In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 421 Is Xie Wei not going to live anymore? 8 million invested in laser and nanotechnology

"It's done? That's good."

After hearing Liu Debao's explanation, Xie Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "How much did they give you?"

His original plan was that if he could not get support from the military, he would allocate a portion of the funds to the military, of course, this portion of the funds would be used for basic projects.

In any case, the funds are all allocated to their projects that are currently constrained by basic infrastructure, so it doesn't matter who gets the funding.

"It didn't cost any money. Director Li would be too embarrassed to ask for more!"

Xie Wei was stunned.

That old guy Li Rui has actually stopped trying to steal funding from Harbin Institute of Technology. Has the sun risen in the west?

Seeing Xie Wei's confusion, Liu Debao immediately told Xie Wei in detail about going to find Long Yaohua and meeting Li Rui at Long Yaohua's place.

"I ran into Wu Lijun before I went there; that bastard must have gone to complain..."

"It's alright, he knows what's important. So, it seems the military supports all of our projects!"

Xie Wei finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Can we really do without it? The chip manufacturing process at 771 is even inferior to that of Huafeng. Moreover, chips are not just processors, but also storage, etc., which also affects military projects. Not to mention the control system of Project 10, the various systems of the Type 051 modified and the Type 052 which is about to start construction have very high requirements for computers!"

Liu Debao was somewhat surprised by Xie Wei's reaction. "I've noticed something's off about you this time! Why are you so insecure? Is it because you're married and about to have a child, so you're starting to become hesitant and timid?"

This was the first time Liu Debao had seen Xie Wei in such an uncertain situation.

"Ugh!"

Xie Wei sighed, not responding to Liu Debao's joke. He took out a cigarette, offered one to Liu Debao, lit it, took a deep drag, exhaled a puff of smoke, and then said, "This is different from before. Basic projects require more funding, and the results aren't so obvious. Many organizations would rather bring in..."

Basic infrastructure projects are generally something that organizations are unwilling to undertake—they require a lot of time and money, and the results are not significant. Capable organizations are unwilling to do them, while those that want to lack the capacity, requiring government funding to start from scratch…

If it weren't for the national mandate, many organizations would have preferred to import technology from abroad.

The most typical example is the head of a computer company who gave up on the path of independent research and development from the very beginning. He simply set up an assembly plant with almost no original technology, and most of the profits were taken by core component suppliers.

"This should be a matter for the country!"

After listening, Liu Debao also sighed deeply.

"If we're not in a hurry, we can wait."

Xie Wei grinned.

The question is, can we afford to wait?

The current lack of basic infrastructure is affecting many projects, especially chips, which simply cannot afford to wait.

"We can't afford to wait!"

Liu Debao shook his head with a bitter face.

Can Xie Wei really afford to wait any longer?

"Do~Do~Do~"

Just then, there was a knock on Xie Wei's office door.

Upon seeing the person at the door, Xie Wei felt an urge to run away.

But this is in the office, there's nowhere to escape.

Liu Debao turned his head and saw the person who came in. His lips twitched slightly, and he also had the urge to run away.

"President Huang, President Ni, what brings you here?"

Xie Wei could only smile and get up. "Please sit down, Secretary Liu. Don't just stand there. Quickly make some tea for me."

No one was surprised that Xie Wei, a deputy director of the school-enterprise cooperation office, treated the school secretary as a subordinate.

"Director Xie, when will Factory 14 be able to complete the tape-out of the HZ-256? When will mass production of the HZ-125 begin? The Loongson-1 design is nearing completion..."

Mr. Huang, who is over fifty years old, has his hair neatly combed.

Even when questioning Xie Wei, her voice was very soft.

"Director Xie, you were the one who told us to do our best to develop the most advanced chips. If the previous designs can't be tested, the subsequent designs can't move forward."

Ni Guangnan looked melancholy.

If Xie Wei hadn't brought him to Harbin Institute of Technology, where he could conduct research and development while mentoring students, he would still be working on the Chinese character card right now.

Harbin Institute of Technology designed its own operating system from the very beginning, based on Chinese. This way, it would not need to use additional Chinese character cards to translate the system, unlike computers imported from abroad.

Upon arriving at the school, Ni Guangnan was initially in the same team as Mr. Huang, but Xie Wei later realized that it was a waste of top talent.

Therefore, Ni Guangnan was put in charge of Harbin Institute of Technology's own microcomputer design and development work.

The PanShi 1.0 microcomputer is the project led by Mr. Ni.

result……

"Gentlemen, please have some tea."

Liu Debao handed the two cups of tea he had brewed to the two men, sat down to one side, and seeing Xie Wei's wry smile, explained on his behalf: "Currently, the chip manufacturing process is stuck, and we are trying to find a solution, but this requires going from the very source of silicon wafer purification and crystallization to photolithography, and then to ion implantation... and the photolithography machine involves optoelectronic technology, etc..."

Mr. Huang looked at Liu Debao, which made Secretary Liu unable to continue speaking.

