Xu Chuan immediately understood what the boss wanted to do.
But in this matter, he really has no choice at the moment. Even if he directly took out the room-temperature copper-carbon-silver superconducting material, he could not change the physical properties of the material.
In fact, this is what he has been doing recently. High-temperature copper-carbon-silver superconducting materials are highly brittle, have low earthquake resistance and impact resistance, and are fragile, which greatly limits its use.
In equipment such as power generation and substation, even if superconducting properties can be achieved by freezing liquid nitrogen to the critical Tc temperature, vibration and interference caused by the equipment itself or the outside world during operation can easily cause damage to the core superconducting material inside. .
Even if there is cushioning material on the outside for protection, it cannot withstand the harsh environment where these equipments work.
But if you can slightly change its physical properties to make it less brittle, even if you lower some superconducting parameters such as critical temperature, critical magnetic field, and critical current density, it will be worthwhile.
Shaking his head, Xu Chuan said: "I'm afraid I can't do it for the time being. This is actually the direction I have been researching, but there hasn't been much progress yet."
On the side, Zhang Pingxiang suddenly said: "Academician Xu, can I join your team? I want to participate in research on improving the physical properties of high-temperature copper-carbon-silver composite superconducting materials."
"Don't worry, I won't be involved in any papers or profit distribution issues. Just treat me as an ordinary researcher in your research institute."
Hearing this, Xu Chuan glanced at Academician Zhang in surprise. He didn't expect him to bring this up. After thinking about it, he smiled and said, "If Academician Zhang doesn't mind that my place is small, I'll welcome him at any time."
Writer's words