From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 105 Zhang Minghao, different! What a load of rubbish, he doesn't need to pay taxes...

Institute of Micro-Nano Optics.

The settlement of the 'Visual Light Sensing Model' project is in its final stages—financial audit.

The project falls under the 'National Key Research and Development Program,' and projects under this program are funded by the national fiscal budget.

The project funding is provided by the finance department, and the financial audit is also conducted by personnel dispatched by the finance department.

Two people came: team leader Zhang Ying and deputy Yuan Zhihao.

After reviewing the details of the project's funding usage, they would visit the site to inspect the purchased equipment and materials to prevent any falsification of funding usage or misappropriation of funds.

Zhang Ying and Yuan Zhihao went into the research institute and first went to see the newly purchased equipment.

The two newly purchased pieces of equipment are brand new, have only been used a few times, and have all the necessary paperwork, so there are no problems.

Afterwards, with Sun Wen's introduction, they learned what materials they had purchased, and later went to the laboratory to take a look, and then they noticed the invisible sphere.

Zhang Ying and Yuan Zhihao stared at the new stealth sphere for a long time, marveling repeatedly, "It really is invisible!"

"This is the new type of stealth sphere?"

"I've only seen reports about it online, I didn't expect to see it here, is it the second generation?"

"You can't see anything through the glass frame..."

The two of them were looking at the invisible sphere together, and it felt more like they were visiting a laboratory than conducting a financial audit of a failed project.

After studying the invisible sphere for a long time, Zhang Ying and Yuan Zhihao left the laboratory and confirmed that the financial audit was fine.

They were also preparing to leave.

Before leaving, Zhang Ying said a few words about the project, "Your project is very strange."

“Before we came here, we saw that the evaluations from the project management team and the results acceptance team were completely opposite.”

"One is the worst, and the other is the best. They are completely opposite and their evaluations conflict. This kind of situation would not normally occur."

"I just took a look, and now I understand why the inspectors gave it such high praise. Your invisible sphere is truly high-tech!"

"The inspection team gave such a high evaluation, so the finances are definitely fine. As for the management, we don't know..."

After she finished speaking, she got into the car and left.

Tan Yanming, Sun Wen, and Zhang Minghao watched as the car disappeared around the corner.

Sun Wen's expression was complicated.

Actually, she still wanted to continue working on the project. The feeling of having ample funding and being able to keep doing experiments was wonderful. As for having half of her funding cut off...

In her view, these were all trivial matters, better than having no funding at all!
But there was nothing she could do but support Zhang Minghao's insistence.

Zhang Minghao felt a sense of relief.

Once the financial review is completed and the finance department approves the project, the project is completely finished.

It was as if the 'cage' that had been holding back the research had disappeared.

Tan Yanming just felt it was a pity that a project worth millions had slipped away so quickly.

He sighed deeply and looked at the two of them, saying, "That's it, the project is gone."

Then, he asked with a hint of doubt, "I originally thought that once the new stealth sphere was submitted as a result, the project wouldn't end directly, and the higher authorities would continue to allocate funds."

"The higher authorities said that if it's the first batch of funding, then the second batch can also be allocated..."

He was a little confused.

The new type of stealth sphere is so invisible that it cannot even be seen. The acceptance team gave it the highest rating, so why would they allow the project to be completed?

That doesn't make sense!

Tan Yanming pondered it carefully, but finally shook his head.

He didn't understand the situation either. He was an academician and the dean of the School of Physics, with many connections and channels, but a key research and development project related to military technology involved multiple departments.

Only those people in those departments know the specifics.

"The project is finished, that's great."

Zhang Minghao laughed with a relaxed expression, "I knew it wouldn't be enough with only four million in the first batch of funding."

"At first, I thought I would just do it reluctantly, but later I really couldn't stand it anymore. We're not trying to scam funding; we're genuinely conducting experiments and doing technological research and development."

"What's the big deal about cutting half the funding?"

"If we're going to discuss projects again, the minimum is 15 million. We need to get enough funding first before we can really get the research done!"

