Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 209 Substandard Solar Panels

As the setting sun cast its last rays, painting the sky a magnificent orange-red, the hustle and bustle of the Takihwa International Golf Course gradually subsided.

Chen Mo did not intend to leave Longhua immediately. He had Xiao Zheng drive him and Zhao Tiezhu across the bridge over the shimmering river and arrived at the Guanlan Industrial Park, which was under construction on the other side.

Unlike the lush green grass and luxurious leisure on the other side of the river, Guanlan Industrial Park presents a vibrant industrial force.

Large tracts of land have been leveled, and the first phase of standard factory buildings and supporting facilities have sprung up. Tower cranes stand tall, construction vehicles shuttle back and forth, and the air is filled with the atmosphere of construction.

The car eventually stopped in a relatively remote factory area.

Security here is noticeably tighter, with high walls and electric fences, and vigilant security guards at the gate, conducting rigorous checks.

The sign next to the factory gate reads "Chengchuang Materials Co., Ltd.", a low-key and inconspicuous small factory.

As soon as Chen Mo's car arrived at the door, the electric gate slowly opened.

A middle-aged man in a gray work jacket and gold-rimmed glasses, with a capable demeanor, was already waiting there with seven or eight other people who were also dressed in work clothes but clearly looked like researchers.

The person in charge was Su Jie, the leader whom Chen Mo had just recruited for Orange Creation last month.

"Welcome, Mr. Chen and Mr. Zhao, to Orange Innovation!" Su Jie stepped forward, his voice loud yet respectful.

Although the technical team behind him was somewhat reserved, they all nodded in greeting, their eyes revealing their admiration for Su Jie and their curiosity about Chen Mo.

After all, since Orange acquired Juchuang and renamed it Orange Creation, they have been in a state of being "left to their own devices" for the past six months!
"President Su, let's skip the formalities!" Chen Mo waved with a smile, got out of the car and shook hands with them briefly: "I've never been here before. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to see how Orange's 'secret base' is developing!"

His gaze swept over the group of highly educated people behind Su Jie: "It seems that President Su gets along well with everyone; they've already formed a cohesive team so quickly!"

Su Jie pushed up his glasses and smiled confidently.

"Mr. Chen, you flatter me. We all share the same goal: to create something truly core for Orange!"

He stepped aside to lead the way: "President Chen, President Zhao, please, let me show you around!"

To enter the factory area, one needs to pass through multiple access control points. Su Jie repeatedly swipes his card, enters passwords, and even goes through an iris verification process that looks very futuristic.

The factory area was exceptionally clean and quiet, with clear demarcation.

"Mr. Chen, based on your previous plans and confidentiality requirements, Orange Creation is currently focusing on three types of internal materials!"

Su Jie introduced the situation as he walked.

"Special polymer materials, self-cleaning nano-coating paints, and key auxiliary agents for processing calcium-titanium matrices."

Because these are all key core materials, the demand is actually not large, but the requirements for purity and stability are extremely high. Therefore, our equipment configuration pursues precision and flexibility.

Many production lines can be quickly adjusted and mixed according to order requirements!

Chen Mo nodded, looking through the observation window at the equipment operating inside the cleanroom.

Reactors, high-speed dispersers, nano-grinding machines, and various precision testing instruments such as infrared spectrometers and viscometers.

"Being cautious is necessary. These things are the 'heart' of many products from Yuancheng and Chengke. Better to be slow than to use inferior products!"

They walked up to a production line that was in operation, the equipment emitting a low hum.

"President Su, what is this production line producing right now?" Chen Mo asked.

"Mr. Chen, what we're producing now is the oxidant in the calcium-titanium matrix processing aids supplied to Yuancheng!" Su Jie answered meticulously, "Yuancheng just placed an order for 100 kilograms, and we're rushing to complete it!"

Chen Mo did some mental calculations:
One kilogram of oxidant can treat approximately 14.4 kilograms of perovskite matrix, and 100 kilograms is 1.44 tons.

He asked casually, "So far, how much oxidant and reducing agent has Yuancheng received from Chengchuang?"

Su Jie did not answer immediately, but thought about it carefully before speaking.

