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

Chapter 639 Trading Technology for Technology, You'll Make a killing

In his office at the research institute, Xu Qingzhou calmly sipped his tea, waiting for the other party to speak.

Compared to other EU countries, Germany is actually the country that needs superconducting thin film technology the most right now. Its stellarator W7-X is in a critical period of competition with the tokamak technology route, and Xu Qingzhou's technology can directly solve its two major pain points of insufficient magnetic field strength and high operating costs.

"It seems you already know the purpose of my visit. Well then, I'll get straight to the point: do you have any plans to sell the patent for GDirect superconducting thin films?"

Klinger stared at Xu Qingzhou and asked slowly.

Xu Qingzhou and his team developed a substrate-free NbSn film based on ALD and graphene substrates, officially named ALD-Nb3Sn-GDirect superconducting film.

ALD highlights the atomic layer deposition process, Nb3Sn is the main component identifier of the material, while GDirect is the substrate-free direct growth induced by graphene.

"Of course, that's one of the reasons we've all gathered here. However, the final outcome depends on whether ITER can give me something satisfactory."

Xu Qingzhou paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "As you know, my research institute is not a partner of ITER, which means that we have no obligation to provide ITER with superconducting thin films."

"In order to advance the process of controlled nuclear fusion and solve the energy crisis for mankind, I am happy to share the technology."

Klinger nodded and asked in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

“I like talking to smart people.”

Xu Qingzhou didn't beat around the bush and slowly said, "I can open up my superconducting thin film technology to you on your own, which is exactly what you urgently need. The condition is that you also have to give us plasma confinement optimization, diagnostics, and heating technology."

"Plasma confinement optimization and diagnostics with heating technology? Oh, Professor Xu, I must tell you, that's impossible."

Klinger shook his head; this was an outrageous demand.

Plasma confinement optimization and diagnostics, along with heating technology, are among the core technologies of stellarators, involving two fundamental elements: plasma time and magnetic field enhancement.

"That's a pity."

Xu Qingzhou picked up his teacup and said with a smile, "This is the premise for our cooperation."

Klinger fell silent.

Xu Qingzhou's conditions were sharp; they came prepared and had already determined their bottom line.

They favor a "patent licensing + joint R&D" model, which could involve collaborating to establish a joint testing platform for stellarators and superconducting thin films, and even exchanging non-core engineering data, such as stellarator cooling system designs.

Who would have thought that Xu Qingzhou would go so far as to directly demand their core patents?

Xu Qingzhou took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Forgive my bluntness, but the vitality of technology always lies in solving practical problems. Judging from the current actual data, your W7-X does not have the ability to be commercialized. I admit that it is a laboratory myth, but from another perspective, it is also a market graveyard."

"It would be foolish to cling to a technology that can't be improved. You know, the tokamak, a competitor of the stellarator, has different data every year."

“Once our technology is used, the plasma confinement time of the W7-X stellarator can be increased from the current 30 seconds to at least 300 seconds, and our superconducting thin film can operate in the liquid nitrogen temperature range (77K), reducing cooling energy consumption by 70%.”

"This data is only based on our speculation. Once you adjust the superconducting magnet according to the actual situation of W7-X, the two data above will definitely increase geometrically."

Xu Qingzhou spoke eloquently, clearly outlining the gains and losses.

The Xia state had its own stellarator experimental platform.

The Sichuan region has developed a quasi-ring symmetric stellarator test platform (CFQS-T), but it is currently only in the preliminary research stage and has not yet entered the experimental verification period. Compared with German stellarator technology, it is quite inferior.

If they can acquire plasma confinement optimization, diagnostics, and heating technologies, their future magnetic confinement fusion technology cycle could be shortened by at least 3-5 years.

"You are not at a disadvantage by exchanging technology for technology."

Xu Qingzhou wasn't in a hurry. He waited for Klinger to consider it slowly. He asked for two key technologies from the Max Planck Institute as soon as he asked. It was understandable that the other party found it hard to believe at first.

"But undeniably, there are still many uncertainties in the cost. We need to design magnets separately, and we cannot guarantee their effectiveness for the W7-X. In addition, large-scale production is also a problem," Klinger pointed out the existing issues.

Xu Qingzhou said, "Of course. It depends on your choices. As we all know from conducting experiments, no one can guarantee the outcome before seeing the actual data. I'm just recommending the optimal choice from the perspective of mathematical calculations and probability."

Klinger fell silent again.

The Max Planck Institute is very anxious. Although the stellarator has set many world records, progress has always been a pain point. They are watching other countries make great strides with their tokamak projects.
Today, he witnessed firsthand the performance of the GDirect superconducting thin film.

If it could be placed on a stellarator.
That radiation resistance, that radiation resistance, that suppression of plasma turbulence.
Klinger's eyes flashed, and he couldn't help but feel excited. The stellarator was sure to see a qualitative breakthrough, and the task of miniaturizing the stellarator could also be put on the agenda.

In fact, just as this young man said, they made a killing.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath.

They should calm down. This could be an opportunity for them, but as the Xia people say, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

They also had to bring out their own core patents, although these were just two of countless stellarator patents, they were still unique core technologies.

Xu Qingzhou waited quietly for Klinger to make a decision, or rather, to express his opinion. Such a big matter could not be decided by one person alone; Klinger would probably have to go back and discuss it.

GDirect superconducting thin-film technology is a groundbreaking project and is crucial for controlled nuclear fusion.

The office remained quiet for a long time.

"Professor Xu, I have one last question."

"Tell me everything you know."

“We are competitors with your Xia Kingdom. If you give us your technology, aren’t you worried about falling far behind us?”

"I look forward to that day, if you have the capability."

Xu Qingzhou smiled softly.

As a genius with both physics and mathematics as his core strengths, he is absolutely confident that he can catch up in a short period of time.

Klinger stared blankly at the composed young man opposite him, momentarily lost in thought. For a brief moment, he felt a sense of fear towards this 23-year-old.

It's hard to imagine how terrifying it would be if it were one's own competitor.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Regarding your proposal, I can't give you a specific answer right now. The technology of the W7-X stellarator isn't solely the domain of the Max Planck Institute. However, I will try my best to help you, as you said, it's a win-win situation."

"Looking forward to your good news."

(End of this chapter)