(There's one more chapter later, and I'm getting better)

"The U.S. has laid out new energetic materials, and the energy landscape will change greatly in the future?"

"What are all-nitrogen anionic salts? What will its appearance bring? ”

"More pragmatic! Compared to metallic hydrogen, all-nitrogen anionic salts may achieve results more quickly. ”

"Too many steps? The layout of metal hydrogen, is it a strategic position, or a great success? ”

After the press conference on the all-nitrogen anion salt, the global media quickly followed suit, and Huaxia's ongoing metallic hydrogen project was also pushed to the forefront.

Objective or not, everyone's opinion on metallic hydrogen projects is strikingly unanimous:

At this stage, it seems that it is indeed a bit ahead of its time to engage in metallic hydrogen.

Of course, it is not that there is no one to stand up for the metal hydrogen project, and the discussion on this topic has steadily occupied the highest heat in the forum.

"So in the field of energetic materials, we have decided to take the route of metallic hydrogen? I always feel that this thing is not very useful, and it is difficult to synthesize, and the practicability is far less than that of all-nitrogen anionic salt."

"What are you talking about? You are right to say that it is difficult to synthesize, but it is pure nonsense to say that it is not very useful. ”

"Not to mention how much power transmission technology can be improved by room temperature superconductivity, how many steps can human beings go out in the energy field, even if it is only used as a fuel and explosives, the efficiency of metallic hydrogen is extremely amazing."

"If there is a way to synthesize metallic hydrogen on a large scale, first of all, in terms of weapons, the fourth generation of nuclear weapons will completely change the deterrence pattern of the world and lay the foundation for order change."

"Secondly, as a fuel, metal hydrogen fuel can achieve single-stage rocket into orbit without pressure, and the space industry will have a major development, and mankind may directly enter a new space age."

"Generally speaking, the prospects of metallic hydrogen are incomparably broad, and the only problem is that it is too difficult to achieve."

"Essentially, it's similar to nuclear fusion."

After this long comment was issued, the focus of discussion gradually shifted from the advantages and disadvantages of the two technologies to the difficulty of implementing the two technologies.

"Although metallic hydrogen is difficult to achieve, the all-nitrogen anion salt is not so easy, right?"

"I remember that Southern Institute of Technology has actually been doing research in this area, their predecessor was specialized in explosives, and it has been 10 years since the project was established, and there has been no progress. Are you kidding? ”

"Indeed, the five-membered nitrogen ring is extremely unstable, even a very weak oxidant can cause its decomposition, and at present, all institutions at home and abroad can not cut off the C-N bond and maintain the integrity of the five-membered nitrogen ring.

"Didn't Lao Mei synthesize all-nitrogen cationic salts before? I remember it was 98, what's the difference between the two? ”

"The N5ˉ ions in the all-nitrogen anion salt are cyclic structure, and the electron delocalization conjugation on the five nitrogen atoms makes the N5ˉ ion ring have a certain aromaticity, and the all-nitrogen cation N5+ synthesized in the United States is chain-shaped, and the stability is far less than that of the all-nitrogen anion salt."

"Also, hydrofluoric acid is used in the synthesis of all-nitrogen cationic salts, and I don't need to tell you how dangerous this thing is."

"But even so, on the whole, all-nitrogen anionic salts are still easier than metallic hydrogen, right?"

"That's really no matter what, what Lao Mei said is right, it is very likely that after we make metal hydrogen, the world is already the world of all-nitrogen anion salts."

"Alarmist, right? The new will always eliminate the old, and the metallic hydrogen will also eliminate the total nitrogen anionic salt. ”

"Technology will be obsolete, but order will be hard to break. It's useless to talk about this, just look at the official announcement. ”

"I'd like to see us go both, but it's a big problem in terms of cost."

Chengdu, in the office.

Looking at the discussion on the Internet, Chen Guo said with a little emotion:

"The level of netizens is getting higher and higher, but in terms of their analysis of the two technical routes, they are not much different from professional energetic materials scholars."

"Is the effect of our previous popular science project starting to show? Or do they already understand? ”

"All of them – the main reason is that the Internet technology has developed, and the exchange of information has become simpler."