"Approximately 600 kilograms of oxidizing agent and reducing agent were delivered in total."

He paused.

"Based on the core process formula you provided, Mr. Chen, our technical team has successfully synthesized the sample in the laboratory, and the purity meets the requirements."

However, the mass production process is not yet stable enough. After the first batch of 10 kg of mass-produced batteries was sent to Yuancheng for testing, feedback indicated that the purity fluctuations caused the battery performance to fail to fully meet the preset targets.

We are working diligently to overcome the challenges of mass production purification processes.

Chen Mo listened attentively. Although the system contained a perfect mass production plan, he did not intend to use it directly.

This kind of technical bottleneck is a good opportunity to train the team, and the resulting technology and processes will be more reasonable!
He patted Su Jie on the shoulder approvingly: "Yes, when you encounter a problem, you should solve it. It's always good to take a steady approach. Thank you for your hard work, and please thank the entire technical team for me!"

Afterwards, Chen Mo and Zhao Tiezhu, accompanied by Su Jie, visited the employee living area of ​​Orange Innovation.

The factory area, under closed management, is fully equipped with dormitories, canteens, mini-supermarkets, gyms, and reading corners, and the landscaping is also very well done.

Orange Innovation strives to provide a comfortable living environment for these 100 or so employees who need to work in a confidential environment for a long time.

"How are the employees feeling? Do they feel bored staying here for so long?" Chen Mo asked with concern.

“We conduct assessments during the recruitment process and tend to choose people who can adapt to this environment!” Su Jie explained.

"Furthermore, our management is not completely closed. Employees can request leave to go out if they have something to do. However, the confidentiality agreements and requirements are stricter for key technical personnel!"

Chen Mo nodded, then suddenly asked, "How is Orange Creation's cash flow right now?"

Su Jie was clearly very familiar with the financial data and answered immediately.

"Currently, we mainly supply Chengke Polymer Materials, accounting for about 39%, self-cleaning coating paint accounts for 30%, and perovskite processing auxiliaries to Yuancheng account for 25%."

Due to confidentiality and internal settlement, the overall profit margin is maintained at around 30%.

In the third quarter of this year, the average monthly profit was approximately 120 million, and we currently have about 300 million in cash on hand!

After a moment's thought, Chen Mo realized that the profit margin was indeed small, but considering its strategic significance and internal service nature, it was within reason.

He made a direct decision: "I will have Orange allocate an additional 100 million yuan as a special bonus for Orange Creation!"

"President Su, you take 10 yuan, and you can distribute the rest as you see fit. Focus on rewarding the technical team and key frontline personnel. The oxidant can now be mass-produced, and the reducing agent process is also showing signs of success. This is what you deserve!"

A barely perceptible hint of excitement flashed across Su Jie's face as he said steadily, "On behalf of all the employees of Orange Creation, I would like to thank President Chen for his recognition and encouragement!"

After leaving Orange Ventures and getting back into the car, Zhao Tiezhu couldn't help but joke, "Brother Chen, only one million? This isn't like your usual big-spending style."

Chen Mo smiled and tossed him a copy of "Practical Business Management".

"What do you know, kid? This is called anticipatory incentive! If you feed them too much at once, how will you motivate them next time? You need to keep them motivated!"

"Oh, it's like hanging a carrot around and making people run around!" Zhao Tiezhu suddenly realized, flipping through the book with a grin.

"Get lost! That's called combining goal management with incentive mechanisms!" Chen Mo laughed and cursed, then said to Xiao Zheng, "Xiao Zheng! Let's go check out Yuancheng!"

He wanted to see for himself what level the calcium titanium solar cells produced using a reducing agent that wasn't pure enough were at!
Deck-sized solar panels are so rare!

The car drove toward Yuancheng New Energy's enormous super battery factory.

Unlike the quiet surroundings of Orange Innovation, the area around Yuancheng is exceptionally bustling, with the needs of thousands of workers giving rise to a vibrant commercial street.

The area was bustling with people and filled with the lively atmosphere of everyday life.

