Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 102 No money? Ask the British!
Northwestern Polytechnical University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

"Liangzi, your approach is spot on! Following your design, we've already produced this brand-new carbon fiber filament in the lab. The test data shows that its tensile modulus has reached 650 GPa. Although it's still a bit short of the 700 GPa you mentioned, it's already the strongest in the world!" Professor Zhang excitedly showed off to Qin Liang, holding a roll of fine thread.

This is a huge breakthrough for our materials science department!
"Yes, Professor Zhang, pulling out high-modulus carbon fiber is only the first step. The subsequent weaving technique is even more important. To improve the fan's sturdiness, we need to use three-dimensional weaving technology..."

What truly made carbon fiber fan blades practical in later generations was this three-dimensional weaving technology! Carbon fiber is not simply layered together, but has a complex mesh structure, which is necessary to meet stringent tests, such as bird strike standards.

“Three-dimensional weaving? It seems we really need to find a few experienced bamboo craftsmen,” Professor Zhang said.

Qin Liang shook his head: "No, no, that was just me joking with the foreigners. If we want to mass-produce, we need to use CNC equipment. We still need to cooperate with the Mechanical Engineering Department to develop a CNC weaving machine... I'll go to the machine room first and design our weaving process."

One million is simply not enough! The air force is so stingy; we still need to find a way to get money from the British!

The computer room was divided into two parts by red warning tape. The British man occupied a computer in the corner, and the printer was clicking away, printing the final design.

The other two computers were still calculating the J-8 project.

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Do you think we should organize some activities?" Tang Changhong asked Zhao Xiaoxia in a low voice.

“Well, the students have been busy for so long, and they can’t go home for New Year’s Eve. I think we can organize a dumpling-making activity. We need to contact the cafeteria…” Zhao Xiaoxia nodded: “I’ll go with the student life committee member.”

Making dumplings together is a great way for classmates to strengthen their friendship. I wonder if Qin Liang will come along... As a member of our Class 5381, Qin Liang rarely gets to participate in activities with his classmates. We need to keep a close eye on him this time and make sure he doesn't slip away.

Just then, a figure appeared at the door.

Speak of Cao Cao, and here comes Cao Cao!

"Qin Liang..."

"Qin, you're finally here! We've finished designing the turbine blades!" Schroeder shouted from the side. "What about your fan blades? When will they be ready?"

"Well, well..."

Seeing Qin Liang's hesitant expression, the group's hearts skipped a beat. What did he mean? Could it be... they hadn't succeeded?
"Everyone, take a look at this first." Qin Liang handed over a piece of thin black thread, about half a meter long.

"This is... carbon fiber?"

"Yes, we searched all over the country and finally found this kind of filament at a sister company. It has a diameter of 7 micrometers, an average tensile strength of 5.5 GPa, an elastic modulus of 290 GPa, and a tensile modulus of..."

"What, this is impossible!"

"That's right, there's no carbon fiber in the world with these properties!"

The British experts were stunned. The overall data was 50% higher than the most advanced Western aircraft! After all, the most advanced Western aircraft was the T-300, while the East had directly developed an aircraft on par with the T-800…

"Just because the rest of the world doesn't mean we don't have it in the East, it's just that..."

"But what?" "The higher-ups allocated one million, which is only enough to buy a few rolls of carbon fiber thread. If we want to weave it into a fan, we'll have to invest more money... We estimate that we'll need at least another five million. Sigh, these are times when even a hero can be brought down by a penny. Maybe... we should just put this project on hold."

"What? No, absolutely not!" Schroeder shook his head. Rolls-Royce's failure in developing carbon fiber blades was due to the lack of advanced composite materials. With this material, the project was already halfway to success. At this point, they absolutely could not give up halfway.

"Qin, tell us where you purchased it from, and we'll go talk to the relevant authorities. We're determined to make this material shine."

"Sigh, forget it." Qin Liang waved his hand: "It's no use talking to you. You still can't build it without money."

"We have money."

"You have money? Great! How about you provide us with five million pounds first? With that money, we're sure we can build this modified engine!"

Wait, we didn't say that! We said we'd take the carbon fiber material back to the UK for research! Also, isn't that five million RMB? When did it become pounds?
Nearby, two other computers displayed user heads, clearly indicating that Qin Liang was bluffing again. Having learned from their previous experiences, they were immune to the five million pound figure; it wasn't much, and hundreds of millions could easily have popped out of Qin Liang's mouth.

"What? You don't want to? If you don't want to, then forget it. Everyone, thank you for your contributions during this time. Starting tomorrow, you will all go back to Factory 430."

Are we giving up?
Schroeder gritted his teeth: "Qin, five million pounds is too much. We can only raise two million pounds for you at most. Moreover, you have to hand over the production technology of this carbon fiber to us."

Although the initial agreement was for technology to be exchanged for technology, Schroeder also knew that if the performance of this carbon fiber was really as good as the other party claimed, it would definitely be worth two million pounds, or even twenty million pounds. This stuff could be used in all sorts of high-tech products!
"Okay! Get the money for us as soon as possible so we can continue manufacturing. Oh, right, I need to use this computer to calculate the shape of the fan blades. Xiaoxia, you take our foreign friends to the cafeteria for lunch!"

Zhao Xiaoxia stepped forward: "Okay!"

After the foreigners reluctantly left, Qin Liang first opened the hidden storage space and saw that the British design process had been recorded. Then, he unplugged the hard drives from other computers, plugged them in, copied them, and only after doing all this did he begin designing his own plan.

When the foreigner returned from his meal, the design drawings for the fan blades had already appeared on the screen.

Unlike the slender, elongated shape of fan blades, it is very wide, like a broadsword, and its twisting angle is also unique. Even titanium alloy probably cannot be made into such a complex shape; only composite materials can achieve this.

Looking at the design, Schroeder took a deep breath: "Qin, don't worry, the two million pounds will definitely arrive within a week. I need to send this design back to Rolls-Royce first!"

"can!"

Having design drawings is useless; you need the key production process. This unique design will open the eyes of the British, and they'll be more willing to allocate funds!
Qin Liang finished his work at nine o'clock in the evening. Zhao Xiaoxia came over and said, "Qin Liang, our class is planning to make dumplings tomorrow. Do you... want to join us?"

"Tomorrow? Why?"

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve.

"What?"

Is it already almost Chinese New Year?
"Okay, okay, I'll definitely go!"

(End of this chapter)