Chapter 297: Unexpected Surprise from Materials

Zhang Jin was successfully brought into the new aerospace materials project team. In order to produce results as quickly as possible, with the cooperation of the two departments, the materials laboratory was successfully configured that week.

The location is at the School of Materials Science of Yanda University.

In addition to the two leaders Xu Yuan and Zhang Jin, the project members also include professors from the School of Materials Science.

It is also worth mentioning that the news was received from Qinghua School of Materials.

Relevant professors were also selected to participate in the support.

Xu Yuan did not refuse this.

After all, the stronger the project team is, the faster they can develop new aerospace materials.

This also means that the lowest-ranking official among the final project members is professor.

Those doctoral students can't even get a position as an assistant.

However, as the Spring Festival is approaching, it is impossible to get back on track before the New Year.

We can only do some theoretical analysis and research first.

Run-in the team.

Xu Yuan was not idle in this regard. Through the changes in the progress bar on the panel, he completed a material direction plan for subsequent research based on the original aerospace materials.

These include alloy materials, as well as lightweight composite materials.

All we can say is that if we follow his direction of research, the materials that can be obtained through experiments, even if they cannot meet the requirements of the new generation of spacecraft, will surely have better performance than the materials currently used. Basically, the newly developed materials are all valuable and are not so-called failures.

This also shows Xu Yuan's terrifying advantage in the field of materials.

If you try to develop a whole-material material normally, failure is commonplace.

I don’t know how many failed junk materials I have to produce before I can get a new material with decent performance.

A lot of sunk costs need to be invested in the process.

This is why, in most cases, the research and development of each new material will be very long.

But Xu Yuan can solve this problem perfectly.

Now with the help of an excellent team, he is confident that he can develop new aerospace materials that can meet the performance requirements of the new generation of spacecraft in a very short period of time.

-

This year's Spring Festival, Xu Yuan took his family back to his hometown in Guyuan County.

By the way, get together with relatives and friends.

In fact, it is relatively more convenient to stay in Yanjing for the New Year, and you don’t have to spend too much.

After all, his current identity is too important, and when he returns to his hometown in Guyuan County, all departments must make arrangements in advance.

This ensures the safety of him and his family.

But in order to take care of parents' homesickness, there is still much that needs to be done.

that's it.

In the end, Xu Yuan and his family stayed in Guyuan for about ten days, and returned to Yanjing smoothly a few days after the Chinese New Year.

And immediately plunged into the intensive material research and development work.

……

"In the next two months, we will experiment with these metals and use various synthesis methods to improve the material's properties such as high temperature resistance and structural stability."

“I hope the experiment goes well.”

"The Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation is waiting for us now."

2021 2 Month 22 Day.

on Monday.

Yanda New Aerospace Materials Research Laboratory.

In the room, Xu Yuan handed several documents to Zhang Jin and others. They were the plans he had completed during this period.

By replacing different metals in the original aerospace materials, we experimented to obtain materials with better performance and completed this project in the fastest time.

For experts in the field of materials, such as Zhang Jin, if other people asked them to conduct experiments within a designated scope, they would most likely not accept such a situation.

After all, there is no guarantee that the defined scope is the correct experimental direction.

If all the wrong answers are included, then even in the end, we still won’t get new materials with superior performance.

If this is the case, it is better to trust your own judgment.

But everyone is very familiar with Xu Yuan's talent and level in the field of materials.

It is no exaggeration to say that a miracle happened.

Under this premise, they would naturally have no objection to Xu Yuan's arrangement.

Because as long as Xu Yuan's division is correct, their experimental time will be greatly reduced.

If we are extremely lucky, we might be able to develop the required new aerospace materials next month and successfully complete this project.

After Zhang Jin and others took the document, they immediately lowered their eyes and looked at it carefully.

After a few minutes, Zhang Jin raised his head first, with an excited smile on his face, and said:
"It seems that we won't have to spend too much effort on this project. With such a good thing, it can greatly reduce our experimental research and development time. This time, we have to rely on you, Academician Xu."

As the dean of Yanda School of Materials Science, Zhang Jin’s level in the field of materials is naturally high.

Even if you just glance at the contents of the file, you can make a judgment in a very short time.

It can be basically confirmed that the scope divided in the document is indeed the most suitable experimental direction for new high-temperature resistant aerospace alloy materials, which is equivalent to eliminating many experiments that are doomed to fail.