As soon as Chen Mo's car arrived at the entrance of Yuancheng, before the security guards could fully let him through, Zhao Tiezhu, with his sharp eyes, spotted a familiar figure in the security booth – Old Liu, the security guard he had known before on Yuancheng.

"Brother Chen, I saw Old Liu! I'm going down to chat with him for a bit. The production line is giving me a headache, I'm not going to suffer there!" Zhao Tiezhu chuckled. Chen Mo knew that was just his personality—sentimental, fond of chatting and joking with familiar people—so he waved his hand: "Go ahead, go ahead. Chat is fine, but don't bother him!"

Zhao Tiezhu quickly got out of the car, pulled out a few red bills from his wallet, and stuffed them into the hands of the security captain who came up to him: "Brothers, you've worked hard. Please have some water!"

Then, he expertly offered cigarettes to Old Liu and began to boast.

"Uncle Liu, have you seen what I'm wearing? Valentina!"

One short-sleeved shirt is worth three months' salary!
Just got back from playing golf. In that area, a single shot costs several tens of dollars.

Zhao Tiezhu was catching up with Old Liu, which attracted the attention of several young security guards who gathered around him with envy and curiosity.

Without a doubt, Zhao Tiezhu likes this kind of "vulgar" pretentiousness. Otherwise, why would he learn from those business elites in the "Step by Step Ointment" group to drink coffee and smoke cigars?
For Zhao Tiezhu, returning home in glory is like wearing fine clothes in the dark; if one doesn't flaunt one's wealth and status by showing off to old acquaintances, then what is the point of being rich and powerful?

Of course, Old Liu didn't lose out either. At least everyone in the Yuancheng security team knew that Zhao Tiezhu, one of the three giants of Orange, was his "backer".

Chen Mo's car drove straight into the factory area.

Upon receiving the notification, Xu Mingyuan's secretary, Xiao Zhang, was already jogging and waiting in the parking area.

"Mr. Chen, I'm so sorry! Mr. Xu is currently receiving a client group from Sanjing SDI and really can't get away," Xiao Zhang quickly explained.

"Sanjing phones? They're coming to us to buy batteries?" Chen Mo asked, somewhat surprised.

"Mr. Chen, it's Sanjing SDI, not Sanjing Electronics," Xiao Zhang carefully explained. "Although they belong to the same group, their businesses are different!"

“Sanjing SDI is developing small-scale high-end energy storage systems and has taken a liking to our highly safe gaseous lithium battery technology. They want to explore the possibility of cell specification compatibility!”

In fact, there were rumors in the industry that Sanjing itself was also developing similar gaseous lithium batteries, but encountered some technical problems, which is why it approached Sanjing for cooperation.

These small, high-end energy storage systems target two core scenarios:
First, it offers home energy storage solutions tailored for the ultra-wealthy, meeting the high-end energy storage needs of luxury homes.

Secondly, it provides energy storage solutions suitable for space-constrained vehicles such as airplanes and cruise ships, matching their high-end positioning and requirements for power supply efficiency, stability, and safety.

"President Xu can handle the business matters!" Chen Mo waved his hand. "I came here to see Director Liu's team's calcium-titanium solar cells. I heard they've made the samples?"

"Director Liu is conducting outdoor testing in the back testing area. Mr. Chen, please follow me!"

Xiao Zhang immediately led the way.

Upon arriving at the spacious outdoor testing area, Liu Mingzhen and her team were seen nervously testing three dark black, one-piece plate-shaped objects (1m x 1m x 4mm) under the last rays of the setting sun.

Generally, photovoltaic panels on the market need to be 14mm thick to support their overall strength due to their own strength requirements, but calcium titanium solar panels only need a fraction of 4mm to support their overall strength!
The wires connect various instruments, and team members continuously report data.

"Photoelectric conversion efficiency of 23.5%!"

"The energy storage capacity of 200Wh/kg per unit area has been met!"

"The self-discharge rate meets the expected 1% per minute!"

When Liu Mingzhen saw Chen Mo arrive, he simply nodded in acknowledgment and did not come over immediately. Instead, he focused on directing the next test.

"Prepare for mechanical performance testing! Prepare for pressure resistance!"

Chen Mo also stood quietly to the side, observing.

