I am devoted to scientific research, but you want to trick me into having a love relationship?

Chapter 638 The First Exchange Meeting of the Research Institute
On January 18, the institute's tranquility was broken by the first wave of experts and scholars who came to exchange ideas.

At the entrance, Xu Qingzhou, along with several key personnel from the research institute, met the ITER experts in their vehicle.

The opposing team was led by Bernard Biggs, the current Director General of ITER.

In addition, there are magnetic confinement experts from Germany, the United States, and Japan, plasma physicists from France and Russia, as well as ITER materials engineers and the EU legal team.

Fifteen people.

Domestic experts from the Institute of Plasma Physics and the Xiahe Group also came.

"welcome."

Xu Qingzhou reached out and shook hands with Bernard Bige, the director-general who was leading the team.

“Professor Xu, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Bernard Bige said with a smile.

The two had a brief conversation at the Oxford World Physics Frontiers Conference. The old gentleman was a pragmatist who emphasized the practical applications of nuclear fusion technology.

To be honest, Xu Qingzhou admired Bernard Bigot quite a bit for his ability to navigate the complexities of international disputes with such ease.

Energy is a strategic high ground for the future, and countries will inevitably be extremely rigorous and cautious in protecting intellectual property rights and keeping technology secret. Therefore, it is difficult to reach a consensus on issues of technological integration and direction.

The dominant country wants the disadvantaged country to contribute money, but doesn't want to share too much technology. The disadvantaged country wants to contribute less money, but doesn't want to be constantly held hostage, and hopes to share more technology.

Another issue is the disagreement over technology selection. Different countries have different preferences for technology, as well as differences in manufacturing standards and management processes. For example, problems have arisen with cooling systems and incompatible vacuum container dimensions.

The complex management structure resulting from multinational cooperation makes project management extremely complicated.

Bernard Biggs' ability to ensure the orderly progress of ITER is remarkable.

Nevertheless, a significant number of people believe that ITER is at high risk of failing, as the conflicts of interest involved are quite complex. In contrast to ITER, various countries' own controlled nuclear fusion projects are thriving and have achieved numerous breakthroughs.

However, Xu Qingzhou remained optimistic. Although many countries were causing trouble for ITER and it might be delayed, it was unlikely to fail. Its physics was based on understanding from twenty years ago and was much more conservative than current devices. If even such a conservative machine could not achieve it, nuclear fusion in other countries would be doomed.

Among the visitors were quite a few of his acquaintances.

Omar Halikenny, chief scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (NIF).

Mas Klinger, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics.

"Professor Xu, I feel as if I am witnessing the rise of a world-class research institute."

"You flatter me."

"I never imagined that just one month after our last meeting, you would bring such a miracle to the world."

They exchanged pleasantries and headed towards the auditorium in the southeast corner of the research institute.

The exchange meeting will be kept simple.

Compared to usual, there are just a few more signs along the roadside.

There will be a simple ceremony in the auditorium at 9 a.m.

Ji Yunshi presided over the meeting, and Xu Qingzhou, as the main person in charge, gave a 3-minute welcome speech and introduced the projects currently being carried out by the institute. Then came ITER Director General Bernard Biggs and Professor Li Gang, a leading figure in the Chinese physics community and head of the Institute of Plasma Physics.

The institute operates with a rather unique management style, with few leadership speeches. It quickly moves to the academic stage, where Li Yi, as the institute's representative, explains the performance of superconducting thin films.

offstage.

Xiao Chenghan spoke to Li Gang in a low voice, "To be honest, the pure academic atmosphere of Professor Xu's institute is quite appealing. Sometimes it really feels like an exchange program abroad."

“Let’s not even think about it. The burden is too heavy, and it’s impossible to implement this management model.” Li Gang shook his head and said in a low voice, “However, there have been many changes in the academic community in Xia Country. With young people like Professor Xu becoming the main force, it will get better sooner or later.”

"Yes."

Xiao Chenghan nodded. "What are your thoughts on tomorrow's negotiations?"

"ITER will probably lower its stance. After all, if it continues to be delayed, countries will probably be even less willing to invest money."

The European nuclear fusion science community has invested tremendous effort in ITER, and Xu Qingzhou's superconducting thin film can be considered, to some extent, a lifeline for ITER.

"Hope everything goes well."

The afternoon session will include a technical report and a visit to the laboratory to see the samples.

The exchange visit lasted only one day, and from the second day onwards, technical negotiations took place, which were left to the professionals from Xia Country.

On the Xia Kingdom's side, representatives from Zero Point Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research Center attended the negotiations.

Xu Qingzhou wasn't in a hurry. Although he was quite interested in ITER's plasma confinement parameters and tritium breeding blanket experimental data, the most important thing in negotiations was to maintain stability.

The one who panics loses.

The progress of ITER has been criticized, frequently delaying the commercialization of experimental nuclear fusion. The CFETR project sets the start date for ITER at 2025.

However, given the current situation, the launch of the plan will have to be postponed for at least another 10 years.

However, compared to the engineering reactors built by multiple countries, some private companies have already claimed that they can commercialize experimental nuclear fusion by 2035.

Of course, we shouldn't pay too much attention to the nuclear fusion projects mentioned by commercial companies. Most of them are just preliminary plans, simply to attract investment, not to actually build a reactor.

Most methods use laser excitation combined with steam piston pressurization to generate heat from molten metal, which is essentially boiling water.

The research and development costs are low, after all, few private companies can afford to develop experimental devices such as superconducting tokamak and stellarator.

In any case, ITER will definitely be under a lot of pressure.

Things went even more smoothly than Xu Qingzhou had expected. On the evening of January 18th, before the negotiations for the next day had even begun, a guest arrived at his office.

"Professor Xu."

The visitor was a fat old man, Thomas Klinger, director of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics.

The two had met briefly at a lecture at Oxford University and chatted there.

“Mr. Klinger, please have a seat.” Xu Qingzhou took out some tea.

"Sweet and delicious, very tasty," Klinger exclaimed.

"Thank you."

"I've long heard that your research institute is unique, and seeing it today, I can confirm that it truly lives up to its reputation."

"You're too kind. The research institute hasn't been established for long, and no matter what, there's still a considerable gap between it and the world's top research institutions," Xu Qingzhou said modestly.

He paused for a moment, then said, "Mr. Klinger, you must have something to discuss with me tonight?"

Actually, he roughly understood the purpose of their visit. If we were to say who was most anxious right now, besides the ITER organization, it would definitely be Germany.

Tokamak has already achieved many impressive results, while stellarators, which are touted as another path, have been almost stagnant in recent years.

(End of this chapter)