From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 106 A Groundbreaking Discovery! Project Announcement: Right or Wrong, Does It Matter?
Song Kaifeng left, quietly.

It was as if he had come quietly.

In the end, he left with sorrow and heartache, as if his sincere feelings had been given to the wrong person.

Zhang Minghao happily returned to the Applied Electromagnetism Laboratory.

He told Sun Wen that he was 'bragging,' but there was actually a bit of truth to it.

In scientific research, there's never a 100% guarantee.

Any research may get stuck along the way, and technological breakthroughs may be limited by materials, but while not 100%, I am more than 80% confident.

The final deadline was set at two years. If research stalls, there will be enough time to find other solutions, and the chances of completion will be over 90%.

Chinese people value integrity and believe that integrity is fundamental; they strive to do what they say they will do.

As Zhang Minghao walked, he reflected on his performance during the negotiation and couldn't help but give himself a pat on the back. He should continue to do the same when negotiating projects in the future, always speaking in a grander, more expansive way and not always being completely truthful.

If I had said there was an 80% chance of completing the research, the other party might have found a way to start a conversation and then I could have taken the opportunity to lower the price.

Eighteen million, which is much more than expected.

His estimate is 15 million, and he would accept a difference of 1 million or 2 million less, as the funding is already sufficient.

The more funding you negotiate, the more benefits you get. The most direct benefit in experiments is that there are no restrictions on the purchase of materials, allowing you to conduct research freely and also providing more funding to manufacture products like "new types of stealth spheres".

In addition, it can also provide more allowances to project participants.

Everyone receives more allowances, which motivates them to work harder.

By the time Zhang Minghao returned to the Applied Electromagnetism Laboratory, the news had already spread. Zhu Bingkun, Chen Shuai, and others gathered around him, asking, "We heard you just placed an order for an 18 million project?"

"It's true!"

"I just heard what the Institute of Optics and Electronics said. I thought it was fake. Nearly 20 million! It's a pity it's an Institute of Optics and Electronics project..."

"It's not just 18 million, the funding period is only two years, two years is nearly 20 million, that's 10 million a year!"

"How can we possibly spend all this money!"

After a flurry of chatter from those around him, Zhu Bingkun finally sighed and concluded, "To get big projects, you still need a research environment!"

"The Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics is a key institution, and it's much stronger than us."

The laboratory environment is a major limitation, and obtaining permission to study the mechanism of the Zhang phenomenon is already the limit.

This is because they discovered the Zhang phenomenon.

If it were another field, such as research on the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, the higher authorities would never approve it, and even if they did, it would be impossible to carry out.

Zhu Bingkun, Chen Shuai, and others then discussed the new laboratory.

Once the new laboratory is built, the research environment will definitely be much better, and we will also be able to purchase a lot of high-precision equipment.

Construction on the laboratory has now begun.

Zhu Bingkun checks on the progress every day. Although it's only at the foundation stage, he feels like he's building his own house and has to check on every little bit of progress.

Laboratory buildings are one aspect, but cutting-edge equipment is also very important.

The Ministry of Science and Technology, provincial science and technology departments, and schools have all drafted substantial equipment budgets, all for the purchase of new equipment.

The construction of a large new laboratory is a major event for Jiangzhou University and the School of Physics, with far-reaching impacts.

For example, compilation.

The new laboratory is a bonanza for staffing, adding many more research positions and becoming a larger postdoctoral research station.

With more researchers, there are naturally more doctoral students to supervise.

At that time, it can be directly upgraded to a provincial-level scientific research unit.

Zhu Bingkun, Chen Shuai, and others were all quite excited just thinking about it.

Provincial-level research institutions certainly cannot compare to national-level research institutions, but national-level research centers are generally planned and built directly, and receive research support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the provincial government in multiple areas.

The fact that the laboratory has been directly upgraded to the national level, or rather, that a national-level 'Applied Electromagnetism Research Center' has been directly invested in, is not good news.

Their foundation is not solid.

First of all, no one in the laboratory is qualified to serve as the head of a national-level research center.

These types of leaders are usually academicians.

So the applied electromagnetics laboratory has essentially been handed over, which is likely bad news for the original researchers.

Originally a core member of the laboratory, he became a marginal figure after joining a new, large institution, which was no different from simply switching jobs to a larger organization.

The current situation is the best.

Zhang Minghao talked with Zhu Bingkun, Chen Shuai and others for a while, and then asked Xue Kun before he found out that it was in the laboratory.

He wasn't surprised either.

