1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 565: Visiting the Radium Institute! Chinese elites! Speech begins! The three great beasts of physics!
Radium Institute, Paris, France.

This ordinary two-story building located on the banks of the Seine is one of the centers of radioactive research in the world today.

The institute has the strongest radiation sources in the world, such as radium and thorium.

Before particle accelerators were developed, natural radioactive elements were the only means of studying nuclear physics.

Various bombardment experiments can only be carried out by relying on the rays emitted by these natural radioactive elements.

Therefore, the research institute with the most radioactive elements has the strongest strength.

As the discoverer of radium, Madame Curie's status in radiology was unparalleled, and she even often received gifts from the government and individuals.

Therefore, for many young people who are interested in radiological research, their first choice is the Radium Institute.

However, the situation changed when the accelerator came into being.

Whoever has the biggest accelerator has the most powerful strength.
November 7, morning.

When Li Qiwei arrived in Paris, his first stop was to visit Madame Curie.

His arrival made the Radium Institute very lively.

As the director of the institute, Madame Curie, accompanied by Irène Joliot and a group of other researchers and students, greeted guests at the door.

Flowers in bloom, laughter and joy!
Madame Curie, who is 57 years old this year, has a slightly pale face and her silver hair is tied in a bun behind her head.

She wore a pair of reading glasses, and her brown eyes sparkled with wisdom.

When she saw Li Qiwei, she seemed extremely happy and excited, and her face gradually turned red.

"Bruce, welcome."

When Li Qiwei saw Madame Curie's white hair, he couldn't help but feel emotional.

The beautiful woman with graceful manners more than 20 years ago is now entering old age.

However, he did not see any sadness or loss on Madame Curie's face. Instead, she was full of enthusiasm like a young person.

Li Qiwei smiled slightly, as if basking in the spring breeze.

He stretched out his hand and said gentlemanly:

"Good morning, Marie Curie!"

Madame Curie also stretched out her right hand, and the two smiled at each other.

Irena on the side excitedly said:

"Professor, you're finally here!"

"hey-hey."

She looked dazzling in her white work clothes and golden hair.

Li Qiwei touched her head and said jokingly:

"I'm here to check your work."

“Have you slacked off after graduating with your PhD?”

"Why haven't I seen you publish a paper recently?"

Irena immediately wilted, she said coquettishly:

"How is that possible?"

“I’m always trying to experiment.”

Li Qiwei smiled and said:
"I know your character well."

"You need your mother to teach you strictly."

Everyone smiled.

At this time, Ridgway introduced Marie Curie:

"These are my two sons, Li Chengdao and Li Chengde."

Madame Curie was immediately surprised.

"Oh! Bruce! They both look so much like you."

Li Chengdao and his brother stepped forward and said respectfully:

"Ma'am, it is such an honor to meet you."

Madame Curie looked at the two handsome young men and smiled happily.

Suddenly, a strange idea came into her mind.

"Eve, maybe"

Surrounded by everyone, Madame Curie brought Ridgeway and others into the institute.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Radium Institute.

Madame Curie took this opportunity to hold a small welcome and celebration party in the institute.

In the room, Li Qiwei and Madame Curie sat opposite each other, and people were scattered around, making it very lively.

Today, there are more than thirty young scholars in the Radium Institute.

They come from various countries including France, Germany, Poland, India, China, etc.

These young people of different nationalities and languages ​​live a fulfilling and romantic research life in this two-story building.

The two chatted about the development and construction of the institute.

Madame Curie still maintained her scientific research sensitivity and believed that the development of accelerators had a significant impact on nuclear physics.

"Once again the Cavendish Laboratory is at the forefront of radiology."

"The advent of accelerators has allowed experimental physicists to break free from the constraints of materials."

Li Qiwei said:
"Yes, that's my opinion too."

"There will definitely be an explosion of nuclear physics research next."

When everyone heard this, their eyes lit up and their breathing quickened.

Doesn’t that mean their spring is coming?

In real history, Irena would soon take over the banner from her mother and make the institute one of the holy places of nuclear physics.

Then, the two talked about the topic of talent cultivation.

At this time, Marie Curie smiled and said:

"Bruce, let me introduce you to someone who will surely interest you."

She said to a young man in the crowd:

"Zheng, please come over here."

