Technology invades the modern world

Chapter 370 The Cornerstone of the Lunar Base

Perhaps if Lin Ran didn't do that, nothing would happen, and it wouldn't have any impact.

He made this decision because Lin Ran had spent many years in the White House and, in addition to being a scientist, was already a skilled politician, or rather, a statesman.

This is the result of his past experiences and his reflections from a political perspective.

To take, you must first give.

What's the difference between a politician and a statesman? The former is willing to trade anything for personal gain; the latter has their own core principles and ideals, and will not budge an inch on those principles, even if the current situation is unfavorable and they have no choice but to concede, even if it means making concessions.

"Professor Lin, sigh, I rarely treat you as a young person. In my daily interactions with you, I only remember how young you are when I see your face."

To have such insights at such a young age is a lesson that most people who have spent years navigating the complexities of officialdom may not be able to learn.

Some say Lin Taihang was lucky, but I don't think so. His educational philosophy may have been ahead of its time. "Lin Zhongqing said with emotion.

Lin Ran thought to himself, "Ah, besides sending money, what other help has my dad given me? I've completely made it through my own hard work and struggle."

“But you don’t necessarily have to go that far. Yanjing trusts you completely. No matter who tries to sow discord, it won’t affect that. What you’re worried about is an extreme scenario, which I think is almost impossible under our circumstances,” Lin Zhongqing continued.

Lin Ran grinned and said, "Those who know me and those who condemn me will be judged by history."

Fame is just an external thing; you can't take it with you when you die. Even a scientist like Dean Qian sometimes has to adapt to changing circumstances to ensure that his core research institutions are not affected.
It's just a precaution; I hope it won't happen, and I believe it won't.

Before Lin Zhongqing was transferred from Shanghai Jiaotong University to a local position, he had to go to Yenching for a talk.

"That's roughly it," Lin Zhongqing reported.

The middle-aged man sitting opposite him laughed loudly: "What a wonderful saying, 'Those who know me will be judged by history.' Principal Lin, I think Professor Lin is the real genius. He said nothing, yet he said everything."

Lin Zhongqing understood: "Yes, he didn't say anything, but he said everything."

The phrase "hope it won't happen," "believe it won't happen," and the fact that Dean Qian was specifically mentioned—isn't that the best indication of what's to come?
What is the current situation? Under pressure from America, what China needs is a breakthrough, and a technological breakthrough is absolutely of paramount importance. Let alone the fact that Lin Ran is not a saint yet, even if Lin Ran really becomes a saint, no one will do anything to him.

Even if he made the same statement at the Bund Summit, saying that Jack Ma would disappear, if Lin Ran made the same statement, it would only be ignored and would not affect him personally at all.

But that's now. What if the situation changes? If China surpasses America and external pressure disappears, will you still be able to enjoy such unconditional preferential treatment?

Lin Ran specifically mentioned Dean Qian, both as an example and to express his own ambitions.

"Alright, I understand. Don't worry about it. The best thing we can do is keep quiet. Everyone should do their job. We'll do our part, and Professor Lin will do his. Smart people don't need to spell things out."

Immediately, the middle-aged man sighed, "These young people nowadays are truly formidable. If they weren't so talented in scientific research, I would have sent them to work in a local area. I'm really curious to see if they could blend in with the world and make something of themselves if they went there."

He shook his head again: "What a pity, what a pity. Geniuses are always so rare. I can't do things according to my personal preferences when it comes to Lin Ran's arrangements."

"No, Principal, what's wrong?" Peng Hui is the principal's assistant. He was only elected as an academician last year. Before that, he was the director of the Department of Polymer Science at Fudan University, and he has always been engaged in polymer materials.

I came to school today and was shocked to hear the terrible news.

Not long ago, everyone was discussing how to compete with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the Shanghai-Haikou region. Faced with such an unfavorable situation, the admission scores of Shanghai Jiao Tong University across the country are now almost 20 points higher than the average score of Fudan University.

With scores around 20, there's already a gradient.

Moreover, in the past, only Yenching University could win IMO gold medals, and even Tsinghua University had difficulty winning them despite having the support of Shing-Tung Yau. Now, National Chiao Tung University can occasionally win them.

In the eyes of the outside world, Shanghai Jiao Tong University is undoubtedly the top 3, while Fudan University has fallen to the point of competing with Zhejiang University for the top 4.

