From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 104 The Boss's Decision: Propose a New Project, Bypassing the High-Tech Division!

Mathematical genius!

This is an amazing label!
Scientists and engineers in physics and engineering may achieve significant results or develop super materials or cutting-edge technologies, but their academic and research abilities may not necessarily be stronger than those of others.

Their academic research capabilities only reached a certain standard. The important thing was the correctness of their research direction, plus a little bit of luck. These three factors combined to complete the research.

In reality, two scientists of similar skill levels often find themselves in vastly different circumstances in their research careers.

One of them found the right research and development direction, and with a bit of luck, they eventually achieved great research results, which enhanced their reputation and prestige. Some even won major international scientific research awards.

Another research direction has problems or is too difficult, resulting in no results over the years and ultimately remaining unknown.

So what are the standards for measuring academic research ability?

Mathematics is the most direct standard of measurement.

In physics and engineering, a high level of mathematical ability does not guarantee becoming a top researcher, but top researchers certainly have a high level of mathematical ability.

"Mathematics is just too important..."

Chen Jianfeng stared at the few sheets of paper on the table with a sigh.

The mathematical content above has a computational complexity that would stump over 99% of scholars.

Zhang Minghao is able to sort out logic, complete various complex solutions, and use this to complete the design of a new type of invisible sphere. His mathematical ability is almost unimaginable.

Chen Jianfeng felt he couldn't do it, and when he looked at Zhang Minghao again, he felt a sense of awe and reverence.

At the same time, they have more confidence in the projects they are working on.

Chen Jianfeng came to learn about the research methodology, hoping to understand the work behind the design of the invisible sphere.

In many fields, research methods are more important than results.

It's confirmed now.

The design of the new invisible sphere relies on mathematical analysis of large amounts of data. Interestingly, mathematics is inherently like this: the method of solving a problem is more important than the problem itself.

The only problem is that the design principles involve a lot of logical analysis and calculations, which cannot be understood in a short time.

Chen Jianfeng pondered for a moment and shook his head. He stood up and asked, "Professor Zhang, could you summarize and compile this information into a document?"

"We'll take it back and publish it as an internal paper. Don't worry, you'll still be the author."

"We'll pass it up internally, and anyone who's interested can take a look."

Zhang Minghao said, "That's simple, I can just submit it as a project outcome, right?"

Chen Jianfeng nodded immediately.

Sun Wen, who had been listening attentively, suddenly asked, "Professor Chen, I'd like to ask if our research can be published as a paper, for example, the measurement and comparison of materials."

"And there's the research on invisibility spheres. I mean, can we let others know about the progress of invisibility sphere research?"

This issue involves confidentiality.

Sun Wen was genuinely concerned about whether they could publish papers, especially in the field of materials testing, as their team had some experimental data that could be published.

The project has been abandoned and ended.

If even basic research papers cannot be published, it's equivalent to gaining nothing, which will have a significant impact on her personally.

In addition, there are other people on the team who also want to publish papers.

Papers are an important criterion for evaluating academic achievements.

"of course can."

Chen Jianfeng laughed nonchalantly, "Your invisibility spheres have long since ceased to be a secret."

"You publicly displayed the older model of the stealth ball, and it was reported in the news. Now, many people should also know about the new generation, right?"

“We value the infrared control and visual stealth involved more, which can generally be released, and the technology belongs to you.”

"However, as you all know, this technology is unlikely to be put into practical use due to significant ethical and legal risks."

Invisibility technology sounds cool, but it usually only exists in laboratories.

Even if an invisibility cloak were actually created, it could only be used in a laboratory setting, and at most, the technological achievement could be demonstrated to the public.

If the product were released, the world might descend into chaos.

They chatted and laughed as they walked out of the reception room together.

Chen Jianfeng felt the conversation had reached a point where it was appropriate, and they prepared to leave.

As he walked outside, he asked, "The new stealth sphere is already showing great results. What are your next plans? Have you decided when to move towards metamaterials?"

He finished speaking and added, "I saw in your project proposal that the ultimate goal is to create a visually invisible coating material. This requires metamaterials, right?"

Zhang Minghao and Sun Wen did not answer, and their expressions became somewhat strange.