A solar panel was lifted up, and heavy square weights began to be added step by step.

100kg
500kg
1000kg
4600kg!

That's equivalent to the weight of an SUV pressing down on it!
Just then, with a crisp "bang", obvious cracks finally appeared on the surface of the solar panel, but the overall structure remained intact and did not break or disintegrate.

"The compressive strength is approximately 460 MPa!" the engineer reported.

The target was 500 MPa, which was not fully achieved due to insufficient purity of the reducing agent, but it still far exceeded that of conventional materials.

Next came the shear and puncture resistance tests.

The massive torque device twists the solar panel like wringing a towel, eventually tearing it apart when it reaches a shear modulus of 420 GPa (preset 480 GPa).

During the puncture test, the steel rod pierced the solar panel, causing local damage and energy release as stress. The solar panel partially shattered, but did not cause a fire or explosion, thus verifying its overall safety.

After the test was over, Liu Mingzhen came over with the data board and reported to Chen Mo.

"Mr. Chen, the main bottleneck at present is that the reducing agent provided by Orange Innovation is only 86% pure, which results in the overall composite strength and related performance of the battery substrate after processing and forming being about 8% lower than the theoretical value."

As long as they can consistently increase the purity to over 90%, achieving the preset target will be no problem at all!

She paused, then added, "In addition, the technical evaluation team sent from above has already taken away a semi-finished product and data."

"They acknowledged our direction and technology, but also suggested that, within the limits of our technology, we should further increase the purity of the reducing agent and strive for even higher strength indicators!"

Chen Mo shook his head after hearing this: "Tell them it's unnecessary. Starting from 90% purity, every 3% increase almost doubles the cost. The marginal benefit is too low!"

"Our primary goal is to achieve stable mass production; as for higher performance..."

A confident smile appeared on Chen Mo's lips.

"I already have a preliminary idea for the second-generation product. The core indicators such as power generation efficiency, energy density, and intensity will all be improved. The plan and ideas will be finalized after the new year, and then we can move directly towards the new goal!"

Liu Mingzhen carefully noted it down: "Yes, Mr. Chen!"

"In addition, the head of the evaluation team said that after our qualified products pass the final verification, they will coordinate a team of experts proficient in 'supercapacitor' technology to come and assist us in system adaptation and optimization."

"A supercapacitor expert? That's great!" Chen Mo's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

He immediately instructed Liu Mingzhen, "Director Liu, this is a valuable learning opportunity!"

"Supercapacitor technology and ultra-fast charging technology are inseparable!"
"When the time comes, you should find ways to communicate and learn more from experts, and strive to upgrade our honeycomb battery fast charging technology from the current 4C (80% charge in 3 minutes) to a theoretical level of 6C or even 8C. Let's accumulate this as a technological reserve first!"

"what?"

Liu Mingzhen hesitated, feeling that President Chen's thoughts were not being used on the "right path".

"Mr. Chen, isn't your main objective a bit off track?"

Chen Mo laughed and said, "How can this not be important?"

"We have invested heavily in the research and development of this integrated calcium-titanium solar cell, which is very costly. There are basically no civilian applications in the early stages, and it is highly likely that it will not be allowed to be exported."

Now that we have national-level experts coming to provide support, how can we quickly reduce R&D costs if we don't take this opportunity to learn more cutting-edge technologies and expand our technology library?
This is called maximizing resource utilization!

"Oh, right!" he said, half-jokingly lowering his voice, "See if any of the experts on our team think our platform is good and has a bright future; we could talk about it then."

Liu Mingzhen was speechless for a moment: "."

Those are national treasure-level experts in the relevant field; they're not so easy to poach.
But looking at Chen Mo's expression, which was half serious and half joking, she finally nodded helplessly, yet also found it a little funny.

"Okay, Mr. Chen, I understand. I will try my best to communicate and learn from each other!"

As the sun completely sinks below the horizon, the Orange Innovation Park and the golf course in Guanlan Industrial Park face each other across the river.

On one side lies a busy future, on the other, tranquil luxury.

As Chen Mo drove away from Longhua, his understanding of the Orange Group's industrial chain layout became clearer.

(End of this chapter)