Xue Kun spends most of his time in the laboratory.

"Teacher Xue is used to it, but it must be hard on Ma Yan..."

Zhang Minghao felt sad for Ma Yan just thinking about it. A first-year doctoral student had to repeat the path he had walked, spending most of his time in the laboratory all day long.

Xue Kun is a good mentor. He teaches students to do experiments step by step and he genuinely cares about them.

The problem is, he tried too hard.

He spends every day in the lab with his doctoral students, which must be very tiring.

Zhang Minghao shook his head and, as usual, went to the theoretical research office to discuss research issues with Du Wei and the other two.

Recently, the theoretical group has been working on the framework linking the Zhang phenomenon with the theoretical mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity.

However, progress has been minimal.

If we connect the theoretical mechanisms and related frameworks to form a building, the initial framework is like placing a few upright steel bars.

Looking at just a few steel bars, you'd never guess it's a house.

The current progress is just one or two more steel bars, which is better than nothing. But to build a complete house, more steel bars will definitely be needed, as well as cement and bricks to build the exterior of the house.

Much work still needs to be done in this regard.

Du Wei, Zhao Linwei, and Liu Lei have all worked very hard. Their daily work involves constantly searching for literature and papers, and discussing the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity.

We can look for factors related to the negative permittivity, the properties of nickel/alumina cermet, and the Zhang phenomenon experiment.

Just hearing about this job makes you realize how tedious and boring it is.

The most frustrating thing is that the correlation factors they usually find are meaningless.

Zhang Minghao wouldn't say it directly; he would just listen and take notes, making it seem like there was progress, yet also like nothing had happened, all so as not to dampen anyone's enthusiasm.

For the next few days, Zhang Minghao continued with his usual routine.

I exercise every day, attend a class when I have time, and spend most of my time in the theoretical research office after arriving at the lab.

That afternoon, he went to the theory office as usual, sat down on one side, and saw Liu Lei discussing with Du Wei.

"Brother Du, I think this is also a connection, the process is very similar."

"You call that similarity?"

Du Wei looked as if he had heard something unbelievable, his expression becoming somewhat exaggerated. "You actually managed to connect the problem of β-type charge carriers with the process of nickel forming a metallic network?"

"The principles and mechanisms underlying the nickel-formed metallic network at the particle level are still unclear!" "The states are similar..." Liu Lei's voice weakened considerably.

Zhang Minghao immediately asked with interest, "What's the problem? Tell me, I want to hear it too."

Liu Lei immediately began to speak.

However, his tone was weak, clearly indicating that Du Wei had dampened his confidence.

Liu Lei was referring to a study on how high-temperature superconductivity has manipulated a type of charge carrier. Multiple types of charge carriers exist in high-temperature superconductivity.

β-type is just one of them.

As can be seen from the naming sequence, the β type is the second-ranked charge carrier type, and there are quite a few research papers on it. However, the charge carrier is a complex system, and we still haven't figured out how many types there are.

Liu Lei believes that there is a correlation between β-type charge carriers and nickel forming a metallic network.

As for why...

"It looks very similar, after all, we don't know the specific mechanism by which nickel forms a metal network."

Zhang Minghao listened carefully, then picked up the documents on Liu Lei's desk and looked at them. Suddenly, he said, "That makes sense!"

Du Wei was taken aback.

Zhao Linwei immediately looked over.

Liu Lei asked excitedly, "You think that makes sense too?"

Zhang Minghao nodded vigorously, "I think this discovery is very good, and it may be very crucial."

"The study of β-type charge carriers is quite thorough, but it's hard to say whether it's correct or not; it's all just theory."

"The problem of metal meshes has different interpretations depending on the situation."

"These two phenomena may indeed be related in some way!"

He said 'maybe,' but his tone was very certain.

Du Wei's face was full of confusion; he couldn't understand it at all.

How is this determined?
In fact, he doesn't quite understand the work he's been doing lately.

They searched for literature, read materials, and looked for theoretical connections, but the connections themselves had no discernible pattern. They found one point and then asked Zhang Minghao, whose answer was also vague.

Liu Lei found this so-called 'connection,' and Zhang Minghao actually said it was correct?
Du Wei couldn't understand it at all!

Zhang Minghao carefully reviewed the document again, and then said, "Brother Liu, the connection you found is indeed very important!"

"I think it's very important, and it could be a breakthrough. We'll continue our research along this line, find more information, and supplement its theoretical connections!"

"Our research may make a big breakthrough!"