In Shanghai, many local students can barely get into Yenching University or Tsinghua University. In the past, when choosing to stay in the city and pick a good major, the choice was about 50/50 between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Now, Shanghai Jiao Tong University is the first choice, and then Fudan University is the next option.

Faced with this situation, the recent development of photovoltaic modules has become a new catalyst.

It's like everyone is racing on the road, competing to see who can go the fastest. Everyone's speed was about the same, but Jiaotong University keeps giving them speed boosts, which has already put them ahead by a lot. Recently, they got another big speed boost, which has made them jump even further ahead.

Fudan University is also applying for something similar to a cutting-edge scientific research center. Their application is for the Intelligent Materials Science Research Center in the Department of Materials Science, which focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in complex scientific problems and promotes the integration of artificial intelligence and materials science.

The report has been submitted to the Ministry of Education for several years, starting in 2018. Now it's 2024 and the report still hasn't been approved. But then we heard that Shanghai Jiao Tong University has specially approved a cutting-edge scientific research center with functions and positioning that are almost exactly the same as what they wanted to build.

The fact that the number of students submitted has been reduced means that Fudan University's hopes of being approved are even slimmer.

They also face continuous suppression from Jiaotong University.

For example, when Fudan University published its breakthrough paper on photovoltaics, only two young scholars attended. In their view, this was suppression. Jiaotong University sent nearly 50 people, while we only sent two? Are we inferior to Jiaotong University in the field of materials science?
However, Peng Hui never expected that while she was discussing countermeasures with the principal, the principal would defect to the enemy.

"Yes, the organization has made a decision. I will be transferred to Jiaotong University to serve as its president."

"I'm not being modest, but if Lao Lin is leaving and we're looking to select someone from the local education sector in Shanghai, I'm definitely the most suitable one," Jin Li explained.

Peng Hui was dumbfounded. You are indeed suitable, but the problem is, you are a graduate of Fudan University. Is it appropriate for you to go to Jiaotong University to become the president? This is tantamount to defecting to the enemy!

He murmured, "No, Principal, didn't we agree to revitalize Fudan University and crush Jiaotong University?"

Peng Hui dared not imagine what the president of Jiaotong University would think of his previous remarks, which were similar to those about defeating Jiaotong University. He also never imagined that the president of Fudan University would one day become the president of Jiaotong University.

Jin Liyi said righteously, "Yes! I studied at Fudan University for my bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, and my feelings for Fudan are beyond doubt!"
My trip to Shanghai Jiao Tong University is also to find a way out for Fudan University. After going to Jiao Tong University, I will be able to understand why Jiao Tong University has developed so well in recent years. I will learn from Jiao Tong University's experience and then come back to improve Fudan University.

Peng Hui was completely speechless. Isn't what you're saying a bit too far-fetched?

Haven't we discussed how Jiaotong University rose to prominence many times? Wasn't it just good luck that it produced a figure like Lin Ran, who directly propelled Jiaotong University to take off?
If companies like DeepRed and Apollo Technology have close ties with Fudan University, and Fudan students can intern at these places and seamlessly transition into employment after their internships, Fudan's admission scores will also rise accordingly.

Having more top scholars has some effect, but having two giant enterprises that are not university-run but are even better than university-run enterprises is the most crucial thing.

The question is, where can Fudan University find two giant enterprises? Especially in the most challenging fields of aerospace and artificial intelligence.

And will Jinli really come back? Peng Hui doubted it. She thought he was probably planning to never return and, like the president of Jiaotong University, jump from the university administration system to the local government.

In other words, since the other party was his direct superior, Peng Hui had to maintain his composure and not openly question him. However, he was still at Fudan University and had to advocate for Fudan: "President, it's like this, didn't Yenching University approve the establishment of a cutting-edge science research center at Jiaotong University?"
When you were the president, could you allocate some positions in this center to young scholars from Fudan University? That way, it would be nominally run by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, but in reality, it would become a joint venture between Fudan and Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

We can first apply to Yenching University to transform it into a joint research institution of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University. After achieving results, it can then be upgraded from a research institution under a university to a local research institution in Shanghai, or even a research institution directly under Yenching University.

Peng Hui's idea is to first operate in this way in practice, and then seek a nominal joint venture; upgrading is just wishful thinking.

Jin Li nodded and said, "Of course, but it's not up to me to decide. You know who established this center. Even though I'm the principal, I don't have any say in Professor Lin's affairs!"