"Cough cough~"

Xie Wei feigned a cough to draw their attention to himself. "Gentlemen, Secretary Liu just returned from the capital and communicated with the 863 Joint Office. The lithography machine is also a key project of the 863 Program..."

"Director Xie, please refrain from using such official language. If the PanShi 1.0 microcomputer isn't launched soon, its market share will further decrease... Currently, we're only shipping less than 30 units a year, and that's all thanks to connections..."

Mr. Ni interrupted Xie Wei's explanation.

What happened to the 863 key projects?

How much funding can the government invest in these projects?
The key issue is that schools are currently reducing their research funding in related fields significantly.

"The JK-3 model from the Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences, only has a precision of 1 micrometer. The distributed projection lithography machine from Tsinghua University also currently has a precision of only 1 micrometer. Not to mention the university's machine, which currently only has a precision of 2 micrometers and can only be used in the laboratory... In recent years, due to factors such as college entrance examination candidates and funding, we have been cooperating with these two institutions..."

Xie Wei sighed again.

He had the idea of ​​collaborating a few years ago.

However, the question of who should take the lead has become a problem.

No one wanted to be led by other units, and Xie Wei was even less willing to let other units take the lead—he proposed using extreme ultraviolet light sources as the light source for the lithography machine.

Globally, even deep ultraviolet (DUV) research is not very extensive; the mainstream light source is still ultraviolet (UV). It is only because Xie Wei is the unsung hero at Harbin Institute of Technology that no one questions him.

The Institute of Semiconductors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University, among others, completely ignore Xie Wei—their current research results cannot compare with the most cutting-edge international research, and if they give up, all their previous research will be wasted. Furthermore, the extreme ultraviolet light source proposed by Xie Wei currently has almost no foundation—it involves using an excimer laser to illuminate a tin droplet generator, exciting a 13.5-nanometer light source to serve as the light source for a lithography machine.

laser!
nanometer!

Both of these are absolutely cutting-edge technologies worldwide!

Not only do we need more advanced detection systems, but we also need more precise control systems.

"Director Xie, how about we give up on the extreme ultraviolet light source for now?"

Mr. Huang, who had been silent all along, looked into Xie Wei's eyes and spoke softly.

"Research on extreme ultraviolet light sources cannot be abandoned! Even if all other projects at the university are stopped, we cannot give up!"

Xie Wei shook his head.

His face was full of determination.

Giving up is impossible; I could never give up in my entire life.

Both lasers and nanotechnology represent the future.

"Given the current situation, there will be no results within ten years. The amount of money spent on this is simply too much..."

Mr. Huang sighed, looking at Xie Wei's determined face with a somewhat complicated expression.

She couldn't understand why Xie Wei, who she always thought was calm and composed, would be so "ambitious" about the lithography machine, which is the most critical and complex part of the semiconductor chip manufacturing process.

Those who focus on the fundamentals should first address the lack of technology and accumulate skills before attempting to reach the highest levels of expertise.

Xie Wei skipped the earlier stages of accumulating skills and experience.

Liu Debao and Ni Guangnan both turned their gazes to Xie Wei, hoping that Mr. Huang's advice would be effective. Liu Debao and the others had advised Xie Wei on this matter countless times.

Useless!

"Let's not discuss this further. Director Li Rui will take the lead, integrating the resources of Huaqing, the Institute of Semiconductors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other institutions, to focus on public relations..."

Xie Wei refused to discuss the topic directly, saying, "Laser and nanotechnology cannot be abandoned! Unless I have no influence over the school." His attitude was so firm that it was unsettling.

"Gentlemen, we can discuss any issues when the technical leaders from Factory 14 and Huafeng arrive in a few days."

They directly issued an order to leave.

Mr. Huang looked at Xie Wei's determined face, his lips moved, but in the end he said nothing, sighed silently, and got up to leave.

"Director Xie, about the funding..."

"The funding issue has been resolved."

Liu Debao's words dispelled Ni Guangnan's concerns.

"Xie Wei, the technology for extreme ultraviolet light sources is just too difficult and expensive. How about we take a break and do preliminary research first?"

Xie Wei simply looked at Liu Debao without saying a word.

"Okay~ okay~ anyway, I'll be retiring in about six months."

Feeling uncomfortable under Xie Wei's gaze, Liu Debao finally gave in.

"You shouldn't have gone to Mr. Huang and General Manager Ni to persuade me."

Xie Wei's words left Liu Debao feeling extremely embarrassed.

He didn't deny it.

"We lack too many basic supporting facilities. Research on extreme ultraviolet light sources involves not only laser technology and nanotechnology, but also supporting computer control, higher precision sensing systems, higher precision electron microscopes, and ultra-high precision manufacturing processes..."

In the end, Liu Debao couldn't continue.

He knew Xie Wei was planning for the future.

There is just too much money to be spent.

"Let's go check on Professor Ma."

Xie Wei didn't say anything more, but instead suggested going to the Department of Optoelectronic Technology.

