Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

"Hmm? This scanning electron microscope is quite good!"

Lu Yongchang's voice came from ahead: "This should be the latest model, right?"

Fang Xu suddenly looked up at Lü Yongchang.

"Huh? Is this Fourier transform infrared spectrometer new too?"

"besides……"

"Not bad, not bad... I misspoke earlier. I didn't expect there to be some good stuff in this lab!"

A hint of surprise appeared in Fang Xu's eyes.

You got the name of every instrument right!

Even the newest machines, Lü Yongchang accurately named.

"...Do you recognize these instruments?" Fang Xu hesitated for a moment before asking.

Lu Yongchang gave Fang Xu a strange look: "Of course I know him."

"If I don't even recognize the equipment, what am I doing here?"

Fang Xu's breath hitched.

That makes so much sense, he couldn't even refute it!

But... isn't this just too illogical?!

The equipment in this lab is so advanced that even most graduate students probably wouldn't recognize it, let alone undergraduates!

How did Lü Yongchang, a sophomore undergraduate, recognize him?!

Seemingly noticing Fang Xu's confusion, Lü Yongchang chuckled and explained, "I've read quite a few papers, so naturally I understand these devices."

Fang Xu's expression was somewhat strange.

But... at least it's a plausible explanation.

"Yongchang, let me ask you a very important question first."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Fang Xu's eyes: "Are you really sure you know how to use these instruments?"

"Or rather, have you ever used these instruments?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Lü Yongchang shook his head.

"Of course I've never used it! Academician Fang, I'm just a sophomore undergraduate student, how could I possibly have access to such high-end equipment?"

Fang Xu immediately panicked!

"Then why did you tell Minister Hong..."

Lu Yongchang interrupted Fang Xu with a smile, "However, I know how to use these instruments, so don't worry!"

As he spoke, Lü Yongchang turned to look at a piece of equipment beside him and began to explain its detailed usage process.

Listening to Lü Yongchang's flawless usage instructions, Fang Xu stood there dumbfounded.

After a long silence, he finally managed to ask, "This...you learned this from reading academic papers?"

Lü Yongchang nodded and cast a strange look at Fang Xu: "Of course! What else?"

Fang Xu: "..."

He took a deep breath and then rubbed his stiff face hard.

Ok!

Perhaps there really are geniuses in the world!

"When do we start?"

Fang Xu chose to change the subject.

Lu Yongchang glanced at the researchers in white lab coats waiting at the lab entrance, and raised an eyebrow slightly: "Now!"

……

Watching Lü Yongchang's smooth and eloquent explanation, Fang Xu fell silent once again.

"This...you learned this from your thesis too?"

"Didn't you say you hadn't touched the lab equipment?"

Fang Xu looked at Lü Yongchang in front of him with a look of utter frustration.

In just half an hour, Lü Yongchang had already operated three instruments in succession.

In Fang Xu's original imagination, Lü Yongchang should have been a pure "theoretical worker".

In other words, Lü Yongchang would make many mistakes in actual operation.

This situation is very common.

After all, there is an enormous gap between theory and practice.

In materials science, even a small operational error can lead to drastically different final results!

Fang Xu was even prepared to "clean up" Lü Yongchang's mess!

but!

The events of the past half hour have completely shattered Fang Xu's worldview!

Lu Yongchang's series of actions were as smooth as those of a seasoned veteran who had spent a lot of time in the laboratory!

Not only were there no mistakes, but they even noticed many key points that Fang Xu had not paid attention to!

"Yes, I have never touched any experimental equipment in my life."

Lu Yongchang said casually with a faint smile on his lips.

That's right!

These so-called latest experimental equipment are things he already used in his previous life!

Fang Xu looked like he'd just eaten shit: "Then you..."

"Academician Fang, sometimes, talent is still very important!"

As he spoke, Lü Yongchang reached out and gently patted Fang Xu's shoulder: "You know what I mean, right?"

Fang Xu: "..."

After finally overcoming his initial shock, Fang Xu asked Lü Yongchang with some curiosity, "Why did you choose carbon nanomaterials to achieve room-temperature superconductivity?"

Upon hearing Fang Xu's question, Lü Yongchang slowly stopped his work and said softly, "When two layers of parallel graphene are stacked at an angle of about 1.1°, a superconducting effect will be produced."

Fang Xu's pupils contracted slightly.

"Is...is this real?"

Lu Yongchang said with a smile, "You can give it a try. Aren't there plenty of spare instruments around here?"

A few hours later.

"Oh my god...it's really true!"

Fang Xu stared in shock at the instrument screen in front of him.

"Yongchang, how did you discover this phenomenon?"

As Lü Yongchang bent down to operate the equipment on the lab bench, he said softly, "I calculated it; I've never seen the actual scenario."

Fang Xu was speechless: "You dare to say that if you've never even seen it?"

"But what if we're wrong?"

"Doesn't this mean total defeat?!"

"There's no mistake!" Lü Yongchang straightened up, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "I have faith in myself!"

Fang Xu: "..."

For some reason, ever since he met Lü Yongchang, Fang Xu felt that he was speechless for much longer!

……

three days later.

Lü Yongchang and Fang Xu stared intently at the display screen of the scanning electron microscope.

On the screen, there was a cylindrical object!

"Yongchang, is this what you called carbon nanotubes?"

Are you sure this carbon nanotube can achieve room-temperature superconductivity?

Fang Xu's face was full of doubt.

It's no wonder he was suspicious, since he hadn't done much in those three days.

Aside from assisting with tasks and running errands, Lü Yongchang handled all the truly important operations on his own!

As an academician who has led a team for many years, I must say this is an extremely novel experience!

Faced with Fang Xu's questioning, Lü Yongchang remained silent, but instead solemnly manipulated the microscope, changing the observation angle several times.

Only after seeing the standard nanotube structure on the screen did Lü Yongchang finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"That's it, that's it!"

After saying that, Lü Yongchang estimated the time and a hint of regret appeared in his eyes.

"What a pity, at the current production speed, we won't see results until at least tomorrow!"

Fang Xu glanced at Lü Yongchang's regretful profile with a strange expression.

Is that a pity?

Producing a room-temperature superconducting experimental sample in four days—isn't that fast enough?!

It's important to know that the time it takes for any new material to be developed is measured in years!