Great Country Academician

After dealing with the matter of the Nuclear Energy Research Institute in Qidong, Xu Chuan rushed to Shanghai.

The entire research institute will not be fully built until around mid-March, but there is no need to worry too much about it being affected by the second phase of research.

The core of the second stage is still the research and development of materials, which can be carried out at the Institute of Nuclear Research of the Magic Academy of Sciences.

The core of the nuclear energy beta radiation energy accumulation conversion mechanism lies in two points, one is protection, and the other is radiation energy-electric energy conversion.

Needless to say about protection, whether it is traditional protective materials or new protective materials that he created later, they can all be used in nuclear engineering.

The conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy is another core of the whole project.

In fact, the technology of converting radiant energy into electrical energy has been pointed out by various countries a long time ago, such as traditional solar panels.

However, the technology of converting the nuclear radiation of nuclear waste into electrical energy is still basically in the laboratory stage. Although its principle is somewhat similar to that of solar panels, the difficulty is countless times higher.

The silicon semiconductor of conventional solar cells only absorbs infrared light, and high-energy light waves, including most of the visible light spectrum, are wasted as heat because photovoltaics convert heat-related infrared (IR) and near-IR spectral ranges short-wave radiation without conversion to long-wave.

Although in theory, the conversion efficiency of traditional solar cells can reach 34%, but due to energy waste, its conversion efficiency is still stagnant at 15%-20% despite the continuous improvement and improvement of its technology.

More importantly, it is difficult for traditional semiconductor photovoltaic materials to maintain a stable form for a long time when faced with the impact of strong ionizing radiation from things like nuclear waste.

The semiconductor materials manufactured by atomic cycle technology have unique advantages in this respect.

If there are any disadvantages, it is that the power generation is average, and the efficiency is not as good as that of traditional heat engines.

This is for sure, after all, the efficiency of converting radiation energy into electrical energy has not been high.

In his previous life, Xu Chuan also wanted to try to solve this problem in the past, but he was limited in all aspects and did not make much progress. Even if there is a slight improvement, it is still far inferior to the traditional heat engine.

Before his rebirth, the power generation efficiency of a large "nuclear beta radiation energy concentration and conversion nuclear power plant" he designed was only comparable to that of a small and medium-sized nuclear power plant.

To compare with popular data, if a nuclear power plant covering an area of ​​2,000 mu has an annual power generation capacity of 10 billion kilowatt-hours, then a nuclear power plant that uses nuclear waste as raw materials has a power generation capacity of about 2 billion kilowatt-hours. Less than a fifth.

Of course, the original purpose of this technology is not to generate electricity, but to solve the problem of difficult disposal of nuclear waste.

As for the power generation capacity, it is just incidental to it.

For the nuclear waste that costs money to dispose of, it is the most perfect solution to recycle the waste and recover some funds.

"Professor, you are back. Congratulations on winning the Natural Science Award!"

In the Nuclear Research Institute of the Academy of Magic Sciences, Xu Chuan found Han Jin who was busy. In the office, there was another younger researcher who came up to greet him happily after seeing him.

Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile, "Thank you, after resting for so long, it's time to advance our project to the next step."

"Of course, we've been waiting for it for a long time."

The Youth Research Institute grinned and said that although the stagnation of R\u0026D projects can give them a rest, it is more important to follow the work experience and gains of the Nobel Prize winners.

Xu Chuan smiled, and said to Han Jin on the other side: "Director Han, please inform the other researchers that the meeting will start in ten minutes."

"Okay, I'll arrange it right away." Han Jin nodded, picked up his mobile phone and clicked on all the members in the group.

"Come on, let's go to the office first."

Ten minutes later, everyone in the small conference room rushed over.

After Xu Chuan sorted out his thoughts, he cleared his throat and said: "In the past few months, we have completed the protective material based on the 'atomic cycle' theory, and the test results show that the protective shielding effect of this new material Pretty good."

"Everyone has done pretty well along the way."

"As a reward, after the meeting is over, everyone can submit an application for regularization to Director Han Jin, ending the probationary period. I hope everyone can continue to work hard in the future."

Hearing this, the eight researchers in the office became ecstatic.

"The boss is awesome!"

"Love you!"

"Wow, wow, I've become a full-time member ahead of schedule!"

"Thank you, boss! Boss is generous!"

In the conference room, wolves were howling, and everyone became ecstatic when they heard the news that they had become full-time employees ahead of schedule.

Going through the probationary period ahead of time and becoming a full-time employee represents not only an increase in salary and benefits, but also the qualification to apply for an intern researcher.

