Building a Sci-Fi Empire: Starting with Cold Nuclear Fusion

Perhaps installing a small Dyson sphere device in a hydrogen bomb would make controlled nuclear fusion easier to achieve than a tokamak device?

Xin Long was slightly taken aback.

Zhang Shulin and Liu Wei looked at each other in bewilderment.

Xiao Wu and the remaining few people all suddenly looked over.

Only Ah Yu didn't quite understand this and didn't react unusually.

The concept of the Dyson sphere was first seen by American physicist Freeman Dyson in his 1959 paper "The Search for an Artificial Star Infrared Source" published in the journal Science.

Freeman Dyson believed that Earth's planetary energy is limited, and that the planets in the solar system only receive about 1/10⁹ of the total solar radiation. Therefore, highly advanced civilizations must build giant structures to intercept stellar radiation in order to meet their long-term development needs.

The structure is envisioned to consist of a constellation of satellites orbiting a star.

Completely envelop the star and collect most or all of its energy output.

Subsequent projects were envisioned to include the construction of colonies and industrial bases.

In short, it means equipping the sun with a giant energy converter and absorber to absorb all or part of the radiation energy released by the sun.

It wouldn't be difficult for humanity to create an energy converter and absorber similar to a Dyson sphere, given our current technological level. However, the sun is so enormous that, setting aside the issue of gravity, the materials alone would be insufficient, even if we dug up two layers of the Earth's surface.

Therefore, the Dyson sphere currently only exists in the realm of imagination and has not yet been realized or used.

While it's impractical to put a Dyson sphere in the sun, what about a hydrogen bomb?

If we build a large energy conversion and absorption device in a certain area and detonate a hydrogen bomb, wouldn't we be able to absorb and convert the energy produced by the explosion?

Theoretically, it seems feasible.

In fact, as soon as Xin Long, Zhang Shulin, Xiao Wu, and others heard it, they immediately knew how many problems the plan had.

First is engineering.

How can such a project be constructed?

The tallest building in the world today is only a little over 800 meters.

When the hydrogen bomb unleashes its immense power, what engineering device can guarantee that it will not trigger geological disasters?

Secondly, the detonation of a hydrogen bomb requires at least several hundred thousand tons of TNT equivalent.

Based on a calculation of 400,000 tons, that is approximately 500 million kilowatt-hours of electrical energy.

Assuming 50% of the thermal energy is utilized, that would yield 2.5 million kilowatt-hours.

Isn't that amazing?

So, what if the Three Gorges Dam generates 90 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually?

This kind of project, which is of an astronomical scale, would only generate the equivalent of the Three Gorges Dam's power generation in a year, even if one hydrogen bomb were dropped every day. It would be a losing proposition.

In addition, there is another very serious problem.

Currently, there are no materials that can withstand such violent impacts stably for an extended period of time.

Furthermore, the energy of a hydrogen bomb is released in a single burst, with an extremely high instantaneous power output. It is simply impossible to have such a large energy storage device, and the power grid cannot absorb it in a short period of time.

Finally, and most importantly, such an absurd proposal is politically unacceptable.

The sound of a hydrogen bomb explosion can travel very far; it can be heard by the human ear from tens of kilometers away, and with a specialized detector, it can be detected at even greater distances.

If your neighbor drops a hydrogen bomb on a power plant today, is it possible that it could fall on your head tomorrow?

If you dare to build such a power plant, how could neighboring countries not have objections?

Overall, the idea is wonderful, as wonderful as writing science fiction.

To put it bluntly, Chen Yuan's proposed solution is not as good as simply laying solar panels in the desert.

Xin Long was so angry he laughed. He thought to himself, "Do you really think nuclear fusion is like writing science fiction? You dare to come up with such an unrealistic plan?"

Zhang Shulin had similar thoughts, his eyes filled with speechlessness.

The remaining Liu Wei, Xiao Wu, and others nearly cursed. If this plan were implemented, wouldn't China be torn apart by its neighboring countries?

The previously lively atmosphere suddenly froze.

Seeing the unusually interesting expressions on everyone's faces, Chen Yuan thought he had gotten them talking and was about to share some technical information to show them that this seemingly unrealistic idea was actually achievable. "You'll all think I'm crazy, putting a hydrogen bomb on someone..."

What does it mean to think you're crazy?

You're fucking crazy!

Xin Long, too lazy to listen any longer, interrupted, "It's a good idea, we'll consider it."

As he spoke, he stood up and looked to the side, "Director Liu, you sign the contract with Xiao Chen first. I suddenly remembered that I have something to take care of, so I'll go ahead."

