Industry began in 1937

With the food in his stomach, combined with fatigue and fullness, Chen Yuan was unwilling to move.

At this point, he couldn't help but think that charging like this was still too slow, and he needed to find a way to improve the efficiency.

The kinetic energy conversion rate of 9.7% is quite comical.

It's fair to say that he wasted 90% of his energy.

That won't do.

Although he had never done related work, he had heard of things like heat conversion rate.

That's not several tens of percent.

Only 9.7%? Are you kidding me?

He needs to ask the flint platform how to improve the conversion rate; he can't just work blindly like that silly kid.

We still have 0.83 units of electrical energy left. Let's make full use of this energy and see what else we can do with it.

With that thought in mind, he put his hand on the flint platform's sensor screen again.

"Firework, search for solutions to improve the energy conversion and input efficiency of current human-powered power generation units. Assess feasibility and required conditions."

The light screen struggled to illuminate, seemingly sparingly using its precious energy:

[Analysis in progress... The current human-powered power generation unit is the most basic type; optimization directions are as follows:]

1. Replace the belt drive with a gear drive (increasing transmission efficiency by approximately 15%). This requires manufacturing a standard gear set, with an estimated energy consumption of 1.5%, requiring 2 kg of medium carbon steel and 0.1 kg of copper.

2.升级发电核心：製造高效率永磁体与优化绕组（提升发电效率约20-30%）。需高性能磁钢或更多高纯度铜线，预估能耗1.8%-2.2%，材料需求高且部分稀有。

3. Improved power input: Increase flywheel mass/optimize weight distribution for more effortless and balanced pedaling. Requires approximately 10 kg of additional cast iron, with an estimated energy consumption of 0.5%.

4. Multiple units in parallel: Add parallel human-powered generators to directly double the input power. This requires replicating the current entire system, doubling the materials and energy consumption.

[Conclusion]: All optimization schemes require additional materials and significant energy input, and some materials (high-performance magnets, large amounts of copper wire) are currently unavailable.

After analyzing the situation, Chen Yuan concluded that only option 3 was feasible.

He really didn't want to generate electricity so inefficiently anymore.

However, he did not understand why standard gear sets were manufactured, with an estimated energy consumption of 1.5%.

Standard gear sets require medium carbon steel and precision machining, which are energy-intensive in smelting and processing.

Seeing this, Chen Yuan understood a little. This dark factory was powerful, but everything required materials and electricity.

"Then let's go with option 3, adding a flywheel counterweight, which requires 10 kilograms of steel and consumes 0.5% more energy..." Chen Yuan quickly calculated in his head. He currently had more than 11 kilograms of steel to spare, which was more than enough.

With an energy consumption of 0.5%, his existing 0.83% energy is sufficient to cover expenses, leaving 0.33% as a reserve.

There is enough steel left over.

With a clear goal and the necessary conditions met, he no longer hesitated.

"Flint, execute Plan 3 optimization: manufacture flywheel counterweight components. Input 10 kg of the specified steel material, energy consumption 0.5%." He gave the order decisively, his heart beating slightly faster with anticipation.

[Command confirmed. Manufacturing of flywheel counterweight optimization components has commenced. Estimated time: 1 hour and 10 minutes.]

While waiting, Chen Yuan moved his aching legs and treated his foot injury, which was still stinging.

He stared at the quietly running machine, thinking to himself: after optimizing the flywheel, pedaling would be less strenuous, and then he could use the saved energy and time to quickly accumulate 1.5% of the energy to upgrade the gear transmission.

Take it one step at a time and improve efficiency.

Manufacturing was completed on time.

Taking advantage of this time, Chen Yuan dozed off for a while.

As the beep sounded, the discharge port ejected a pair of heavy, curved cast iron counterweights with precise mounting slots, along with several extended connecting bolts.

Following the simple diagram on the light screen, Chen Yuan carefully used the included wrench to symmetrically install the pair of counterweights onto both sides of the original flywheel.

Once installed, the weight of the entire flywheel has more than doubled, making it look heavier and more imposing, exuding a sense of steady power.

He tried to gently turn the flywheel with his hand.

It felt heavier when starting up, but once it started turning, the sense of stability and continuity brought by the inertia was stronger, and the buzzing low sound was also a bit deeper.

