Rebirth 08: Rise from copycat phones

Chapter 602 Controlled Nuclear Fusion: Starsea One

Xinghai Energy Technology Co., Ltd., jointly funded by Fairy Mountain Holdings and several nuclear industry-related enterprises, is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the field of controlled nuclear fusion.

Its core technology comes from Fairy Mountain Holdings and Zhiyun Group, while some secondary technologies come from related partner companies.

Back then, Professor Wang Binyao of Fairy Mountain Holdings developed a new type of silicon carbide material. This new material, internally codenamed NKO67, has excellent thermal shock resistance, capable of reaching megawatt-level heat loads per square meter. At the same time, it also has excellent radiation resistance, effectively resisting the radiation of high-energy neutrons.

These two properties combined make NKO67 a highly ideal first-line material for controlled nuclear fusion!
One of the main technical challenges of controlled nuclear fusion is the design and construction of the outer shell... and the most critical technical challenge is the material of the first wall.

Before the advent of NKO67, no material could withstand the intense heat load and neutron radiation of a controlled nuclear fusion reaction.

However, the emergence of NKO67 material has filled this technological gap, enabling humanity to truly design and build a shell for controlled nuclear fusion and collect the enormous energy of controlled nuclear fusion.

Besides the NKO67 material, the second major challenge in controlled nuclear fusion technology is plasma confinement. The underlying core algorithms for this technology are mainly provided by the AI ​​Research Institute of Zhiyun Group. Fairy Mountain Holdings uses the core algorithms to design and train large models to predict plasma instability, make early predictions, and intervene in advance to avoid plasma tearing.

This is to achieve long-term control of plasma stability and avoid interruption of the nuclear fusion reaction.

After acquiring these two core technologies, Professor Wang Binyao of Fairy Mountain Holdings finally conceived the idea of ​​developing controlled nuclear fusion... Having these two core technologies, it would be a waste not to pursue controlled nuclear fusion.

Then more research institutes and companies joined in, which eventually led to the birth of Xinghai Energy Technology!
Therefore, Xinghai Energy Technology Co., Ltd. does not start from scratch to develop controlled nuclear fusion. Instead, it makes a comprehensive design based on the NKO67 material technology of Fairy Mountain Holdings, the artificial intelligence plasma prediction and control algorithm of Zhiyun Group, the high temperature ignition of other companies, and many other existing advanced technologies.

It's somewhat similar to how Gulf Technologies develops core, top-tier equipment like lithography machines and quantum alignment machines... They don't manufacture key subsystems or components themselves, but rather provide system integration solutions.

Even so, it is extremely difficult!

When Xu Shenxue secretly visited Xinghai Energy, he didn't see any actual prototype, only a very preliminary model!

Professor Wang Binyao, chief scientist of Fairy Mountain Holdings and chief designer of the controlled nuclear fusion project, was showing Xu Shenxue the current research and development progress while holding up this large toy-like model.

"Since the project started, we have completed the initial design plan and have now begun the research and development of each subsystem."

"The current initial design is Xinghai-1, designed for technology verification. It is a typical technology demonstrator. According to our design, the entire system consists of thirteen core subsystems, namely the core nuclear fusion reaction center module, the magnetic confinement module, the magnetic field power generation module, and other auxiliary subsystems..."

"Because it is a technology demonstrator model, many of the designs are relatively conservative. At the same time, in order to control costs and reduce technical difficulty, the machine body is also relatively small, and the power generation capacity of a single unit is only one million watt-hours!"

"However, even with a conservative design, its power generation capacity is equivalent to that of the largest hydroelectric generator set."

"Moreover, our Xinghai-1 uses magnetic confinement power generation technology instead of thermal power generation technology (boiling water). It uses magnetic confinement to confine ultra-high temperature plasma, preventing it from directly contacting the container wall, and uses electromagnetic induction devices generated by changes in the magnetic field to generate electricity!"