I will definitely do my best to help Fudan University!

"Trying your best is the same as not trying"—Peng Hui understood this subtext all too well. As the principal's assistant, which was already a high-level position, he was very familiar with these administrative terms.

After all, he sometimes uses similar language with his subordinates.

As for Professor Lin, Peng Hui had even less hope. How could you expect a Jiaotong University graduate to look at Fudan University differently? Especially a young man who graduated from Jiaotong University a few years ago, who was famous all over the world and had never experienced any setbacks.

Peng Hui finally asked, "So, Principal, I think the Frontier Technology Center also needs a deputy director in charge of administrative affairs. What do you think of me?"

Jinli nodded and said, "I think you're more suitable. I'll give it a try."

Why would they agree to this? Because Jinli would need his own people to go to Jiaotong University. For a newly established institution, such as the deputy director position, wouldn't it be appropriate to appoint someone from his own circle?

Secondly, Lin Ran is the director, and the deputy director often deals with him, so he arranges for his own people to indirectly build a closer relationship.

It could be said that he had planned everything meticulously. However, he never expected that Lin Ran had already made arrangements. It can only be said that no matter how much he schemed, he couldn't have foreseen that Lin Ran would arrange for his own father to take over the position.

On the Simplified Chinese internet, attention to Apollo Technologies' lunar base construction project initially peaked, then gradually declined, but has recently begun to rise again.

This is related to their high-profile announcement of a lunar superconducting computing center, but it is also because it is an infrastructure project, and infrastructure projects have physical structures.

It is a large-scale infrastructure project that is visibly expanding.

On the edge of Shackleton Crater at the lunar south pole, the eternal sunlight shines on a photovoltaic array that has expanded to several square kilometers.

These arrays are not tiled, but vertical. Vertical arrays can reduce dust accumulation, and the lunar dust problem is much more serious than that on Earth.

The lunar photovoltaic power generation solution adopted by the supplier found by NASA is a lunar photovoltaic rover. The solar panels are on the rover, and when solar energy needs to be collected, the solar panels are laid flat. When not needed, the panels are switched from flat to vertical to avoid the accumulation of lunar dust.

Huaguo, on the other hand, adopts a direct vertical approach. Because of its low deployment costs, Huaguo can sacrifice some photoelectric conversion efficiency in order to achieve higher stability and a longer service life.

These silicon-based photovoltaic modules are specifically designed for the lunar environment. Each module is approximately 2 square meters in area and has an efficiency of around 23%. They were transported by Apollo Technologies through multiple launch missions, and the total output has reached 50 MW, which is sufficient to support the energy needs of the entire base.

Within the shadowed area of ​​Shackleton Crater, the footprint of these photovoltaic modules is expanding very rapidly.

These photovoltaic modules are the most frequently used components in Apollo Technology's launch missions.

Then, because of the lack of energy, the astronauts had to build these photovoltaic modules themselves at first.

In other words, over the past few months, astronauts Wei Xuhang, Qian Fei, and Zhao Jianguo have been laying the components themselves: wearing spacesuits, dragging the parts, and fixing them one by one onto the lunar soil support.

The process is tedious and dangerous. The static electricity of lunar dust causes components to slip easily, and the gravity of the moon is only 1/6 that of Earth, making every step feel like walking on water.

From the perspective of a live broadcast, it's like astronauts laying human-made objects on the lunar surface. It's novel the first time you see it, but it gets less and less interesting afterward.

But it will rise as you reach the bottom, because the area you've covered is getting larger and the visual effect is becoming more and more obvious.

Chinese people naturally enjoy the feeling of farming.

This time is different from the past because the construction of photovoltaic modules and supporting power supply facilities has been completed, and this is the first time that robots have been operating on the moon.

After that, even if there are no human astronauts on the moon, the robots will work automatically to lay out the photovoltaic modules.

This is a six-wheeled tracked robot named Wu Gang, weighing about 300 kilograms. Equipped with a robotic arm and a laser scanner, it can autonomously navigate and lay photovoltaic modules.

It uses the latest algorithms, based on SLAM technology, to plan paths on the lunar terrain, avoiding craters and rocks.

Powered by a small lithium-sulfur battery, combined with photovoltaic self-charging, it can operate continuously for 72 hours.

This is the first time the robot has worked independently—humans only need to monitor it.