Chen Nian replied with a smile, and then continued:

"But in any case, there are limitations to the average person's perception of these two technologies."

"They only see the effect of the results, but they don't see the collateral effects of the development process."

"If we simply consider the revenue expectation under the combination of 'R&D success probability' and 'finished product impact', the all-nitrogen anion salt may indeed be higher than the metallic hydrogen."

"But the problem is that the technological improvements in the field of high-pressure physics and the collateral results of high-strength materials involved in the research and development of metallic hydrogen are not available in the all-nitrogen anion salt."

"So on the whole, even at this point in time, it is more cost-effective to engage in metallic hydrogen than to engage in all-nitrogen anionic salts."

Chen Guo nodded slightly, and after thinking for a moment, he spoke again:

"Speaking of which, after the metallic hydrogen is out, what is the plan for the application direction?"

"First of all, we must make a fuss about superconductivity-—— and the transmission network should be comprehensively updated based on this."

"After the loss of power transmission is reduced, it is possible for us to overtake in the energy field and gradually replace traditional fossil energy with new energy sources."

"Secondly, superconducting suspension trains are also an important direction, and now that the high-speed rail technology has been basically formed, the next step is to pursue faster and safer railway transportation."

"Of course, the biggest role of metallic hydrogen lies in metallic hydrogen batteries."

"It's complicated, and I don't know much in the short term."

Chen Nian is not modest when he says this.

At the beginning of the analysis, he had already found that the source point required for metallic hydrogen batteries was more than twice as high as that of pure metallic hydrogen materials.

This is enough to prove that the technical difficulty of turning metallic hydrogen into a battery is by no means small.

"If you're not sure, take your time, it's ahead of your time."

Chen Guo said comfortingly.

"However, Lao Mei is really disgusting to give us this hand-—— we do metal hydrogen, and they do all nitrogen anion salts."

"If we really let them take the lead, we may have trouble with our subsequent layout."

"Don't worry, it's impossible to let them get the first shot."

Chen Nian replied decisively.

"Don't look at what they say so easily, but it will take them at least two or three years to make an all-nitrogen anionic salt."

"But I wouldn't dare say that it's mass-produced on our side, if it's just made in a lab. Give me two months, that's enough. ”

"Two months?!"

Chen Guo was shocked.

"Is it so fast? Can it be achieved? ”

"Absolutely."

Chen Nian said confidently:

"The carbon nanotube technology has fully matured, the diamond felt has been put in place, we have gone through all the pre-steps, and now what is missing is only to integrate these technologies to achieve the final result"

Two days later, Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences, in the comprehensive laboratory of the metal hydrogen project team.

Isaac walked around the lab curiously, and the experimenters around him looked at him with just as curious curiosity.

Of course, this is not the first time that a foreigner has appeared in this research institute, when the plasma research institute was in the proton cyclotron project, a large number of scientists from all over the world gathered here, not to mention the more open medical materials projects.

It's never a place to stay behind closed doors, on the contrary, it's extremely open and eclectic.

The reason why everyone is curious is because of Isaac's "ownership" spirit.

He doesn't seem to see himself as a "consultant", but as the leader of the project-—— at least, as a key member of the project.

"There is a square space of at least 3 x 3 meters, you see, the position of the diamond felt equipment in the middle is fixed, and we need a space to use it as a manual console, especially to lay out the shooting equipment."

"In fact, it is impossible for us to produce metal hydrogen stably, and it is likely that even if it is made, it will not be preserved, so it is especially important to shoot and preserve evidence."

"And here, this is a place for the industrial air cooler, not on the main channel, which will have a big impact on the overall efficiency of the laboratory."

"By the way, I think the rules of the laboratory can be changed slightly, and the dust management can be done by specialized personnel, of course, it can be in turns"

As he spoke, he pointed around, as if he had really regarded this place as a "home" for long-term development.

——

And with that in addition to his lame accent, this scene is even more comical.

"Mr. Isaac, regarding the layout of the laboratory, the institute has been carefully planned."