"Thus, our controlled nuclear fusion unit has a huge advantage in size and weight compared to traditional controlled nuclear fission units, laying the foundation for the future application of controlled nuclear fusion in more fields, such as interstellar spacecraft and extraterrestrial bases!"

"However, we also have the backup Xinghai-2 plan, which uses thermal power generation. This plan has completed the technical demonstration phase and has now entered the engineering research and development phase. However, we believe that this plan has relatively large uncertainties. The technical research and development of this plan is mainly to lay the foundation for the future Xinghai-3 plan."

"In addition to Xinghai-1 and Xinghai-2, we also have a dual power generation technology solution that combines magnetic field power generation and thermal power generation, namely the Xinghai-3 solution."

"Because it utilizes both the thermal energy and magnetic field energy of high-temperature plasma, its fuel utilization rate will be very high. Although the technical solution is relatively complex, we believe it is a more ideal power generation solution for the future. Therefore, we will mainly promote this technical solution for use in future large-scale ground-mounted power plants!"
"Currently, in order to control technological risks, our main focus is on the magnetic field power generation technology route of Xinghai-1. After all, this technology is relatively mature and also brings features such as small size, light weight, high safety, and low cost!"

Traditional nuclear power plants are extremely complex and large, mainly because nuclear fission is too dangerous and requires continuous cooling. The heat generated also carries radiation, and the coolant cannot be used directly because it still emits radiation after cooling. Therefore, additional heat conversion is required. The entire system is very complex and large, with high construction and operating costs!

The Starsea-1 that Xu Shenxue saw was the opposite... extremely small in size, but extremely powerful. Xu Shenxue could already imagine this thing being installed on an interstellar spaceship, providing it with enormous energy.

Wang Binyao continued, "Although the initial research and development costs of our Xinghai-1 are very high, once the research and development is successful, the subsequent construction and operation costs will be reduced to a relatively low level, at least much cheaper than current nuclear power plants!"

Xu Shenxue asked, "How is the current technological research and development progressing? When can we expect to build a prototype?"

Xu Shenxue wasn't satisfied with just a model... He wanted a real prototype, the kind that could be turned on and generate electricity!

Wang Binyao said, "In terms of technological advancement, we have completed the design of the overall technical solution, and the thirteen core subsystems are also progressing steadily. Among them, the outer wall design of the nuclear fusion generation center system, which is mainly under the responsibility of Fairy Mountain Holdings, has been completed, and we have also tried to build three experimental outer wall samples for experiments!"

"Regarding magnetic confinement predictive control, we have completed two iterations of the algorithm model, and we are not far from our goal. Currently, the algorithm model is still being continuously optimized and trained. We have called upon a quantum computing center to assist in the training, and we expect to complete the third iteration of the algorithm model next year. At that time, we expect to be able to initially meet the requirements for magnetic field prediction and confinement of the prototype!"

"The power generation module subsystem is provided by our partner company, and progress is going smoothly so far!"

"The remaining nine auxiliary modules are progressing at different paces. Some have completed the preliminary design, while others still need to overcome technical challenges. However, overall, there are not many problems. Although the technical difficulty is high, it is still within the capacity of our industrial system!"

"Within two to three years, we expect to complete the research and development and even manufacturing of the thirteen core modules of the prototype, and finally, manufacture the first prototype!"

At this point, Wang Binyao took a deep breath and said, "After all, this time, in addition to our Zhiyun Group and Fairy Mountain Holdings, we have also mobilized more than 1,500 companies or research institutes to directly participate in this project!"

"This project has mobilized more resources, more personnel, and covered a wider and deeper area than the previous EUV lithography machine project. At least 150,000 technical personnel of various types across the country have directly or indirectly participated in the research and development of this project!"

Xu Shenxue was well aware that this matter was only settled after he spearheaded the effort; otherwise, it would have been impossible to mobilize so many enterprises and research institutes to participate in this project.