Sun Wen's eyes lit up as she listened, but then, remembering that the project was no longer possible, her expression dimmed.

Just as Tan Yanming was about to say something, his phone suddenly rang. He went to the side to answer the call, and returned shortly afterward with a strange expression.

"I was just wondering why the project was completed so smoothly, and now I know."

He looked at Zhang Minghao as he spoke, "An opportunity starting at fifteen million has arrived."

"How to say?"

Sun Wen asked impatiently.

Tan Yanming said, "Director Song from the Provincial Department of Science and Technology has come, along with representatives from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC). It's a team."

"It's obvious they're here to discuss projects."

……

An hour later, the Institute of Optics received a large group of people.

Song Kaifeng, head of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology, led the way, with Wang Bo from the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) beside him. Everyone else addressed Wang Bo as "Director".

He was followed by more than a dozen officials and experts, including Professor Wang Zhigang from the Institute of Science and Technology.

When Song Kaifeng arrived at the entrance of the Institute of Optics, he shook hands with Tan Yanming and said bluntly, "I'm here today to discuss Zhang Minghao and Professor Sun Wen's invisible sphere project."

"Is the project's financial audit finished? We're just in time to get things back on track. Zhang Minghao, no, Professor Zhang's research project absolutely cannot be interrupted!"

Song Kaifeng said with a big smile, "They arrived right on time."

The completion of the financial audit means that the previous project has officially ended, and they are now coming to discuss the new project.

This new project was like a windfall for the Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

The higher-level department leadership drafted a project under the National Key Research and Development Program. Projects under the Key Research and Development Program are managed by various departments and bureaus under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Now, the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) has approached us, wanting the Provincial Department of Science and Technology to coordinate management.

At first, Song Kaifeng did not understand what collaborative management was.

It was only after the other party explained that I understood. The China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) was nominally directly connected with the Optical Research Institute, but the Provincial Department of Science and Technology was conducting "local management," which meant that the project was directly assigned to the Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

As for 'coordination'...

This term was invented specifically to circumvent the High-Tech Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

If we're not talking about collaboration, but just management, key science and technology development projects fall under the management of the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Collaborative management is essentially an auxiliary function; nominally, it can be said that the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) and the project team are directly connected.

In fact, the project was initiated in Dongchuan Province, and it was also under the jurisdiction and management of the Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

"Collaborative management, what a great term!"

"I wonder who invented it. Chinese culture is truly profound and extensive..."

Song Kaifeng was overjoyed. Who would refuse multiple national key research and development projects from the province?
The core of the project team is still the 'genius doctoral student' Zhang Minghao.

"No, you should call me Professor Zhang now!" Song Kaifeng shook hands with Zhang Minghao with a joyful expression.

Zhang Minghao never expected the new project to come so quickly. He pulled Song Kaifeng aside for a chat before he understood the situation.

The group went to the conference room.

Wang Bo led the team to discuss the project. Song Kaifeng represented the Provincial Department of Science and Technology and was also the project manager, belonging to the same "client" camp as Wang Bo.

In any field, the client who pays the money always hopes to lower the price.

Public matters are public matters, and private matters are private matters. When it comes to the project negotiation stage, there is no room for personal relationships.

Wang Bo led a team, which included several experts and scholars.

They did a lot of research beforehand, including the situation of previous projects, the stealth sphere technology, and even talked with Chen Jianfeng from the 32nd Research Institute.

Wang Bo also understood why the project was receiving so much attention.

The 'visual invisibility' effect of the invisible sphere is very impressive, and its research prospects are very broad.

The project is definitely good, but the funding needs to be discussed carefully. We can't just give whatever amount the other party asks for.

Negotiations begin with asking technical questions.

Wang Bo was well-prepared for this, and he immediately asked, "The ultimate goal of your previous project was to develop a visually invisible coating material."

"From what I understand, this should be a kind of metamaterial."

"But you are still at the level of building visual invisibility with particulate optical materials, so I would like to ask when you started to study metamaterials?" Zhang Minghao and Sun Wen stood and sat directly opposite Wang Bo.