Liu Wei understood what the other party meant and nodded, saying, "Okay."

Xin Long didn't even glance at Chen Yuan again, and led his men outside.

Several technicians in the crowd also followed Xin Long away.

Zhang Shulin didn't leave, but the look in his eyes as he sat there and looked at Chen Yuan was filled with inexplicable helplessness.

Chen Yuan did not stop Xin Long and the others from leaving, fully aware that the "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere" plan he had just mentioned might have offended Xin Long.

My chances of getting a job at China Nuclear Power are probably very slim.

In fact, if he were allowed to explain the complete plan and technology, Xin Long and the technical staff of Huahe would surely know that the solution is not impossible; on the contrary, it has a high probability of being implemented.

If that's the case, why didn't Chen Yuan stop people and explain properly?

No need!

If you don't have the patience to listen to the end, why should I explain?

Missing out on me is Huahui's loss, not mine!

Chen Yuan believes that as long as enough technical information is revealed, nuclear research institutes will come to him for help.

He had previously considered China Nuclear Industry Corporation (CNNC), but decided against it because the Southwest Institute of Physics, to which CNNC belongs, is the largest nuclear research institute in China.

Afterwards, Liu Wei didn't waste any time and simply followed business as usual, signing an authorization cooperation agreement with Chen Yuan.

Finally, after the contract was signed, Liu Wei stood up and said in a serious tone, "Mr. Chen, we will transfer the initial fees to your account as soon as possible. For the remaining part of the cooperation, we may need your assistance when we start the project. We will contact you then."

He stopped calling him "Little Chen" and instead used the formulaic "Mr. Chen," which shows his disdain.

Chen Yuan didn't take it to heart and simply hummed in agreement, saying, "I'll contact you then."

Liu Wei said "Goodbye" and left with the rest of the people.

As Zhang Shulin was leaving, he hesitated for a moment, but finally reminded him, "Xiao Chen, have you heard of the nuclear explosion boiler concept proposed by the Russian scientists?"

Chen Yuan understood what the other party meant; they were simply saying that a "nuclear explosion boiler" was more realistic than a "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere."

He said, "I've heard of it. Isn't this plan from the Russian scientists just about using liquid metal to absorb heat from a low-yield underground nuclear bomb, and then using that heat to generate electricity?"

Zhang Shulin said meaningfully, "It's good that you heard it. I'll go down and meet up with everyone. I'll contact you again later."

Chen Yuan waved and said, "Okay, goodbye."

Zhang Shulin said "Goodbye," closed the door, and left.

Chen Yuan stood there staring at the closed door for a long time without saying a word.

Just then, Ah Yu's concerned voice came from behind, "Um... Pinecone, I don't know much about nuclear fusion. Did your discussion just fall apart?"

Chen Yuan turned around and saw A Yu's worried expression. He smiled and said, "The negotiations broke down. They don't know what's good for them."

Ah Yu encouraged, "Well, it doesn't matter if they don't recognize its value. I believe your proposed solution can definitely be implemented."

Chen Yuanyuan replied, "I believe it too."

Ah Yu asked, "Now that your negotiations with them have broken down, what are your plans next?"

Chen Yuan stepped forward, took A Yu's hand, and walked towards the sofa, explaining his plan: "Originally, I wanted to give Huahe Nuclear Industry a chance. If they recognized my worth, I would work for them. But now they don't even have the patience to listen to my plan. I think we should disclose some of the technology and let major nuclear research institutes across the country compete for it with open bids."

"Hmm?" Ah Yu was pulled back to sit on the sofa, her eyes wide as she asked, "Have you thought about what you're going to do?"

Chen Yuan picked up his laptop from the side. "Hmm, I've thought it through. I'm going to write a paper and publish it on an authoritative academic paper website."

Ah Yu asked in confusion, "A thesis?"

Chen Yuan said: "Yes, a paper on semi-realized controlled nuclear fusion."

There was one more thing he didn't say: although his upcoming paper wouldn't fully explain how to achieve the "hydrogen bomb Dyson sphere," the technology it revealed would be so advanced that anyone familiar with nuclear fusion would realize the feasibility of the solution.

Chen Yuan knew that this paper might cause a huge stir in the domestic nuclear research industry.

Normally, he would never have done this, but Huahe's attitude forced him to.

Otherwise, how could someone like him, with only a bachelor's degree and no reputation in nuclear research, possibly go to work at a large nuclear research institute to lead a controlled nuclear fusion project and build a cold fusion reactor?

Row!

Then let me give all nuclear researchers in China a bombshell.

A shocking and explosive revelation.

Just like the first atomic bomb that mankind dropped!