In reality, most of the participating companies or research institutions, even their leaders and technical staff, do not know what project they are involved in... The entire controlled nuclear fusion project is still in a highly confidential stage.

However, this does not diminish their enormous contribution to the entire Xinghai-1 project... It's just a component; you don't need to know the whole picture of the project to get it done.

Professor Wang Binyao exclaimed with emotion, "This is a project that requires the full support of the nation. As long as there are no major flaws in the technical approach, it shouldn't be a problem to build the first prototype within three years!"

"I personally formulated the technical route, and I personally developed the core NKO67 material. Professor Lin Andong personally designed the underlying algorithm for the plasma confinement algorithm, and I co-designed the model framework!"

"Some core subsystems or components were developed by our core technology teams at Fairy Mountain and Zhiyun. The most crucial one, the nuclear fusion generation center system, was developed by Fang Datong and his team." Professor Wang Binyao chuckled, "Although Fang Datong is a bit rigid in his thinking, with the materials and theoretical framework I gave him, he can handle simple system design without much trouble. After all, this kind of thing doesn't require too much brainpower!"

"I can't say the whole project will be foolproof, but we should be able to produce some technological achievements within three years!"

Xu Shenxue nodded slightly after hearing this... He only had three SS-level research quota users under his command, and all three of them were involved in the project to varying degrees, undertaking the most core and difficult technical research and development.

However, Xu Shenxue disagreed with Wang Binyao's assessment of Khalil Fong, saying that Fong was brainless.

Fang Datong is a core scientist in the field of EUV lithography machines. He was previously in charge of the research and development of the objective lens system of EUV lithography machines. Now he has been transferred to Gulf Technology, where he is fully responsible for the research and development of EUV projects and several core equipment such as quantum alignment machines. He is the chief scientist of Gulf Technology.

In the fields of optics and precision machinery, he is undoubtedly the number one person right now... the number one in the world!
However, his research field is more application-oriented, focusing on various equipment and lacking theoretical research.

Well, there weren't any major theoretical research achievements!
Then Wang Binyao looked down on him, feeling that the other party did not deserve to receive the same W15 level treatment as him.

However, Xu Shenxue just listened without offering any rebuttal... There's also a hierarchy of disdain within the scientific research community.
There's a joke that goes like this: A mathematician met an amateur scientist. After hearing the scientist's introduction, the mathematician smiled and said, "What you're doing falls under the scope of theoretical physics research—I'm not an expert in this area, but Academician Landau downstairs is very interested in it. He's the person you should be looking for."

They kept looking down on him, but Xu Shenxue didn't bother to get involved... After all, he was a liberal arts major, and he wasn't on the same wavelength as these science and engineering guys; he couldn't understand their thought processes!

He was more concerned about the fact that a prototype could be built in three years!
"Three years to develop a prototype is quite a tight schedule. You'll probably have to work overtime!" Xu Shenxue said with a smile while looking at the model in front of him. "If you have any questions about funding, personnel, or anything else, feel free to bring them up anytime. I'll do my best to solve them!"

Wang Binyao said, "There are no major problems with funding and personnel. After all, the Xinghai No. 1 project mainly focuses on solving some core technical problems. This kind of thing does not depend much on the amount of funding or personnel. Most of the core technical problems are handled by a few of us, while others just provide some auxiliary work."

"In terms of funding, there isn't a big problem right now. Our main expenditure is still on various experiments, and some funds are used to support personnel salaries and benefits. The previous budget of 100 billion hasn't been used up yet, and another 50 billion has been allocated. I estimate that we should be able to support ourselves!"

"The other issues are all minor and fragmented, and they are also resolved through collaboration among various departments!"

This controlled nuclear fusion project has received tremendous support from all sides. The initial funding was 100 billion yuan, and an additional 50 billion yuan was added last December, bringing the total funding to 150 billion yuan, which is quite sufficient.