This will definitely be faster.

At this time, the other people around also came to their senses, and their expressions showed the same expression as Zhang Jin, as if they could all see the value of the contents of the document.

In addition to Zhang Jin, the others are professors from Yanda School of Materials Science and Engineering and Qinghua.

The main purpose of applying to join this team was to be able to participate in the materials project with Xu Yuan.

During the experiment, perhaps you can learn from Xu Yuan some methods or techniques that are more conducive to personal growth, which will have a significant effect on improving your own level.

After all, Tian Zhen and other team members were the best examples in their previous research on the Riemann hypothesis.

Before these five people joined the Riemann hypothesis research group, their fame might have been limited to colleges and universities. Even if they were talented in mathematics, they would be like gold buried in the mud if they were not discovered.

Maybe it will never be washed out in a lifetime.

But after proving the Riemann hypothesis, the five of them suddenly became world-renowned mathematicians.

The gap between before and after is quite large.

The key change in the entire process took less than a year.

This time it was even more unexpected. No one expected that Xu Yuan had prepared so thoroughly for this project.

Just as Zhang Jin said just now, they really don't need to put in too much effort now.

The goal can be achieved.

The thought stayed here, and others took over the conversation and responded.

"Academician Xu has made very thorough preparations. Even if we don't participate in this project, the emergence of new domestic aerospace materials should not be delayed for too long."

"These experimental directions are very reasonable. I can't wait to start the experiment immediately."

“It’s such an honor to be able to join this project.”

"We will definitely live up to your expectations, President Xu, and strive to get the results as quickly as possible."

……

Xu Yuan listened to everything they said, then spoke to them with a smile on his face.

"Individual strength is always effective. When we can develop new aerospace materials, it still depends on the cooperation of all of us."

"If there are no further questions, let's get started."

As Xu Yuan finished speaking, all project members including Zhang Jin stopped talking and immediately returned to their respective experimental posts and started the experiment according to the directions in the document.

Not long after.

A serious atmosphere permeated the entire laboratory.

The main reason is that anyone picked out from the entire research team are professors, which is definitely different from experiments involving doctoral students or even graduate students.

However, this also means that even simple tasks have to be done by professors themselves during the experiment.

But everyone enjoys it.

Even enjoy the process.

After all, previous experiments with new materials have generally yielded pessimistic results.

Most of the time, I don’t think I will succeed.

Now, every experiment can yield some results, even if it is just a slight improvement.

The situation is naturally different.

In addition, as Xu Yuan told everyone, in the process of their research and development of new aerospace materials, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation's research and development progress on the Long March 10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, and the Lanyue lunar lander was very slow.

Only partial assembly production debugging can be carried out first, and after the new aerospace materials are successfully developed, the new materials can be used to truly complete the assembly of the new generation of spacecraft.

As for the outside world, both the aerospace field and the mathematics community seemed relatively calm.

The biggest news is that someone published another paper on the Riemann hypothesis.

There has also been no new progress at NASA, the overseas space agency.

The previous person in charge, Bolsons, publicly mentioned plans to restart the moon landing, but it seems that this has fallen into oblivion and there has been no new news at all.

This has caused many overseas users to be quite disappointed.

We can only place our hopes of landing on the moon on domestic manned lunar landing projects.

However, Musk's Space Exploration Technologies Corporation has begun to conduct frequent starship launch experiments.

Although there is still some distance to success, he has gained a lot of supportive fans around the world.

He said he was looking forward to the day when the starship would land on Mars.

Time is like a wild donkey, it never stops once it starts running.

In the blink of an eye, a few months passed, and Yanjing, which was originally exuding a slight chill, was soon replaced by high temperatures.

It makes people just want to stay in the air-conditioned room, holding a mobile phone and a watermelon, and enjoying the smooth wireless network.

Another graduation season.

For students from Qinghua University and Yenching University, at this time they have to run around looking for jobs, hoping to get good news as soon as possible, find a suitable and satisfying job, and allow themselves to smoothly complete the identity transition from school to society.

In other words, only those students who decide to pursue master's or doctoral degrees can feel a little more comfortable temporarily.

If we turn our attention to Yanda's new aerospace materials laboratory, we will find that there is good news here as well.

……

"There are three new types of materials being tested today. If we calculate the time, we should be able to get the report soon."