Suddenly, a boy with a slightly broad face, wearing glasses and looking very honest came over.

He couldn't control the excitement on his face.

Madame Curie smiled and said:

"Bruce, Zheng is the only Chinese international student in the institute."

"At the same time, he is also the first Chinese student I recruited."

"He's smart and hardworking, just like you."

After hearing this, Li Qiwei's smile widened.

He looked towards the young man and said speculatively in Chinese:
"Your name is Zheng Dazhang, right?"

Wow!
Zheng Dazhang's face was suddenly filled with disbelief!

Professor Li actually knew his own name?

How can this be?

Although he was highly regarded by Marie Curie, he was not that famous.

Li Qiwei saw his confusion and said with a smile:

"Before I came, my secretary sorted out the information of Chinese students in Paris."

"I was impressed by a few of them, you're one of them."

Zheng Dazhang was immediately flattered.

At the same time, a warm feeling surged in his heart.

Professor Li is very busy, but he still pays so much attention to these international students.

Many Chinese students in Paris like to work and study. (Ahem, I can’t go into details about the work-study group in France at this time)

Most of the jobs were obtained through Professor Li’s company and connections.

This allows students to have dignity and learn knowledge with peace of mind.

Therefore, everyone is extremely grateful to Professor Li.

Zheng Dazhang also said sincerely in Chinese:
"Professor Li, thank you for your help to our group of Chinese international students."

Li Qiwei nodded. In real history, Zheng Dazhang was not only Marie Curie's first Chinese student, but also the only Chinese student to whom she personally awarded a doctorate in radiochemistry.

(A few years later, Marie Curie also trained the only Ph.D. in physics in China: Shi Shiyuan. One of his undergraduate students was Wu Jianxiong.)
Therefore, he was highly appreciated and respected by Madame Curie.

Madame Curie taught him how to do experiments, write papers, and applied for scholarships for him.

Zheng Dazhang lived up to expectations and published several important papers during his doctoral studies. He passed the doctoral defense with the highest honors.

At that time, Madame Curie really wanted Zheng Dazhang to stay and work in the institute.

However, Zheng Dazhang declined Madame Curie's kindness and resolutely embarked on the journey back home to serve his country!
As soon as he returned to China, he took over the work of the domestic Radium Institute, opened up the field of radiochemistry research in China, and trained many talents.

In addition, he also used the knowledge he learned to invent the "water method of prospecting" to find uranium mines for the country.

The so-called water method of prospecting is what Zheng Dazhang discovered when he was researching data. He found that hot springs near some large uranium mines usually contain a lot of radon elements.

To this end, he specially collected famous hot spring water from all over the country and measured the radon content therein, so as to increase the probability of finding real uranium mines.

During this period, Zheng Dazhang was monitored and placed under house arrest by the Sakura Country, and was even instigated to become the Minister of Education of the puppet government.

But Zheng Dazhang refused to comply and would rather die than cooperate.

Therefore, Li Qiwei looked at Zheng Dazhang differently at this moment.

This is a scientist with backbone and responsibility!
Moreover, the other party's ability to find uranium mines is so important that it needs to be well protected.

Many students around looked at Zheng Dazhang with envy.

"He is so highly regarded by Professor Bruce, his future is limitless."

"I guess he'll be able to become a real physicist soon."

Zheng Dazhang felt very proud when he heard these whispers. At the same time, he secretly urged himself not to let Professor Li down.

The two chatted about work and life for a while, and then Zheng Dazhang left.

Anyway, Professor Li will stay in Paris for a few days, so he has plenty of time to listen to the teachings.

The welcome party lasted for three full hours and ended with the audience's lingering applause.

Li Qiwei encouraged the young people in the institute:

“This is the best era for scientists!”

“The future is promising!”
-
7 month 22 day.

Ridgway arrived at the University of Paris on time.

Physics giants such as Lang Zhiwan and de Broglie have been waiting for a long time.

Behind them are the contestants participating in the Physics Olympiad.

The third Physics Olympiad was held at the University of Paris.

Therefore, all the Olympiad contestants live around the school, making it very convenient for them to come and go.

After listening to the speech this year, the competition will officially start the day after tomorrow.

Everyone seemed very excited.