When Wang Bo asked the question, everyone in the conference room immediately noticed Zhang Minghao, including Sun Wen, because only Zhang Minghao could answer the question.

Zhang Minghao laughed and said, "Director Wang, you're not an expert on this topic."

The others were stunned for a moment.

Zhang Minghao continued, "Actually, what we've created is already a metamaterial, a very standard optical metamaterial."

He looked around and explained, "Director Wang, you might not understand what metamaterials are if you don't do this kind of research."

"Metamaterials, by definition, can be considered as materials that possess extremely special physical properties that cannot be found in conventional materials."

"The stealth spheres we manufacture have a fixed refractive index due to the arrangement of material particles. When combined, they can effectively control scattering and refraction. Obviously, these are features that conventional materials do not possess. This is why the new stealth spheres are virtually invisible."

"Our research relies on the design of particulate material combinations."

"The most important aspects of metamaterials research are design and manufacturing, and we have already completed the design and basic manufacturing."

After he finished speaking, he nodded to Wang Zhigang and continued, "If it's metamaterials as you understand them, which means making the material very thin and directly possessing these properties, you can consult Professor Wang Zhigang."

"Professor Wang is researching metamaterial thin film compilation technology. Perhaps he can compile and manufacture specialized metamaterials based on our designs..."

Everyone in the conference room immediately noticed Wang Zhigang.

Wang Zhigang came with Wang Bo.

As a scholar representative among the 'Party A' members, he also wanted to find some problems in Zhang Minghao's answer, but when it came to his own expertise, he could only nod and say, "I don't understand the new type of stealth sphere, but if it is still a combination of particulate materials, it is indeed possible to use metamaterial compilation technology to create thin film materials."

"If you add several layers, you can even enhance the effect."

"However, this will be a research project, and it is only theoretically possible; it cannot be done in a short period of time."

The others immediately started discussing it.

Everyone talks about metamaterials, but what exactly are metamaterials?

With Zhang Minghao's explanation and Wang Zhigang's confirmation, they gained a general understanding of metamaterials.

Wang Bo nodded in agreement.

Another official immediately asked, "Your new stealth sphere is indeed very good, and the reviews are very high, but it has little practical value."

"Your goal is to create a visual invisibility coating, but we value infrared radiation control technology more..."

Zhang Minghao immediately replied, "They sound different, but they are based on the same principle. The only difference is..."

The discussions in the conference room continued without pause. Several people asked questions, and Zhang Minghao answered them all methodically, creating a scene reminiscent of a heated debate among scholars.

Tan Yanming and Wang Qingxin sat to one side, watching quietly.

Wang Qingxin said in a low voice with admiration, "Zhang Minghao is only in his twenties, yet he handles this kind of situation with ease and can answer any question the other party asks."

"Look, no one else can get a word in edgewise; they can only nod in agreement."

"That eloquence..."

"What eloquence?" Tan Yanming corrected, "That's called confidence!"

"He is confident in his research, so he speaks with confidence and is not afraid of anything. Anyone who has achieved such results and has his abilities can be confident."

Wang Qingxin thought about it and realized it made sense.

The new stealth sphere is completely invisible; it's absolutely a cutting-edge technological product.

If Zhang Minghao can design and research something, what can the other party possibly say to stump him?

The question-and-answer session at the meeting lasted for some time.

Wang Bo realized that Zhang Minghao couldn't stump him no matter what he asked, and none of the questions he had prepared were of any use, which made him feel frustrated.

They weren't trying to make things difficult for anyone, but rather to find problems so that they could have room to negotiate the project funding later.

Otherwise, if the other party makes an exorbitant demand, are we just going to agree to it?
The client is really having a tough time.

Wang Bo took a deep breath and asked the last question, "How long do you expect it to take to reach your goal? That is, to design and manufacture the stealth coating material?"

"If there are no restrictions on the use of funds, experiments can continue indefinitely, for a year!"

