Rumble!

The huge energy spread rapidly in the narrow space, and the shock wave released in an instant quickly broke through all the restraints, like a wild horse on the loose, galloping and scattering, breaking down, tearing, and tearing apart all obstacles......

"Hmm—it's still ...... Failed? ”

Looking at the completely destroyed fusion simulator in front of him, Chen Tiange couldn't help but sigh.

It's the fifth, and it's been five times......

Even if it has been carefully calculated, even if everything has been exhausted......

But......

The experiment to control fusion still failed hopelessly......

Ever since his daughter brought back the shocking news, he has been considering using the method of nuclear fusion to replace the energy source of the "Ark's curvature navigation thrusters".

After all, they "got off halfway".

The Ark's final destination, Gliese 581g, the planet orbiting the red dwarf star Gliese 581 in the constellation Libra, is still a long way off.

If you don't use the curvature to sail and rely only on the spacecraft itself, and only the thrusters of the third cosmic speed sail, I'm afraid you won't be able to get there for 10,000 years.

But now, even if all the uranium stockpiled on the spacecraft were used for fission reactions, the energy produced would not be enough to start the curvature voyage again.

And the desert planet, the only desirable resource, has become an extremely dangerous dead place.

So...... The only way to do this is to change the mode of energy and use nuclear fusion – because this is the universe, and the hydrogen content of the universe is almost three-quarters. Theoretically, as long as you can find a way to guide and use the energy of hydrogen fusion, then curvature navigation is no longer limited by energy.

It's just that......

The controllability of nuclear fusion is a technical difficulty that cannot be overcome......

The main challenge is to confine the plasma.

Because of the extremely high energy generated when fusion occurs, nuclear fuel cannot be contained in conventional containers, and everything will be melted at high temperatures.

So, there are actually only two problems:

1. How do you heat fusion material to such a high temperature?

2. What container is used to hold fusion materials with such a high temperature?

If you think of a fusion reactor as a furnace, the first question is equivalent to "how to ignite the fire", and the second question is equivalent to "how to ensure that the furnace is not burned through".

The answer to the first question can be solved by the existing inertial confinement laser ignition. The fusion fuel is placed inside a projectile, and the projectile is irradiated with a super-powerful laser, which instantly reaches a high temperature, and the outer wall of the projectile evaporates, and the nuclear fuel is squeezed inward. Experimental devices such as the "National Ignition Device" of the United States and the "Shenguang-3" of China have taken this path.

The answer to the second question can also be achieved using magnetic constraints. The fusion fuel is made into a plasma, and the plasma is confined with a super magnetic field, so that they are suspended in the air and rotate at high speed, without direct contact with the container. Tokamak installations such as EAST are taking this path.

But the trouble is that these two paths are contradictory.

If the fusion fuel is stationary, it is very difficult not to burn through the container; And if you are in motion, it becomes difficult to focus on ignition. That's why controlled nuclear fusion is so difficult.

Unless, unless, there is a material that can truly withstand the high temperatures of fusion......

But where to find it?

"Dad, are you looking for me?"

The door was gently pushed open.

When the black and straight beautiful girl appeared in front of Chen Tiange with a tired face, he couldn't help frowning deeply: "Are you willing to come back?" ”

He was really angry.

Originally, she was expecting her daughter to be able to help her, at least to provide a little new ideas for research that entered a dead end, but she ......

"Dad-" Chen Mengyao let out a slightly coquettish voice.

It's not that she's unaware of her father's displeasure, it's just that she ......

"How's that, your ...... 'Funny Micro Curvature Booster' is improving well, right?" Chen Tiange asked with a frown.

"It's called a 'fission miniature curvature booster.'" Chen Mengyao muttered a correction.

It's just that......

"Is there a difference?" Chen Tiange hit the nail on the head, "Fission energy is not feasible, but you proposed it yourself, but now?" ”

"Dad—"

"I've been so busy all day that I can't see anyone, I thought you were immersed in research on new high-temperature resistant materials."

"I ......"

"As a result, the last time I asked Xiao Li to look for it, I found out that you were buried in your small room all day, and you were actually improving your 'fission micro curvature booster', wanting it to reduce energy consumption and load, and achieve the purpose of using it multiple times a day!" The more Chen Tiange spoke, the more angry he became, "What if you improve that booster of yours to the point of falling out of the blue?" Not still use the fission equation? Can you solve the problem of the curvature of the ship? So I was wrong to say 'funny'? ”

"Uh-"

Chen Mengyao couldn't help but be speechless for a while.

Answer: Of course not.

Because this is not something to be done for the "ark" at all.

Just that day......

"It would be nice if you could use it for a day without limits......

This is what Qin Feng said to her after experimenting with a short-distance curvature like "teleportation".

"I just don't want to see your ugly face as if you were struck by lightning every time you come back, and that respectful look makes me disgusting!" After hearing the air force officer's sigh of emotion, Chen Mengyao unconsciously turned on the mode of ridicule, "Plug-in is such a thing, it's good to be able to save your life in a critical situation, and you want to use it unlimitedly, you want to be beautiful!" ”

“…… I'm just talking about it. Compared to this, the whole body is tense and still says that kind of line, but it is very undignified, Meng Yao. ”

"Hmm—I'm just trying to live my best at all times!"

It's just that......

said it casually, but she still remembered it unconsciously in her heart......

Just this kind of reason...... Can you talk to your father......

Do you want to tell your father that he likes a married man?