"From the perspective of the follow-up experimental use, including the specific purpose of use, there is basically no problem with the layout we are planning now."

"Of course, what you mentioned about dust-free management is really a good suggestion, and we will consider implementing it."

"That's right!"

Isaac nodded in satisfaction, then continued:

"You don't have much experience in this area."

"Of course, I'm not talking about the field of high-pressure physics, but simply the field of metallic hydrogen."

"So, you must need a smart and meticulous leader."

"And it just so happens that I'm such a person."

"At the moment, my position is only 'advisor', but I know that this is only a step that must be taken before I can gain your trust."

"One day you will see what I am capable of, and willingly let me be your leader."

Hearing his words, everyone present couldn't help but be a little amused.

How should we evaluate it?

You call him arrogant, but he is also self-aware, knowing that he will not be able to enter the core of the project team in the short term.

But if you want to say how modest he is, that's not right, because in his cognition, he can't enter the core group, and the only reason is that his status as a foreigner can't gain the trust of his superiors for the time being.

He probably never thought that there would be someone in Huaxia who was stronger than him in this field and more suitable as a project team leader.

There was an eerie silence in the laboratory, and after a long time, someone asked:

"Mr. Isaac, haven't you thought that maybe you weren't allowed to enter the core group because you weren't trusted, but simply because of your ability?"

"Competency? Ha ha! ”

An exaggerated smile appeared on Isaac's face, and then he said:

"It's not even a funny joke. You know, my friend, I don't want to belittle your abilities. ”

"But in fact, in the field of metal hydrogen, Huaxia has never achieved any results."

"Even in terms of theoretical research, it can't enter the international first-line level."

"You don't want to say that you want to let that kid named Chen Nian be the leader, right?"

"Yes, I admit that he is indeed a genius, but in the field of high-pressure physics experiments, genius alone is not enough."

"It takes experience, it needs intuition, it needs to know your subjects as well as you know your lover."

"And that's obviously not something he can do."

"To put it another way, do you know why the Americans are starting the all-nitrogen anion salt project instead of the metallic hydrogen project?"

Speaking of this, Isaac deliberately paused, and only after seeing everyone shaking their heads did he answer to himself:

"Because I'm gone!"

"I'm gone, and they can't find anyone with enough capacity to support the metallic hydrogen project."

"That's why, you're lucky, you found me in advance, and that's too much ahead of the United States."

Hearing his words, everyone had no choice but to nod their heads with laughter.

Isaac grew more and more complacent, and with a long sigh, he continued:

"So, you still have to pay attention to my opinion."

"I'm only an advisor at the moment, but I can play no less role than any of you."

"Of course, of course, if you don't pay attention, we won't let you join the project team."

"That's right-—— there's been too much gossip, I think we should talk about something more technical."

"Is the ruby pressure internal standard I mentioned last time ready? This is the key to our pressure determination. ”

"We don't use ruby pressure internal standards. We're not going to use the 'traditional' diamond anvil process. ”

"What?"

Isaac was shocked.

"What do you mean by 'not a traditional diamond anvil craft'? What are you going to do? ”

"Is there any other way to achieve high voltages above 500 GPA? You're kidding! ”

"We're not kidding."

The experimenter shook his head slightly, then continued:

"We will use a carbon nanotube solution, which will replace the traditional metal gasket - the pressure transfer medium - the ruby internal standard scheme."

"It may be more difficult to observe, but this option will make it easier to get high pressures and more likely to produce metallic hydrogen."

You are crazy with this kind of solution, and if you don't reach the final result directly, you will never make any progress-—— at least in the eyes of others!"

"How long can you hold out? How long can your superiors hold out? ”

Hearing his words, the experimenter smiled.

He kind of knew why Isaac valued the so-called "video equipment" so much.

——

Of course, his thinking was not wrong.

After all, a project can only be done if there are continuous phased results.

However, metallic hydrogen projects are exceptional.

Laboratory production is just a "phased achievement".

Thinking of this, he opened his mouth and said:

"It doesn't have to last long."

"We'll just make it."

(End of chapter)