Far across the Atlantic, in Germany, in a crystal chemistry class at the University of Munich.

In a rare move, Professor Gerhard Ettel did not abandon the task of teaching to his teaching assistants, but stood in the classroom himself to explain the mysteries of crystal chemistry to these young students.

For a Nobel Prize-level scholar, this kind of teaching and educating people seems a bit condescending. In fact, however, many well-known scholars enjoyed sharing their knowledge with their younger students.

The same is true for Professor Ettel, especially when he is struggling with a complex issue.

Engaging in basic education always inspires him at critical moments.

At the end of the class, a student suddenly raised his hand and asked.

"Professor, have you read the paper on the theoretical model of the electrochemical structural interface that was recently published in JACS?"

Professor Ettel paused for about two seconds, pushed his reading glasses, and nodded.

"Yes, is there any problem?"

The student looked at him expectantly and asked, "Is it right?" ”

Ettel thought for a moment, and said in a casual tone, "My child, out of scientific rigor, I can't answer this question for the time being. ”

However, the student did not seem to be satisfied with this vague answer, and changed the question, breaking the casserole and continuing: "What if it is correct?" ”

"There are no ifs and ifs in science, but if you have to ask......"

Professor Ettel frowned, seemingly reluctant to comment on the topic, but eventually he craned his eyebrows and said in a light-hearted tone, "If it's right, it means new chemistry." ”

There was an incredible scream in the classroom.

New Chemistry!

What a shocking statement!

If someone else had said this, the people here might not have taken it seriously at all. But it was Professor Eitel who said this, winner of the Nobel Prize in '07 and an expert in the field of solid surface chemistry!

In addition to his status as a professor at the University of Munich, he is also the director of the Fritz Haber Institute (Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry) of the Max Planck Society in Germany.

Who else has a bigger say in the field of electrochemistry?

Seeing the students' reactions, Professor Ettel smiled.

"I'm glad to see that you're optimistic about the birth of a new theory. You are right, we can only progress if we are constantly accepting new things. ”

"But while you're curious about new things, I want you to always remember to look at every conclusion we come up with rigor."

"It's responsible for science."

With that, Ettel tapped the lectern lightly with the lesson plan.

"I'll ask the teaching assistant to send the homework to your mailbox, now, after class."

After leaving the classroom, Professor Ettel did not go straight back to his office, but got in his car and rushed to the Max Planck Institute's Fritz Haber Institute in Berlin.

The recent paper published in JACS has caused widespread controversy in the chemistry community. As one of the world's leading academic research institutions, Max Planck has an obligation to take a stand on this paper.

Of course, this kind of statement is not just a matter of casually expressing an opinion and taking sides.

Considering the importance of this theoretical model for the study of electrochemical interface structure, the Max Planck Society has set up an interdisciplinary research group to gather leading scholars in the fields of mathematics, chemistry, and condensed matter physics to discuss this theoretical model.

As a member of the research group and director of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Ettel's opinion also represents the opinion of the Max Planck Institute of Physical Chemistry.

It is precisely for this reason that he is particularly cautious when dealing with this subject.

Walking into the conference room, he saw that Faltins was already seated, a paper printed out of paper in his hand, scrutinizing it.

Strictly speaking, this big guy is an expert in the field of algebraic geometry and arithmetic geometry, and functional analysis is not his research direction. However, as a leading figure in the field of number theory, cross-directional research is not uncommon for him.

At the same time, as one of the most influential mathematicians since Grothendieck, and director of the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics,

Otherwise, he would not have become the director of the Max Planck Institute of Mathematics.

It's just that this arrogant old Germanic man had this temper when he was in Princeton, and after returning to his hometown in Germany, not only did not change, but intensified.

As if he had deliberately said it to Etter, Faltins said slowly.

"Only second-rate mathematicians would be interested in how mathematics can be applied to solve real-world problems, and it seems to me that such a thing has no value to read at all."

Neglect of application is the consistent position of the Bourbaki school, and the "glorious isolation" of other disciplines is often seen as a kind of nobility. Although it is difficult to feel this chain of contempt within the discipline among younger mathematicians, this stubborn notion still exists among the older generation of mathematicians.