"I was willing to be kept in captivity by the other party like this, and I was in hell all my life...... In short, there should be no daughter like you! ”

She could fully imagine her father's reaction when he found out about it.

And then......

It seems that I can prepare to send flowers to my father's laboratory......

So......

"No, when it comes to the curvature of the 'Ark', I still have studied it well." Chen Mengyao quickly changed the topic.

"Huh? Have you researched? ”

“…… Be...... Oh, yes. Chen Mengyao's heart turned, "The biggest difficulty we are facing now is that there are no materials that can withstand the high temperature of nuclear fusion...... But, but, have you thought about it, Dad, are we confined to the dead end of our thinking? ”

"Restricted...... Finish?! ”

Like a burst of light, like a church bell ringing! Chen Tiange raised his head!

Oh, yes!

It's really limited!

I've always only thought about the raw materials on the earth, but this is space, it's the universe!

How many things that do not exist on earth, how many incredible exist!

Not to mention anything else, it's the giant insect mentioned by Meng Yao last time-

You know, it's a creature that emits a lot of γ rays!!

Since γ rays have a very short wavelength and high frequency, they have a very large amount of energy.

For example, the most terrible gamma-ray burst in the universe, a gamma-ray burst is equivalent to gathering all the stars within a radius of 100 million light-years and focusing all the light they emit to form a terrifying "laser". The amount of energy it releases in one second is equivalent to the total amount of energy released by the Sun over its entire 10 billion year lifespan.

As a result, highly concentrated gamma rays have extremely high temperatures, reaching up to 1 trillion degrees Celsius.

Although I have never seen that kind of giant worm myself, but it can tolerate such concentrated γ rays, and its exoskeleton is resistant to high temperatures, isn't it worth looking forward to?

So......

"Thank you, Meng Yao!" Chen Tiange, who suddenly became bright, couldn't help but hold the beautiful girl's wrist at all, so excited that even his voice began to tremble.

"Huh?" Chen Mengyao was completely stunned.

What's wrong with this?

I haven't said anything yet, so why ......

"You've really done my dad a great favor this time...... No, it saved the Ark...... It's not right, it should be said that it saved the fate of mankind! ”

"Huh?" The girl who was put on one top hat after another was further petrified.

"I want to ...... I know what to do! ”

Leaving this last sentence to himself inexplicably, and his daughter who was still stunned, Chen Tiange hurriedly rushed out of the laboratory.

It's a pity......

He had just walked out of the door not far before the chief scientist, who was excited to find the answer, was stunned.

Worst!

How did you forget about the excitement of the moment......

What a dangerous existence that planet is......

And that giant worm......

Chen Tiange involuntarily smiled bitterly, as if a basin of cold water had been poured on his head, and a cold feeling that penetrated from the bottom of his heart instantly spread throughout his body.

Really...... Is it still impossible?

Such a cold thought, even if it is not desirable at all, is gradually turning into a cold sweat and appearing on the back of scientists.

However, just when he collapsed again because of the instant defeat from heaven to hell......

"Huh? Isn't this Professor Chen? ”

A deep voice came from behind him.

Chen Tiange turned his head slowly, only then did he realize that behind him, there was already a burly figure at some point.

"Oh, it's Colonel Edward......" he smiled feebly, barely greeting the other.

"Professor, ...... are you" seemed to realize the other party's absent-mindedness, and Colonel Edward looked at the dejected scientist in front of him in confusion.

"It's nothing, it's just that I've encountered a little trouble in studying the subject of curvature navigation......" Chen Tiange smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "You know, now the 'Ark' is equivalent to being stranded in this star field, and time waits for no one...... If there's nothing else, please allow me to take my leave......"

He really didn't have the energy to greet each other anymore.

Since...... The infeasibility of the plan has been discovered.

Then, the top priority is to find other solutions as soon as possible, after all, let the "Ark" stay in this star field for one more minute, there will be more danger.

But......

"The problem of 'curvature navigation'?" Colonel Edward's eyes were gloomy, and an inexplicable glimmer of divine light flashed in his deep pupils, "Can you please tell the professor more specifically?" How can I help? ”

"I'm afraid no one can help." Chen Tiange smiled bitterly and explained his discovery and final rejection, "Since the facts have proved the desert planet ......"

"That's why you're going to give up, Professor?" The Colonel raised his voice suddenly, his eyes wide filled with disbelief and the heartache of a missed opportunity.

"Huh?" Chen Tiange raised his head, "Colonel, you ......"

"Since the exoskeleton of the giant worm may become the material for solving the high-heat container of nuclear fusion, then go and get it. Even if there is only a glimmer of hope, you should not give up! ”

"This ...... But isn't there a lot of danger on that planet......"

"Danger is ......," interrupted his Colonel, waving his fist in indignation, "it's not at all what a professor should be thinking about!" ”

"This ......" seemed to be shocked by the other party's momentum, and Chen Tiange couldn't help but be stunned.

Then, before he could react further......

"Professor Chen, I hope you can understand one thing." The colonel continued, "It is the task of you scientists to find a solution to save the spacecraft, and it is the duty of our military men to achieve it!" No matter how risky the future is, no matter how many obstacles there are to the future! ”

"This ......"

"It's all for the hope of mankind, for the survival of civilization! If we can back down because of danger, then what do we soldiers do? ”

“…… Not. ”

"My boys, they'll be happy to solve this problem for the professor......" Edward tugged at the corners of his mouth, and a meaningful smile bloomed under the stern nasolabial folds, "So don't worry." ”