After all, this is not about building a large-scale commercial controlled nuclear fusion power plant, but just an experimental prototype. The main funding is not for construction, but for research and development!
For a project, the initial R&D expenses alone reached 150 billion yuan, which is no small amount.

This enormous sum of money, when allocated to various sub-projects, is enough to provide ample R&D funding for numerous enterprises and research institutes to conduct various technological research and experiments.

Xu Shenxue then said, "Yes, if you have any questions, just let me know. This Xinghai No. 1 is related to the future, so we must pay close attention to it and not be careless!"

Xu Shenxue was also hoping that once he developed controlled nuclear fusion, he could completely solve the problem of power shortage for computing power at Zhiyun Group... The more artificial intelligence develops, the greater the demand for electricity will be.

We're already generating hundreds of billions of kilowatt-hours now, so what will it be in the future, trillions of kilowatt-hours? And current power generation technology can't keep up with the future demand for computing power.

At the same time, it is hoped that once controlled nuclear fusion technology matures, it can be used in fields such as interstellar spacecraft and alien bases.

To solve the energy supply problem for interstellar travel and the development of numerous resources within the solar system.

Even without considering applications in these cutting-edge technological fields, once controlled nuclear fusion technology is commercialized on a large scale, the abundant and inexpensive power supply can effectively support the operation of the industrial system and the huge consumption of civilian electricity.

Electricity is the most fundamental energy source in modern society, without exception!

People's lives and industrial production all depend on electricity.

Without electricity, nothing can be done...

There are many reasons why many developing countries cannot compete with China in terms of industrial system, but electricity supply is undoubtedly one of the most important factors.

Without a sufficient and stable power supply, industry cannot be carried out!
Putting aside everything else, the electricity consumption of semiconductor factories alone is enormous. Zhuyun Microelectronics, just this one semiconductor manufacturing company, consumes tens of billions of kilowatt-hours of electricity every year.

At the headquarters of Zhiyun Microelectronics, which is also located in Tongcheng, the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing city, Zhiyun Microelectronics' local production base accounts for 65% of Tongcheng's electricity consumption... This shows how staggering the electricity consumption of semiconductor factories is.

Vietnam, which has developed rapidly in the last two years and is considered by many to be able to replace part of China's supply chain, has a power generation capacity of only over 200 billion kilowatt-hours.

With such limited power generation, let alone talk about large-scale industrialization... let alone artificial intelligence.

Putting aside everything else, the power consumption of the AI ​​computing center under the Zhiyun Group alone is more than this!

If Zhiyun Microelectronics, a subsidiary of Zhiyun Group, were to relocate to Vietnam intact, Vietnam would have to divert at least a quarter of its electricity to supply Zhiyun Microelectronics. With such a significant power drain, the other factories in Vietnam would be unable to operate.

If factory production is to be maintained, then most Vietnamese people will have to go back to the era of kerosene lamps!

And such a country has already ranked among the top 20 in the world in terms of power generation!
Therefore... industry is not something that every country can develop. Putting aside capital, technology, and talent, the power supply alone can stifle the industrialization ambitions of most countries.

Developing an industrial system is not something every country can do.

Xu Shenxue himself is also quite obsessed with power supply points... purely because he was disgusted by the long-term power supply restrictions when he was building the computing center... Even the powerful domestic power generation and transmission capabilities are difficult to guarantee the huge power demand of a behemoth like Zhiyun Group.

In the future, if controlled nuclear fusion technology matures and becomes commercially viable, Xu Shenxue will be able to build a whole bunch of computing centers... As long as there's electricity, he can build them at will!
Unfortunately, it's not possible right now!

Therefore, when Xu Shenxue is working on artificial intelligence technology, he still focuses on the cost-effectiveness of computing power, and is working on new technologies such as quantum computing and neuromorphic computing, striving to obtain more computing power resources under limited power supply.

(End of this chapter)