"A whole new kind of ...... Matter, for the time being, cannot be called an element. It is extremely dense, with a mass of more than 1,000 tons per cubic centimeter! This is not yet the level of neutron star matter, but it is equivalent to a white dwarf. ”

Lin Xi was very surprised, "Without external pressure, how could it have such a large density?"

"That's where we need to look into it. Maybe it's because of their very small particles, but it's more about their internal composition and structure. Once we figure out its internal structure, and why it appeared, it will be an epoch-making discovery. ”

"If this research is successful, what does it mean for us?" Chu Jungui asked.

"It's so significant, it can even be compared to controlled nuclear fusion! Simply put, normal high-density matter is not an element in our sense, it is usually formed when stars collapse under gravity at the end of their lifespan," Le Mans said. Stars that are massive enough to form white dwarfs when they die. When the star is more massive and its gravitational pull is greater than the electron degeneracy pressure, the electrons in the atoms are compressed together, forming neutron stars. We are now dealing with a crystal with a unit mass that exceeds that of a normal white dwarf. ”

In the interstellar age, this is common knowledge that every student learns in elementary school.

Le Mans continued: "What if we dig up a small piece of matter from a neutron star? What would happen? Quite simply, after losing the gravitational constraints, the matter that makes up the neutron star would revert to its original shape, turning back into a variety of elements, and releasing a huge amount of energy. ”

In other words, the grains we see should not exist in a normal gravitational environment, but they appear right in front of us. If they were to be transformed back into the basic elements, the energy released would far exceed that of nuclear fusion. However, I am not an expert in this area and cannot give an exact answer. However, the first conclusion can already be drawn, that is, we will invent a new superweapon, which is equivalent to the invention of the atomic bomb for the first time. ”

"What about the second conclusion?" Lin Xi asked.

"The second conclusion is that at least this kind of matter can exist in a conventional gravitational environment, although we don't yet know how to do that. Perhaps we can call it a miracle of the universe. But when they increase in volume a little more, say a few cubic centimeters, or even larger, we get a substance that has never been stronger than ever. Relying on it, we can even land on the surface of a star. ”

"Or, we could use it to create a special warhead that would have an unrivalled striking power that no main battleship could withstand with the armor of a starship. We could even imagine a little bit bolder, and suppose, I mean, that we build a warhead the size of an asteroid. Oh no, it doesn't have to be that big, maybe 100 cubic meters will be enough, and its mass will be more than 100 billion tons. If such an object is placed on a planet, it will cause serious damage to the entire planet. Isn't this the star-destroying weapon that we humans began to dream of 1,500 years ago?"

"What about the technical difficulty of implementation?"

"I'm not a physicist, I need to ask someone else," Le Mans said. ”

Hathaway was a little curious and asked, "Aren't you an expert in the field of electromagnetism? How can you be so proficient in biology?

Le Mans smiled a little awkwardly and said, "My interest has always been in alien biology. It's just that experts in the field of electromagnetism are more employable, and in order to find a job, I studied electromagnetism again. ”

A very real reason, but probably Le Mans did not expect that his status as an electromagnet expert would lead him to work on Planet Four. If it had been predictable, I am afraid that he would rather endure a period of unemployment.

"If I'm not mistaken, we now have two physicists, one materials scientist. Do you want to call them in for a joint study?" Hathaway asked.

"Yes. Lin Xi nodded. While Le Mans' discovery is significant, this is not the time for secrecy. If a superweapon can be developed, then the significance of survival cannot be overestimated.

A moment later, several experts gathered in the conference room, looking intently at the research materials in their hands. Le Mans sat next to him, looking a little nervous. Compared with these experts, he is an order of magnitude worse in terms of identity and academic status. Of course, none of these researchers have a status in the Federation, otherwise they would not have been assigned to the landing force.

A physicist finally looked up and said, "As far as the current information goes, I have to say that superweapons are very, very far away. ”

"How far is it?" Lin Xi asked.

"It's like we're as far away as we first see Venus from our home planet to our successful landing on Venus. ”

Another physicist also said: "The first difficulty is what we have to do to figure out the internal structure of these crystals. The second is how to destabilize it and let it release energy. To use an analogy, it's like trying to dig a rock out of a white dwarf. Finally, it's how we control this energy. ”

The former physicist subconsciously knocked on the table and said, "Anyway, we already have natural samples, and that's the most important thing." I just want to study it, not only do we have no equipment at hand now, but we also don't have the corresponding equipment if we look at the entire federation. Everything had to be designed and researched from scratch. ”

It was only after the physicists finished that the materials scientist said, "These samples are priceless, but their value is not only in research, but in their own right." In fact, we only need to sell a few grains to the outside world, and we must be able to exchange them for a few advanced starships. ”

Chu Jungui felt that this material scientist seemed to be a little unprofessional, and he was more suitable to be a businessman.

Unexpectedly, Le Mans was very supportive of this approach, "The amount of these grains in the double-leaf tree is not a lot, and the planet is literally full of double-leaf trees, we can indeed sell a little bit first, in the unit of grains." Wait until the research is almost exhausted, and then increase the supply. ”

Another profiteer. Chu Jungui thought silently.

Lin Xi directly refused, "These are strategic materials and must not be sold." In addition, information about it is strictly confidential and cannot be disclosed to anyone. ”

Le Mans and the materials scientists just spread their hands and did not object. Now, even if you want to sell it, there is nowhere to sell it.

This concludes the meeting, and the rest remains at Le Mans: trying to extract the grains individually.

Chu Jun returned and left the conference room, and Le Mans chased after him, and asked a little anxiously: "That, what is the name of this new material?"