He sat on it and tried to step on it.

It felt completely different!

Although the force required to start each revolution increases slightly, the huge inertia of the flywheel makes it easier to maintain the pedaling rhythm, saving a lot of the effort required to "fine-tune" the speed, making the pedaling process smoother and more worry-free.

The most noticeable effect is that the rate at which fatigue accumulates in the legs has slowed down significantly, and breathing has become more even than before.

"Great! Immediate results!" Chen Yuan's spirits lifted.

He maintained the new rhythm for about half an hour. Although he was still tired, he felt at least 20-30% more relaxed than before.

This means he can last longer, or generate more electricity with the same amount of physical effort.

He glanced at the platform's energy level, which was now at 0.33% due to the previous creation. Although it had run out of energy again, with the optimized flywheel, his confidence and efficiency in accumulating energy would improve.

"Keep going! Goal: save up 1.5% and change gears!" He encouraged himself and started a new round of stomping.

With a clear goal and improved physical sensations, although still monotonous and tiring, there is now more hope in my heart.

The effects of optimization gradually become apparent as energy continues to accumulate.

By evening, although his back was soaked with sweat again and his legs felt like lead, he actually managed to push his energy level up from 0.33% to 1.05%.

We are 0.45% away from the 1.5% target.

He felt his energy was almost depleted, but seeing hope ahead, he gritted his teeth and decided to work through the night to at least push his energy to above 1.2% so that he could start gear manufacturing first thing tomorrow morning.

Just as he was about to make plans by the starlight, while munching on a mushy porridge of mixed grains cooked in a new pot, he heard light footsteps and a familiar cough coming from the mountain path.

"Young Chen? Is that you?" Old Han's voice came as he walked over, carrying a bulging bundle in his hands.

"Uncle Han? What brings you here? Come and sit down." Chen Yuan quickly got up and, by the light of the embers of the still-burning stove fire, saw that what Uncle Han was holding in his arms was the quilt he had been longing for! Although it looked bulging and patched upon patched, it was thick and looked warm.

"I waited for you at home all day, but you didn't come to pick it up. I figured you might have been too busy to remember, and since it's getting cold and you need this stuff urgently, I brought it to you." Old Han handed over the bundle.

"As you said, it was made from old cotton and scraps of cloth, collected from several families in the village. Your aunt and a few other women sewed it together in a rush. It's thick and sturdy, guaranteed to keep you warm."

Chen Yuan took it; it felt heavy and soft in his hand, and a scent of sunshine and old cloth wafted out.

He choked up, almost unable to speak. "Uncle Han... this, this is too much trouble for you and Auntie, making you come all this way... I, I was planning to pick it up tomorrow."

"It's no trouble at all, just a quick favor." Old Han waved his hand, glanced at the massive "Flint" platform, its outline faintly visible in the night, and the machine still whirring, a complex look flashing in his eyes, but he didn't ask any further questions, only saying, "Are you going to other villages tomorrow? If so, I'll show you the way."

"I'll go! I'll definitely go!" Chen Yuan nodded quickly and carefully placed the bundle on the dry stone.

Let him see it if he wants to!

He has not revealed any of this to outsiders.

"Uncle Han, we still have to go. I'll have to trouble you again tomorrow."

Although the power generation problem has been solved, the food problem remains unsolved, and he must continue his efforts.

This time he considered changing the oil and salt, because eating only mixed noodles wasn't filling and left his mouth tasteless.

"Okay, I'll come find you again tomorrow morning." Old Han said readily. "It's getting late, and the mountain roads are difficult to travel, so I have to go back. Take care of yourself."

After seeing Old Man Han off, Chen Yuan couldn't wait to open the bundle.

Inside were two quilts, one thick and one thin. Although the fabric was rough and tattered, the filling was generous and the stitching was fine.

There was also a thick mattress.

With these, sleeping in the cave at night will be much more comfortable.

He carefully rolled up his bedding and placed it in the driest corner of the cave.

Then, I glanced at the energy level: 1.05%. Still a little short.

He took a deep breath and sat back down on the machine.

With the anticipation of new bedding and the warmth brought by Uncle Han, the soreness in my legs seemed to lessen somewhat.

The flywheel turned steadily in the night, the belt making a regular sound.