Zhang Minghao said seriously, "One year is enough for us to complete the design, but if you want to talk about manufacturing the thin film coating material, you have to go to the Institute of Science and Technology. We don't have that technology."

"hiss--"

The others gasped in shock.

Zhang Minghao's subsequent words were not unexpected: only the Institute of Science and Technology of China possesses metamaterials compilation technology; it is impossible for them to develop related technologies from scratch.

Their research only completed the design of metamaterials.

But it's enough.

"One year?"

Wang Bo was a little confused. The other party said it could be completed in a year. Should he believe it or not?
Believe it, then take the money!
If you don't believe it, how can you refute it?
Wang Bo and Zhang Minghao stared at each other. He felt utterly defeated, because deep down he was starting to believe it.

How can we even discuss funding now?
He simply asked directly, "We don't need a year, two years is fine. How much funding do you need?"

Everyone immediately turned to look at Zhang Minghao.

Zhang Minghao held up two fingers, and without even saying a word, everyone knew the amount: "Twenty million. One or two years is fine, as long as there are no restrictions on how the funds are used."

"We need to conduct a lot of experiments and accumulate enough data..."

……

Wang Bo has lost, utterly lost.

Although the final negotiations yielded a slight improvement in funding, managing to cut two million, the total budget of eighteen million still far exceeded expectations.

This isn't about money.

Key R&D projects are funded by the finance department and do not require them to pay the funds directly, but the funds negotiated and the final R&D results are linked to their work performance.

If the project goes very smoothly, the R&D goals can be achieved within two years, and the project will bring excellent results.

Otherwise, if 18 million goes down the drain, the performance will naturally be poor.

The same applies to the Provincial Department of Science and Technology; if the approved technology research and development projects achieve many successful commercializations, their performance will naturally be excellent.

Conversely, if a large number of technology research and development projects are approved, but the results are never seen or realized, there is no performance to speak of.

Wang Bo left the Institute of Optics with a sense of defeat.

Song Kaifeng, on the other hand, was beaming with joy. Noticing Wang Bo's expression, he leaned closer and said, "Director Wang, you don't need to do that."

“Look at me, I don’t care at all. This project is also directly related to our provincial science and technology department.”

Wang Bo turned to look at Song Kaifeng.

Song Kaifeng continued, "Don't worry about funding. Even if it were 30 or 40 million, let alone 10 million, wouldn't it be worth it to make this material?"

“That’s true,” Wang Bo nodded. “This kind of material is worth a hundred million, but I’m just afraid…”

"Zhang Minghao is different!"

Song Kaifeng patted his chest and said, "I know Zhang Minghao very well. He is a super genius who keeps creating miracles in research."

To sum it up in one sentence: I mean what I say!

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems. Just wait for the good news about the project!"

Wang Bo felt a little relieved.

He got into the car and left with the rest of the team.

After seeing Wang Bo off, Song Kaifeng quietly returned to the Institute of Optics, wanting to discuss the project with Zhang Minghao, Tan Yanming, and others.

As they entered the office on the first floor, Sun Wen asked uncertainly, "Can we really develop a visual invisibility coating material within a year?"

Song Kaifeng immediately stopped and leaned closer, then heard Zhang Minghao's voice, "You're bragging!"

"Bragging doesn't cost anything! It wasn't even written into the contract, and they're demanding compensation if they can't figure it out!"

“There’s no such thing as 100% certainty in research. Look at other teams applying for projects, they all start by making grand claims, talking about the research prospects, making a PPT, and making it sound so real, but most of them end up being rushed.”

"If they hadn't made a big promise, would they have so easily agreed to give 18 million?"

Sun Wen was greatly shocked upon hearing this and immediately offered her full support, "So that's how it is!"

"That makes sense, absolutely makes sense!"

"The priority is to get the funding. With such a large sum of money, we can do the experiments however we want!"

Outside.

Song Kaifeng clutched his heart, feeling a little short of breath.

He suddenly became even more worried than Wang Bo.

(End of this chapter)