If you can listen to Professor Bruce’s lecture before the competition, you may suddenly have a burst of inspiration when solving the questions.

Lang Zhiwan knew that Li Qiwei had first gone to the Radium Institute.

However, he did not mention this matter, nor did he ask her how she was.

More than ten years is enough to dilute any emotions.

"Professor Bruce, thank you so much for coming!"

Li Qiwei smiled and said:
"I'm not here for you, Lang Zhiwan. I'm here for the guys behind you."

Everyone smiled knowingly.

De Broglie stepped forward and said:

"Professor Bruce, your speech in Germany was so moving."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Whether it is quantum vacuum fluctuations, the Bruce equation, or the antimatter predicted by it, all of them are challenging the limits of physics.

Soon, after some business exaggeration, Li Qiwei, surrounded by the crowd, went to the venue of the speech.

Today's speech is mainly prepared for the contestants participating in the Olympiad.

Therefore, the venue was not large, with more than a hundred teachers and students in total.

In order to deepen communication, everyone found a seat at random and did not sit together according to country.

Somewhere in the middle, Wang Dezhao looked at the person next to him and said with a smile:

"Hello, my name is Wang Dezhao, and I'm from China."

"I don't think I've seen you before."

The young man responded:

"Hello, my name is Oppenheimer."

"When our American delegation arrived, we encountered a rare storm in the Atlantic Ocean, so we were a little late."

Wang Dezhao nodded, feeling very emotional.

The attraction of the Physics Olympiad is indeed too great.

Many people even risked their lives to participate.

He himself also traveled across the ocean from Asia to Europe, thousands of miles away.

However, Wang Dezhao felt that he was luckier than Oppenheimer.

Professor Li's influence ensured that the Chinese delegation received the best treatment.

This would have been unimaginable a dozen years ago.

Wang Dezhao still remembers the scene when Professor Bruce held his hand and asked him about his well-being.

"Professor Li cares about us so much."

In real history, Wang Dezhao was a famous hydroacoustician in China.

In the early days, Wang Dezhao's research fields were very diverse, and all tended towards the industrial field.

For example, he used beta rays to control the thickness of paper production and pharmaceutical mold production.

He also designed an ultra-sensitive electrometer and an ultra-microbalance for the French Atomic Energy Agency for use in the development of the atomic bomb.

Later, at the need of the motherland, he resolutely shouldered the heavy responsibility of national defense hydroacoustics and established the underwater Great Wall - anti-submarine early warning system.

In addition, Wang Dezhao's younger brother, Wang Dexi, is a famous nuclear industry chemical expert in China and one of the founders of China's nuclear chemical industry.

His elder brother, Wang Deyao, is a famous cell biologist in China.

The three brothers were all patriotic young men at the time. For the sake of their motherland, they traveled across the ocean to learn scientific knowledge and then returned to build their country.

When Li Qiwei was talking to Wang Dezhao about Wang Deyao, it suddenly occurred to him that, judging by the time, the famous penicillin would soon appear.

However, in this life, this thing that can be called "the ultimate miracle medicine" must be in the hands of China!

"It seems that we need to train a group of biologists in advance."

Oppenheimer looked a little aloof and didn't talk much.

After chatting with Wang Dezhao for a few words, he sat quietly, waiting for the speech to begin.

Wang Dezhao didn't take it seriously, he just thought this guy was a little mysterious.

Soon, his eyes, like everyone else's, were focused on the podium.

That figure is what everyone is most concerned about.

Li Qiwei looked at the expectant expressions of the people below the stage and smiled slightly.

“This is the third Physics Olympiad.”

"Mathematical Olympiads, Chemistry Olympiads, Biology Olympiads and other subjects are also being held one after another."

"You have gone through professional and boring training to achieve good results. It was very hard."

"So, I'm going to talk about something interesting today to relax your minds."

"I hope you understand that physics is not a collection of rote symbols in a book, but the fruit of human imagination."

"In some cases, it is more important to dare to think than to do it!"

"My previous speech in Germany was praised as full of wild imagination."

"But before me, there were people who came up with equally brilliant conjectures."

"There are even some conjectures that we still cannot solve to this day."

“I want to tell you about the stories of the three great beasts of physics.”

Wow!
Everyone was shocked!

Three sacred beasts?

(End of this chapter)