In the room, Zhang Jin was talking to Xu Yuan with a relaxed look on his face, and he was obviously optimistic about today's material testing. Xu Yuan listened to this and also remained relaxed.

I wasn't nervous about anything.

Yes.

During these four months, through everyone's continuous efforts, three new types of materials were finally screened out.

Apart from the two new niobium alloy materials, the rest are lightweight composite materials.

Today we mainly test them for high and low temperature resistance to check whether the materials can still ensure the stability of the structure.

In addition, there are many experiments such as corrosion resistance and radiation resistance to ensure that the best new materials are obtained.

Simply put, if the material performance in today's tests is excellent and can meet the needs of the new generation of space vehicles, then it can basically be said that the project can be completed.

You have to know that only a few months have passed since its establishment.

This efficiency is terrifying.

"I am confident in the materials this time. I will just have to wait patiently."

Through the changes in the progress bar on the panel, Xu Yuan can determine that among the three new types of materials today, there will definitely be a material that can meet the demand, so he seems very confident when saying this.

Even Zhang Jin seemed to be infected, and the expression on his face became more and more expectant.

The same situation also occurred with the other two professors in the room, and their emotions were visibly excited.

While waiting for the material test report to come out, I couldn't help but take the initiative to talk about these materials.

"Alloy materials can be used in rocket shells and return capsules, especially because of their high temperature resistance, which ensures the stability of the internal structure of the rocket and return capsule."

"I believe that the new niobium alloy material we synthesized this time will not disappoint us, at least in terms of high temperature resistance."

“Hopefully we can have a good result today.”

Whether a rocket is launched or a return capsule passes through the atmosphere, the temperatures generated are extremely terrifying.

If the material cannot ensure the stability of the structure and unknown changes occur in a high-temperature environment, it will be a major accident for the spacecraft.

It is normal for it to disintegrate and explode directly in the air.

That’s why we have very high requirements for materials.

In addition, the new aerospace materials they developed this time will be used not only in rocket engine return capsules, but also in the lunar lander. In the complex and changeable environment on the lunar surface, the new materials must not only withstand high temperatures but also adapt to low temperatures.

Only after passing the most rigorous tests can it be safely used in spacecraft.

There will never be materials that are attached to the thread.

In the following time, although Xu Yuan was not nervous, he did not join in the discussion.

Just sit in the chair and wait for the material test report to come out.

As time passed, everyone fell silent.

Say no more.

All attention is focused on new materials.

The three main materials today are the crystallization of their sweat over the past few months.

During the research and development process, the performance is the best.

There were still a lot of useless materials in the process, which were directly sent back for re-production.

In other words, if today's test does not go well, then these three new materials will not be able to escape the same fate, and they will then have no choice but to re-choose the direction of their research.

Although this is commonplace for them, their mentality will not be affected by the current defeat at all.

But whether I should say it or not, the time needs to be postponed.

As a result, the new generation of spacecraft cannot be completed, affecting the implementation of the manned lunar landing project.

Another five minutes passed.

In the face of everyone's eager anticipation, three professors suddenly walked in from outside, each holding a detailed report document in their hands.

Apparently it was the professor in charge of the materials testing.

That's right.

For new aerospace materials projects, even the materials testing is specifically handled by professors.

Ensure the accuracy of test results to the greatest extent possible.

At this time, Zhang Jin could no longer control his emotions. In his excitement, he couldn't wait to ask a question before the professors came over.

“How is the testing of the material going?”

"Say it."

Upon hearing this, several professors in charge of material testing just gave Zhang Jin a reassuring look.

He walked straight to Xu Yuan, then stopped and quickly handed over the report in his hand.

"Academician Xu."

"This is the test report of today's materials. Please take a look."

At this point, Xu Yuan would not delay any longer and immediately reached out to take all three reports.

The next second he lowered his eyes and fixed his gaze on the document.

And looking at the numbers one by one, the importance of the whole person can be said to be very strong.

There is no way around it, since materials are crucial to whether the new generation of spacecraft can make its debut.

And whether the manned lunar landing project is successful.

It even ensures the safety of the astronauts, so we can't be careless.

About three minutes later, Xu Yuan took his eyes off the document, his face filled with surprise and excitement.

Then he handed the document to Zhang Jin beside him and said to everyone with a smile:
"I think everyone can sleep well tonight, our new niobium alloy performs very well."