In 1970, Professor Ma Zuguang, who founded the nuclear physics major in the 50s, also founded the laser major at the university, which has now been changed to optoelectronic technology.

Professor Ma Zuguang returned to the university after completing his visiting scholar career in 81. At Xie Wei's suggestion and with the university's support, he established the Tunable Laser Technology Laboratory and served as a graduate supervisor in Physical Electronics. After the first batch of graduate students graduated, he began serving as a doctoral supervisor in Physical Electronics in 85.

"Damn it, if we could bring back all 800 brave men who were reassigned back then, our school..."

On the way, Xie Wei felt upset whenever he thought about the outstanding core members of the school that were snatched away by Harbin Military Engineering Institute and the bigwigs who were later transferred to other schools.

"You'd better not even think about it. Those 800 heroes from our school back then were the most outstanding young people in the country..."

Liu Debao knew that Xie Wei had always felt the university lacked high-level research talent, especially academicians; Xie Wei's idea was to have at least 200…

But the higher-ups can't support this, can they?

"Can't I even think about it?"

Xie Wei said irritably, "High-end cutting-edge technology requires top-notch talent."

Liu Debao fell silent.

"Director Xie, Secretary Liu, what brings you here?"

When the two arrived, Ma Zuguang was conducting experiments with his doctoral students in the tunable laser laboratory.

The two of them rarely come here.

"Currently, our lens precision is insufficient, and the laser generator power is inadequate..."

"Director Ma, we're not here to inquire about the progress."

Xie Wei quickly shook his head.

"???"

Professor Ma looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression.

Why would you come here if not to check on the progress?

It won't affect my ability to supervise students' experiments!

"Is the funding sufficient?"

Xie Wei's first words made Liu Debao's lips twitch and Professor Ma completely stunned.

Are they here to give money?

The school hasn't paid salaries for almost a year.

Thinking about the school's financial situation, Director Ma's heart sank: Could it be that the laser research has consumed too much money, making it difficult for the school to continue funding, and they are preparing to cut projects?

This is not possible!

"Funding is indeed a bit tight, but we can overcome it... The Changchun Institute of Optics and Electronics received funding from the 863 Program and gave us 200 million yuan in support..."

Director Ma hurriedly said.

“Two million yuan is not enough for laser research. How about this, the university will allocate another 800 million yuan in special funds to the Institute of Optoelectronics.”

"what?"

Liu Debao and Ma Zuguang both exclaimed in surprise.

Liu Debao exclaimed in surprise, "It's Xie Wei's generosity that's so great! The money that just arrived in the account, which adds up to less than 8 billion, was allocated 80 million to the Institute of Optoelectronics with just one word from Xie Wei!"
What happened to the promised supporting facilities?
Director Ma was equally shocked. "Director Xie, did you rob the national treasury?"

That's it?
With the 8 million yuan funding exhausted, the Institute of Optoelectronics will likely be unable to produce any results.

"The national treasury doesn't have that much money."

Xie Wei replied irritably, "Technology development is your business, making money is mine. Of course, if you have the energy, it would be best to develop some related products and launch them on the market to recoup the R&D costs as much as possible..."

"..."

Even after Xie Wei left, Director Ma was still in a daze.

Can't figure it out.

You can't get the answer by asking.

Coincidentally, he needed to attend a meeting at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. During his free time, he told Wang Dayan, the director of the Department of Technological Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, about the matter, hoping to get some information from Director Wang.

"Laser technology is a key project under the National 863 Program, and the national investment in this area doesn't even reach 8 million yuan annually! We haven't contacted Xie Wei..."

Director Wang was also puzzled by Xie Wei's extravagant spending.

The seven technological fields of biology, aerospace, information, automation, new materials, energy, and lasers are selected by the National 863 Program. The main task at present is to keep up with the international advanced level and narrow the gap with the most advanced international level through continuous innovation and practice.

The project has not been running for very long and is currently in the initial stage.

Xie Wei has directly poured 8 million yuan into the field of laser research and development!

"He didn't have any requests?"

Director Wang was puzzled; he really didn't understand what Xie Wei was trying to do.

"No. Ever since the establishment of the university's Institute of Optoelectronics, he has never made any demands..."

Ma Zuguang originally thought that it was Director Wang Dayan who had contacted Xie Wei.

Now it seems that's not the case.

"Is he not planning to get married?"

Director Wang frowned. "Isn't Harbin Institute of Technology short of money?"

Director Wang truly didn't understand Xie Wei's decision to invest a huge amount of research funds directly into the Institute of Optoelectronic Technology without making any demands on Xie Wei.

"do not know."

Ma Zuguang shook his head.

Unlike other universities, the research leaders at Harbin Institute of Technology only need to focus on research and talent development; they don't need to worry about funding like project teams at other universities.

How could he know whether the school had resolved its financial problems?

"It seems there's no shortage of money. Xie Wei, though young, never makes reckless promises about funding..."

"That's weird."

8 million is definitely not a small amount.

(End of this chapter)