After reading the paper all day, it wasn't until Liu Rui's kid started snoring that Lu Zhou climbed into bed and fell asleep with Hatche.

The next day, I woke up early.

I went to the cafeteria to buy two steamed buns, and Lu Zhou came to the laboratory on time.

When he arrived, Senior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Qian were already gathered around the instrument and were busy.

What we need to do today is to draw the FTIR spectrum of each sample through the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and record the absorption peaks of each functional group and chemical bond of the hydration reaction of the carbon nanotube-modified sample at the early age.

“…… Our research aims to enhance the solubility of carbon nanotubes in Portland cement and improve the adhesion between carbon nanotubes and the matrix material. While conducting the experiment, Senior Brother Qian introduced to Lu Zhou, "However, the progress of the research is not optimistic, Professor Li should have told you, we have encountered a bottleneck." ”

Lu Zhou, who was watching from the side, asked, "What is the specific problem?" ”

"Here's the problem, the data we measured through the Fourier transform infrared analyzer, look here," Brother Qian pointed to the FTIR image that had just been printed, and continued, "What do you see?" ”

Resisting the urge to waste points, Lu Zhou stared at the still hot A4 paper for a long time, and suddenly recalled what he learned when he read the paper yesterday, and his heart moved slightly, and sure enough, something was wrong from the drawing.

"Is there an anomaly in the characteristic peak of the No. 2 cement sample?" Lu Zhou said in an uncertain tone.

"Correct, but not accurate," Brother Qian nodded approvingly, pointed out a few places on the FTIR image, and continued, "Sample 2 is a cement sample mixed with CNTs, and according to the results of the mechanical property test, our sample 2 performed quite well in the compressive ability test, but the performance in the tensile ability test was not satisfactory. According to the characteristic peak data at the age of 6-10 h on the FTIR image, we preliminarily concluded that the CNTs material hindered the polymerization process of silicon-oxygen tetrahedron in the C-S-H gel, resulting in the formation of pores in the cement material in the later stage of the hydration reaction. ”

"What's the problem?" Lu Zhou wondered, "I mean...... Now that we know the reason for the poor tensile performance of sample No. 2, we just need to solve it? ”

"It's not as simple as you say," Senior Brother Qian said expressionlessly, "We have tried many methods, including using melamine as a nitrogen precursor, ball grinding carbon nanotubes under vacuum conditions, and functionalizing the surface of carbon nanotubes, regardless of production costs...... But judging from the tensile test data of samples 27 and 28, the results are just as bad. ”

Lu Zhou roughly understood, but he didn't have a better way.

Nodding, he asked, "What do you need me to do?" ”

Senior Brother Qian: "In order to find a solution, we have done many sets of experiments, although the budget is still sufficient, even if we do a few more groups, it is no problem, but a few days ago we learned that the materials science laboratory over there may have made a breakthrough in this project, and we are no longer allowed to continue to drag it out in terms of time." ”

After a pause, Senior Brother Qian sighed and continued.

"We need an expert in mathematics, preferably functional analysis, who can help us analyze the experimental data and see if we can find some valuable clues. It is best to help us find out what is the effect of CNTs on the hydration reaction of Portland cement in the early age...... I've taught myself functional analysis, but I still don't have a clue about these data, and I still have to entrust you experts in mathematics when it comes to such difficult calculations. ”

Just as the undergraduate mathematics department does not offer the course of material physics, the applied physics major does not offer the course of functional analysis. After all, there are a small number of people who get double degrees at the undergraduate level, and most of them selectively study those courses that they have not taken after being admitted to graduate school according to the needs of their own research direction.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhou said seriously: "I can't guarantee that I will succeed, but I can try...... When do you expect results? ”

"The sooner the better, although it's not like I can't wait...... But preferably within three days. Senior Brother Qian thought for a moment and continued, "After three days, whether there is a result or not, I hope you can at least report to me on the progress." ”

Lu Zhou nodded and said, "I'll try my best." ”

After receiving the task from Senior Brother Qian, Lu Zhou went to the library.

Although Senior Brother Liu freed up a desk for him, the laboratory was too deserted, and the learning atmosphere was not strong enough.

In contrast, Lu Zhou still prefers places like libraries.

Sitting in the middle of a group of people who are struggling to write, even if you want to get distracted, you will not be able to resist the sense of urgency and guilt in your heart, and focus on studying.

And most crucially......

Here he can more or less recall a little bit of what it was like to be at a high level of concentration.

Passing by the printing room next to the library, Lu Zhou turned around and went in, and printed all the papers and experimental data he wanted to read on A4 paper.

Spreading everything he needed on the table was his habit of delving into complex mathematical problems.

Anyway, it can be reimbursed as a research fund, and he doesn't need to spend his own money.

After finding a vacant seat in the library and sitting down, Lu Zhou picked up the pen and lightly tapped it on the scratch paper, ready to start writing.

However......

Ten minutes passed.

He sat there in that position, not moving.

emmmm……

Where to start?

Lu Zhou's face was a little unsightly, and he was in trouble.

If there's a fixed formula to work with, or even if there's a clear goal in mind, he's good at where to start. But the current situation is that those scientific research dogs in the Institute of Physics haven't even found the problem, so let him, a person who is engaged in mathematics, help them find bugs.

recalled Senior Brother Qian's words.

It's really a good thing to shake the pot......

Looking at the pile of data, Lu Zhou only felt that his scalp was numb.

At this time, it suddenly dawned on him that this work was not as simple as it seemed.

……

People are iron, and rice is steel.

Even if you are a top student, you have to eat.

Sitting in the library until twelve o'clock, Lu Zhou looked at the untouched scratch paper, secretly said MMP in his heart, threw the pen on the table and got up and walked to the cafeteria.

When he was eating in the cafeteria, Lu Zhou happened to meet Lao Tang, so he walked up with a plate to say hello and sat opposite him.

Glancing at Lu Zhou, Old Tang smiled and asked, "How do you feel?" ”

"It's hard! Much harder than pure math problems. Lu Zhou said with emotion.

"It's just that I think it's difficult," Professor Tang said with a smile, "Mathematics is a scientific research tool, and you are studying applied mathematics, so there will be many opportunities to encounter similar projects in the future." ”

"Professor, can you stop hitting me and give me some ideas?" Lu Zhou sighed.

"I can't give you ideas, you can only find this yourself, but I can give you a little," Professor Tang smiled and continued, "Didn't you participate in a mathematical modeling competition?" Recall how it felt. ”

With a slight frown, Lu Zhou pondered for a while, but quickly shook his head: "It's completely different, the reason why the aerospace problem can be transformed into a mathematical problem in the final analysis is because it is still a matter of particle motion in the final analysis, and it can rely on formulas and ready-made data ......."

"Actually, it's the same." Old Tang shook his head, "Whether it's the movement of the spacecraft, or the movement of particles, or the change of functional groups...... For mathematics, it's essentially the same. Anything that exists has data hidden in the depths that can be mined, laws that can be calculated, and mathematical models can be established. I can't find it, it's just because you haven't put in the work yet. Think more, observe more, and I'm sure you'll be able to spot the clues. ”

After listening to Professor Tang's words, a thoughtful expression appeared on Lu Zhou's face.

Looking at Lu Zhou, who was deep in thought, with a smile, Old Tang nodded in his heart.

The children can be taught.