Sun Wen asked in confusion, "Professor Chen, didn't you know? This project has already ended."

"it's over?"

Chen Jianfeng was stunned and immediately stopped in his tracks.

Xue Fengshan asked in confusion, "How did it end? The project has only been going on for a few months?"

Zhang Minghao felt something was off. He was unaware of the complexities of acceptance and management, and said, "We applied for project completion early because we didn't have enough funding. We couldn't continue the research without money."

Chen Jianfeng froze on the spot.

He and Xue Fengshan exchanged a glance, and after a long while, he said, "What's going on with this? We really don't know!"

"What exactly happened? How could your research be suspended due to insufficient funding?"

He couldn't understand.

How could such a great project encounter a problem with insufficient research funding?
The project has only been going on for a few months, how could all the agreed-upon funding have already been used up?
Things are not like they were decades ago. Every year, a large amount of scientific research funding is invested in the field of scientific research. How could key projects lack funding?
Sun Wen immediately said, "We don't know what happened either. The agreed-upon budget was ten million, which would have been eight million after deducting equipment costs, but in the end, the higher authorities only approved four million."

"It's not a lump-sum project yet. We have to budget for all expenses. We need to test a lot of expensive optical materials, and the material costs have already exceeded the budget."

"I don't have the money to buy the materials, so I can only apply for settlement."

She spread her hands, her eyes full of helplessness, and added, "The application has been approved, and a financial audit will be conducted soon."

Chen Jianfeng's face darkened as he listened. He felt something was off the whole time. The other party talked about technology and achievements, but didn't mention future directions or how to continue the next step of research.

Now I understand, the project is settled, there's no future for it!
He couldn't stay any longer and immediately walked quickly outside with the others.

When they reached the main gate of the research institute and were about to get into the car, he turned around and said seriously, "I will definitely report this matter to my superiors!"

"Your project can't stop!"

Zhang Minghao immediately waved his hand and said, "Professor Chen, thank you, I know you mean well, but it's really not necessary."

“We don’t want to continue. It’s pointless. Funding is always being tied up, as if we’re wasting so much national wealth.”

"Forget it, it would be best if we could finish the project smoothly."

……

Chen Jianfeng came with high expectations and happily engaged in technical and academic exchanges.

Finally, he left with a dark expression. The thought that the other party's project had applied for project termination due to insufficient funding, and that the project management had approved it and even sent someone to audit the funds, made him feel extremely embarrassed; he even wanted to crawl into a hole.

The other party was able to chat with him happily and even explained the underlying mathematical logic of the technology in detail, which was really very generous of them.

If they were with another team, they might just give them a cold shoulder and refuse to serve them.

The project is ready to be completed, the results have been reported in detail, and a new type of invisible ball has been specially created for submission. What more do you want?
Despite his anger and embarrassment, the project management was handled by the High-Tech Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and he, as the head of a research group in a research unit under the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, had no right to interfere.

All he could do was complain.

After a long and tiring journey back to the R&D base, Chen Jianfeng didn't waste a minute and went straight to the leader's office.

He said three things: First, Zhang Minghao is a super genius.

Secondly, the project has a bright future, with substantial progress in research and development. I am very optimistic that practical infrared line control coating materials can be developed in the future.

Finally, the project management team underfunded the project, causing it to be completed ahead of schedule.

As soon as the three questions were raised, the base's leaders immediately took them seriously.

Infrared control coating materials are extremely important, as infrared radar detection and evasion is a major area of ​​military technology.

Infrared countermeasures and evasion involve using camouflage equipment to conceal military facilities, weapons, and equipment, making it impossible for the enemy to detect one's own infrared radiation sources.

Current infrared avoidance technology is still quite backward. The basic method is to add a layer to cover the infrared radiation source, but the concealment effect is not very good, and the cost of concealment is also very high, since the heat source can also seep into the outer layer.

If infrared coating materials can be used to completely conceal infrared radiation, the technical implementation of infrared evasion will be greatly simplified.

It can be installed on various military equipment that require infrared evasion.

This type of technology, which originally existed only in imagination, has become a real possibility with the development of metamaterials technology.