Wei Xuhang stood in front of the observation window of the control cabin, his arms crossed over his chest, the display screen transmitting the robot's perspective in real time: "This damn lunar ash-scouring life is finally coming to an end."

Zhao Jianguo corrected, "This isn't applying ash; it's laying photovoltaic panels."

Wei Xuhang was speechless: "Laying out photovoltaic panels on the moon is different from laying them on Earth. There's lunar dust on the moon, what's the difference between that and dusting? Your spacesuit will always be covered in dust."

Fortunately, the first step has finally been completed; human astronauts are no longer just toiling away on the moon.

Zhao Jianguo glanced at him: "You think we won't have to do any more plastering later? Didn't you see the planning map?"

Wei Xuhang said with a long face, "You're right, we just finished here and the next project is already here, it just doesn't stop."

Astronauts and factory workers are no different; they both do manual labor.

What's next? The next step is to build an electromagnetic launch track.

The orbit extending from Shackleton to the Degellach crater.

The tracks here are laid flat, which can be used both as launch vehicles for spacecraft to escape lunar orbit and as transportation devices to and from the two impact craters.

It's somewhat similar to the concept of maglev trains on Earth.

To avoid the complex environment on the moon affecting this electromagnetic orbit, it is necessary to first lay a foundation using lunar soil as the structural material, then install the orbit, and finally cover it with the structural material.

To put it more simply, lunar soil should be used as the framework and foundation for retaining walls, supports, and radiating structures.

The entire process of laying the framework can be done by robots, but the final assembly and splicing of the acceleration modules cannot be done with the precision required by robots, and ultimately the astronauts have to do it.

First they installed solar panels, then built the railway – pure manual labor.

In the official Apollo Technology livestream room on Earth, the host was very excited, "Look! Our Wu Gang first uses a laser to scan the Earth's surface and calculate the slope."

If the tilt exceeds 5 degrees, the bracket height will be automatically adjusted to ensure the component tilt angle is optimized to 23.5 degrees, matching the lunar rotation axis.

To become an official anchor at Apollo Technology, one must start with a master's degree in science and engineering. After training, one can readily apply professional knowledge: "The efficiency of a photovoltaic array depends on the angle of incidence. In the quasi-constant light region of the lunar south pole, it can achieve an average annual capacity factor of 80%."

As for the concerns that the robot's reliability might be affected by a lunar dust storm, we have already taken that into account!

Wu Gang has a vibration cleaning system that can shake off the dust.

The host continued, "Viewers, you are witnessing history! This is the first time that photovoltaic modules have been autonomously laid on the moon by robots."

Wu Gang is setting off from the base, its tracks rolling over the lunar soil at a speed of about 2 meters per second. Why so slow? Because the lunar terrain is complex, and it must calculate its center of gravity in real time to avoid overturning.

These photovoltaic modules are gallium arsenide thin-film type, which are lightweight, highly resistant to radiation, and can work for 20 years in the vacuum of the moon.

Now, the robot extends its robotic arm, grasps the component, and aligns it perfectly! It uses ultrasonic welding to secure the bracket, making it 1.5 times stronger than Earth's steel.

The live stream switched to the robot's first-person perspective: the robotic arm precisely picked up a photovoltaic panel, scanned the ground, sprayed a small amount of adhesive to fix the base, then unfolded the panel and connected the cables.

The whole process was as smooth as water, taking only 5 minutes per piece.

The anchor continued, "This is not just laying the foundation; it is the cornerstone of our lunar base!"
The expanded photovoltaic array will provide redundant power for 3D printing plants and nuclear fission stations, supporting oxygen production and water recycling.

This also marks the beginning of complete energy self-sufficiency.

The live stream chat was flooded with comments:
"That's so cool! Robots are so much more stable than humans. Finally, we don't have to watch astronauts' hands tremble anymore!"

"I'd like to ask what framework the robot's AI is based on? TensorFlow or PyTorch?"

"A lunar-made photovoltaic paving machine!"

"The Chinese and Laos truly live up to their reputation as infrastructure powerhouses; they've even started building infrastructure on the moon."

"No, when are we going to plant vegetables? I want to see vegetables being planted."

"A historic moment! The first step in humanity's conquest of the moon begins with energy independence."

Amidst the barrage of comments, the robot completed the first row of deployment, and the edge of the array expanded by another 10 meters.

(End of this chapter)