His tone was not only affirmative, but also carried a hint of joy.

Du Wei still couldn't understand. After struggling with the question for a long time, he finally asked, "Why? What's the significance of this connection...?"

"That's a good question."

Zhang Minghao thought for a moment, then organized his thoughts, "Let me explain it this way."

"If we can thoroughly study this mechanism, we can directly link the mechanism of nickel/aluminum oxide forming a metal mesh with high-temperature superconductivity."

"At that time, we will be able to deduce whether the related compounds or composite materials have high-temperature superconducting properties through theoretical research and studies on the properties of nickel/aluminum oxide."

Du Wei, Liu Lei, and even Zhao Linwei all gaped in astonishment.

Zhao Linwei immediately said, "Doesn't that mean we can know whether a certain material is a high-temperature superconducting material through theoretical research?"

Zhang Minghao corrected, "To be precise, it's only a related part of the material."

Zhao Linwei took a deep breath. "That was groundbreaking!"

Du Wei added, "Even if it's just one kind, just one kind, it's still an unprecedented, major international breakthrough!"

"What are you waiting for? Get to work!" Liu Lei exclaimed excitedly, eagerly looking down at his thesis.

……

Just as the theoretical group was focused on its research, Jiangzhou University and the Provincial Department of Science and Technology jointly released information about the 'Visual Light Sensing Model' project of the Institute of Optics.

The publicly available information specifically mentions that it is a "Key Research and Development Program" project with a total funding of 18 million yuan.

This news spread throughout the domestic scientific research community in a short period of time.

As is well known in the scientific community, key research and development projects are directly under the Ministry of Science and Technology, but the project announced belongs to the Dongchuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and was initiated in Dongchuan Province.

"What's happening here?"

Ying Keqin, director of the Comprehensive Management Office of the High-Tech Division, went directly to Wang Wentong and questioned him, "You were in charge of the 'Visual Light Sensing Model' project at the Institute of Optics, Jiangzhou University, right?"

"This project was settled ahead of schedule, but just a week later, another project was approved, under the joint management of the Dongchuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology. The question is, why wasn't the original project continued?"

“I checked, and the acceptance evaluation from CETC Group was excellent, while our evaluation was ‘very poor’.”

"Contradictory!"

Wang Wentong was stunned by the question. When he saw the project completion application, he found that the force majeure factor was "insufficient funding", so he decided to grant the project completion directly.

When it comes to projects, you can't just make a scene and expect funding, can you?

He believed he had no problems.

Now that the other party's project has been completed, they have a key R&D project, and they have even bypassed the High-Tech Division.
Wang Wentong was completely dumbfounded. He immediately asked, "How did they bypass the High-Tech Division?"

"Does it matter?"

Ying Keqin replied angrily, but still offered an explanation, "I've already inquired, and the Dongchuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology is under collaborative management, collaborative management..."

"That's a great idea, very creative, and most importantly, it was Teacher Zhu who spoke up."

"I called and they told me to contact Teacher Zhu if I had any questions. Can I go to her?"

"This one project has completely humiliated our High-Tech Division!"

Wang Wentong was somewhat embarrassed by the reprimand. He was not Ying Keqin's subordinate, only slightly lower in rank, and had never been reprimanded like this before.

The problem is, his mind was still blank, and he couldn't find the words to refute it.

How do you say this?
Wang Wentong thought for a long time before explaining, "I haven't done anything wrong, have I? They applied to close the project because they said they didn't have enough funding. Did I just approve the funding? How am I supposed to manage the other projects then?"

Ying Keqin laughed in exasperation, "Do you think any of this matters?"

"What's right and wrong, the result is what matters most. This project was personally proposed by Professor Zhu, understand? Professor Zhu was clearly dissatisfied with our management, so he simply found a way to bypass it."

"Furthermore, if you say it's right or wrong, let me find the reasons for you. Why was four million initially approved for equipment and key R&D projects, with a funding of four million?"

Wang Wentong immediately said, "That was a meeting of experts. Academician Fang Yongsheng said..."

Ying Keqin immediately interrupted, "Don't look for reasons from other people; the final decision is yours."

"Even if everyone at the meeting has different opinions, they are only invited to participate in the discussion and are not held responsible. Don't you understand that?"

"Alright, that's enough for now."

He shook his head and sighed, "I didn't come here to scold you, I just wanted to kindly remind you."

"Put all your work aside for now, do nothing, and think carefully about how to get past Teacher Xu!"

　I'm humbly asking for your monthly votes~~~~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)