One of the outstanding representatives is probably the late number theory master Hardy, in addition to research, this bull man's favorite thing to do is to show off to others that he studies the purest and purest mathematics, and his research has no "use" other than mathematics, and he is proud of it.

However, Hardy never dreamed that his research results would eventually be taken by "cunning" applied scientists and widely used in computers and cryptography......

Of course, when Faltings said this, he did not mean that Lu Zhou was a second-rate mathematician, but only that he regretted that he had squandered his talent.

It was only at last year's Clafford Prize ceremony that he said that only four mathematicians in the world today could surpass him, and that Lu Zhou was the most promising in his opinion.

Now, however, he was hesitant to change the four back to three.

Sitting down across from Faltins, Etter raised an eyebrow, "I don't dare agree with you. ”

"I didn't expect you to agree. Just as not everyone can appreciate the sculptures of ancient Greece, you can't expect a layman to be able to understand the beauty of pure mathematics. Faltings said lightly.

Ettel's eyebrows twitched violently.

Seeing that the two were about to quarrel again, Professor Klaus von Klitzing coughed lightly and said helplessly beside him.

"Enough, Mr. Faltins, we want you to offer more constructive advice than to listen to your mockery of us."

Professor Klaus von Klitzing is a member of the Max Planck Institute for Condensed Matter Physics, and although he is not the director, he is the discoverer of the quantum Hall effect and a Nobel laureate.

"I'm not mocking you," Faltins corrected, turning a page over the paper, scornfully and stubbornly, his sharp gaze scanning the paper, "I'm just stating the facts. ”

Etter and Cléching exchanged glances, deciding not to exchange a word with the stubborn old man until he had finished reading the last part of the paper.

Fortunately, Faltins had no intention of continuing to speak, and carefully read the paper in his hand.

After a long time, he threw the paper on the table and gave a barely agreeable evaluation.

"From a mathematical point of view, there is nothing wrong with his process."

Ettel and Clitzing breathed a sigh of relief.

If Professor Faltins thinks it's okay, then it's basically okay in the sense of mathematics.

Clezing looked at Etter and asked, "What do you think about this theory?" ”

After pondering for a moment, Etel said, "In my opinion, the problem is not very big. But his theories are so obscure that even if we give a concurring evaluation, it will not be acceptable to the chemical community. ”

Kleezing's heart moved slightly: "What do you mean?" ”

Etter nodded: "There is nothing more appropriate than a report, and the more difficult the theory, the more it is necessary to communicate directly with me." ”

With his index finger tapped lightly on the conference table, Clézing pondered and asked, "What do you think is more appropriate?" ”

"We can send an invitation letter to Princeton, invite Professor Lu to visit Max Planck Institute, and provide him with a platform to explain his views to the entire theoretical chemistry community."

I have to say, it's a great idea.

Clizing nodded in agreement.

"I agree with you, but the question is, which institute sent the invitation?"

This is a critical question.

The Max Planck Institute is not a top-down, centralized research institute, and the institutes are largely independent of each other.

However, this is also a question that does not need to be considered at all.

The two said almost in unison.

"Of course, our Institute of Physical Chemistry."

"Of course, our Institute of Mathematics."

Because the voices were so consistent, that after speaking, both Faltins and Etel were stunned.

Frowning slightly, Faltins said in an emphatic tone, "He's a mathematician. ”

Ettel looked at him in disbelief and argued, "But we're talking about chemistry now. ”

Seeing that the two were arguing, Cléching coughed lightly and offered a compromise opinion.

"If you can't make up your mind, why don't you just ...... at our Institute of Condensed Matter Physics."

"Impossible."

"Don't even think about it!"

Faced with the joint choking of the two bigwigs, Cléching coughed awkwardly: "I just said it casually...... In that case, let's use the traditional and ancient method to decide. ”

The tradition of physicists.

Naturally, it's a bet.

"Heads out, tails continue," Professor Klitzing paused and continued with a little excitement, "of course, for the sake of fairness, I'll be there too." ”

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(Thanks to the book friend Hua Xuejian's alliance leader for reward~~~)