“It fully meets the needs of the new generation of spacecraft.”

Almost as soon as Xu Yuan finished speaking, the professors present burst into thunderous applause.

Celebrate this result happily.

"Great."

“We really succeeded.”

"It's incredible that in just four months, we have developed a new aerospace material."

"To be honest, I feel like I didn't contribute much."

Only Zhang Jin made a sound out of surprise after seeing the message above.

"It can maintain structural stability at temperatures of nearly 3,000 degrees Celsius, and its corrosion resistance is several times that of ordinary aerospace materials."

"The structure is surprisingly stable even in low-temperature environments."

"This is simply an excellent new material for making engines and aerospace vehicles."

Obviously, the actual performance of the new niobium alloy material they developed this time far exceeded expectations, which is why they expressed such strong emotions after seeing the actual data.

However, Zhang Jin's state did not last long, and he soon became disappointed with the reports on the other two new materials.

"Unfortunately, the remaining lightweight composite materials and alloy materials with added rare earths do not perform as well as niobium alloys, especially in terms of high temperature resistance, and I am afraid they will not be able to meet the requirements of the next generation of spacecraft."

For materials people, the abundance of excellent new materials will never be a problem.

On the contrary, the more alternative types there are, the better the combination will be, which will reduce costs and increase efficiency.

But from the current situation, among the three new materials, only the new niobium alloy meets the demand.

Although they successfully completed the project, the manufacturing of the next generation of spacecraft will have to rely on the new niobium alloy.

Fortunately, compared with the original aerospace materials, the cost of the new niobium alloy material is not high.

Xu Yuan saw Zhang Jin's performance, and suddenly a rather mysterious expression appeared on his face. Then, under Zhang Jin's puzzled gaze, he slowly spoke with a smile on his lips:

"Zhang Yuan."

"I think you should take another close look at this report. Maybe there will be some new surprises."

"Although we only got a good new aerospace material this time, the other alloy material with rare earth added is probably also a special material with very high value."

"High-value special materials?" Zhang Jin looked a little stunned.

Although he didn't quite understand what Xu Yuan meant for the time being, he knew that Xu Yuan would never speak without a purpose.

So there is only one situation.

There was something special about it, but he didn't notice it just now.

So in the following time, without any hesitation, he immediately calmed down and carefully looked at the result report documents in his hands.

Especially the alloy material made by adding rare earth mentioned by Xu Yuan.

soon.

He made a new discovery.

He exclaimed almost subconsciously: "In a temperature environment above absolute zero, the resistance of this material is zero. We have discovered a new high-temperature superconducting material." By the end of his speech, his hands holding the report were shaking.

Currently known to be the most common are low-temperature superconducting materials, that is, materials that superconduct under absolute zero conditions.

The superconductivity phenomenon in an environment above absolute zero is called high-temperature superconducting material.

You should know that superconducting materials have always been a hot topic for materials scientists, and are related to many major scientific and technological research. It is no exaggeration to say that they have extremely high research value.

Based on their current research findings, they can even publish a paper in Nature magazine.

Just now, his attention was focused on the high-temperature resistance of the material, and he did not notice that this new material actually exhibited superconductivity in a low-temperature environment.

Zhang Jin's words undoubtedly attracted the curiosity of others, and they all took the report and started to read it.

Then the whole person's expression was visibly excited.

"At a critical temperature of about 80K, the material's resistance disappears, which is indeed a superconducting phenomenon."

"This is really a pleasant surprise. I didn't expect to synthesize a new high-temperature superconducting material. Its subsequent research value may be higher than our new niobium alloy."

"It's incredible. I've never encountered anything like this before."

“If I hadn’t had the opportunity to participate in this project, I wouldn’t have seen anything like this.”

Xu Yuan listened to everyone's reactions and was quite surprised himself.

Unexpectedly, the research and development of new aerospace materials suddenly gave him such a surprise.

Originally, after the development of the new aerospace material was completed, their research team could have retired. However, now that they have suddenly discovered high-temperature superconducting materials, they will definitely have to continue their research.

If we can continue to increase the superconducting temperature of the material and make it a room-temperature superconducting material, it will bring about earth-shaking changes to the entire materials world.

Think this through.

Then Xu Yuan smiled and said, "It seems that we will be busy next. At least we need to conduct zero resistance and complete anti-magnetism tests on this material."

……

(End of this chapter)