However, the problem is that radar stealth materials are easier to develop than infrared stealth materials.

Radar stealth technology already relies on radar-absorbing materials, which are materials that can absorb radar waves. Research on metamaterials can enhance radar absorption in certain directions, and this can be achieved by combining these materials with military weapon design.

Infrared stealth technology is not even a research direction yet.

The base leadership recognized the importance of the research and immediately relayed the message to the next higher level.

Two days later, the new stealth sphere was already in the office of Mr. Zhu, the head of the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation.

Teacher Zhu squatted down, staring at the stand on the table, looking it over from left to right.

"Dong, dong..."

The door rang.

"Enter!"

Teacher Zhu called out without looking up, and a middle-aged man wearing glasses walked in.

"Wang Bo, come and take a look at this!"

Teacher Zhu waved to the middle-aged man, "Something very interesting, the latest technology."

Wang Bo approached, stared at the stand on the table for a long time, and asked with a puzzled look, "You mean this black stand? It looks like it's made of alloy. Is there anything special about it?"

"Hahaha--"

Teacher Zhu burst into laughter, "I didn't realize it either, and neither did you!"

He pointed to the area above the support frame, "There's a ball here."

Wang Bo leaned closer to take a closer look and seemed to see something. He was about to touch it when Teacher Zhu stopped him.

Teacher Zhu took a dust bag from the side, put it on the ball, and the bag immediately formed a spherical shape. She said proudly, "Can you see it clearly now?"

Wang Bo's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

Teacher Zhu asked with a smile, "Now you know why I'm looking for you, right?"

Wang Bo thought about it carefully and then suddenly realized, "You mean you want to ask about the project managed by the High-Tech Division, Zhang Minghao's research on the invisible sphere?"

"Tell me the details," Teacher Zhu said, putting her hands behind her back and sitting down on the sofa.

Wang Bo began, “Last week, they sent us a notice saying that the project was suspended due to force majeure, but I didn’t pay much attention to it at the time.”

He spoke the last sentence very softly, and realized his mistake.

Teacher Zhu said, "You don't need to admit your mistake, and I don't blame you."

"That's normal. With so many projects, there are bound to be some that can't be completed."

This is true for projects in many fields, and indeed for the vast majority of scientific research projects.

The science and technology department supported one hundred projects, half of which will not make direct progress, and most of them will only result in the writing of two second-class papers.

For projects that have made significant progress, a proportion of one or two out of ten is already quite good.

The same applies to the cooperation between CETC and universities. Most projects are planned with a blueprint, but in the end there is no substantial progress. However, it is worthwhile if even one out of ten projects can be transformed into scientific and technological achievements.

Wang Bo is in charge of many projects. If he finds that a project cannot be continued and has to be terminated early, he will naturally not think it's a big deal.

Teacher Zhu continued, "This project is different."

He pointed to the invisible ball on the table. "Look at this, you understand now, right?"

Wang Bo nodded vigorously immediately.

He understood it all too well.

This invisible sphere is completely undetectable, so you can only imagine the kind of technology it contains.

Technically, it is absolutely number one in the world, far surpassing international standards; you can't find it anywhere else in the world.

"How about this!"

Professor Zhu said, "No matter what happened before, this project and this research must continue."

“We will draft another project, still apply for the National Key Research and Development Program, bypass the management of the High-Tech Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and find the Dongchuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology to jointly manage the funds.”

Wang Bo paused for a moment, then asked, "For projects under the key R&D plan, bypassing the High-Tech Division might not be possible..."

"What? What's the problem?"

Teacher Zhu waved her hand dismissively and said, "I'll talk to the finance department. You can go and negotiate without worry!"

"If anyone else has a problem, just tell them to come to me!"

Wang Bo turned to leave, then turned back and asked, "How much is the budget?"

"Go and talk to them!"

Teacher Zhu was getting a little annoyed, and her tone became harsher, "Why are you taking so long to get things done!"

"How will you know how much funding they need if you don't go and talk to them!"

"You're asking me? What's the point of asking me?"

"Is it me who does research? I'd love to have that skill, but I'm sorry, I don't!"

(End of this chapter)