And after one year as an intern researcher, you can turn into a full-time researcher, which is the real dream of most postdoctoral fellows!

Now that this dream has come ahead of schedule, it is within reach, how can it not be exciting.

After exciting everyone in the office for a while, Xu Chuan coughed, took everyone's attention back and said, "Okay, let's start to arrange work."

Hearing this, the entire meeting room fell silent, and everyone looked at him like a good baby.

Xu Chuandao: "The next work is to develop a semiconductor material based on the 'atomic cycle' theory."

"The requirements for this material are described in detail in the documents that you have read before, so I will repeat them here."

"According to the previous theory, do you have any good ideas on material design?"

Although he is very clear about the relevant technical theories and required materials, he can get them out directly. But this is very unfavorable for the cultivation of talents.

For these first batch of scientific researchers, if given the opportunity, Xu Chuan still wants to cultivate their own scientific research capabilities.

After all, with the expansion of later projects, these people will be the backbone. It is worth a try if it can be cultivated.

"How about chromium?"

In the office, a researcher thought for a while and then said.

After following Xu Chuan for three or four months, these R\u0026D personnel also know some of the temper of this big boss.

Regarding research and development, as long as you have the ability and potential, he will take a fancy to it and train it.

As for those unspoken rules in academia, they hardly exist here.

Of course, all the current research and development materials are basically produced by this boss, so there are almost no unspoken rules.

"Chrome materials? Tell me your opinion."

Xu Chuan cast an encouraging look at the researcher named 'Du Jing' and asked.

He has always looked forward to the opinions of different people, as long as it is not the kind of unreasonable trouble or unable to communicate, he is generally willing to listen to other people's opinions.

After all, only the collision of thinking can produce the spark of wisdom.

Noticing Xu Chuan's encouraging eyes, the researcher named Du Jing took a deep breath and said, "First of all, we must consider the environment in which our new material will be used."

"Although atomic cycle technology can improve the ability of many materials to resist nuclear radiation, the relative density of the material must remain relatively large if it is to be used for a long time."

"Chromium oxide or indium chromium materials can guarantee this, and if they are made of chromium-based materials, they can be quite guaranteed in terms of service time."

Hearing this, many of the other researchers sitting in the office nodded, and Du Jing's opinion was indeed no problem in their hearts.

Xu Chuan smiled and said, "From the perspective of usage time, chromium-based materials are indeed worth a try, but have you thought about other issues?"

"What's the question?" Du Jing was stunned for a moment and asked quickly.

"Have you ever thought about how much material it needs, that is to say how much money it needs. After all, this material is used in the outer layer of nuclear waste, and a power station needs a large amount of nuclear waste, with a tonnage exceeding Three or even four digits."

"How much chromium material is needed to deal with so much waste? The price of chromium is not cheap." Xu Chuan asked with a smile.

Du Jing, who asked the question, was stunned for a moment, and then made a rough calculation in his mind. Based on the calculation of the order of 500 tons, it would take at least 500 tons of chromium to dispose of such a large amount of nuclear waste.

Five hundred tons of chromium sounds like a lot, but calculated based on the density of chromium, it is actually less than one hundred cubic meters.

Although he doesn't know how much per ton of chromium is currently, it will not be less than 50,000 per ton. That is to say, the cost of chromium alone exceeds 25 million.

And this is just a hundred-ton nuclear waste reuse.

You must know that the decay time of nuclear waste is quite long. Even if it is proposed in that theoretical document that the use of a technology called 'transmutation acceleration system' can shorten the decay time of nuclear waste, the utilization time of nuclear waste is quite long. long.

This is equivalent to directly locking this batch of chromium with nuclear waste.

Although the tonnage of nuclear waste accumulated in Huaguo is only over a thousand tons, this is only because the domestic nuclear power plants are enlightened relatively late.

If it is really confirmed that nuclear waste can be reused, with Huaguo's infrastructure construction speed, within five years, the annual accumulation rate of nuclear waste can increase to a thousand tons or even higher.

Considering other countries, the amount of chromium needed to deal with so much nuclear waste is unimaginable.

Of course, compared to the tens of billions that countries currently spend to deal with nuclear waste and there is no good way to deal with it, this is really worth it.

But from another perspective, the price is indeed expensive enough.

Instead of this, it is better to use other cheap materials, although they are not as durable, they can be replaced.

Ma is a little troublesome, but compared to the funds needed to use chromium, it is nothing.

After thinking about this, Du Jing suddenly nodded, and said with a little shame: "I see, if this is the case, then chromium-based materials are indeed not suitable."

Xu Chuan smiled and said: "But your idea is indeed good. I will give you a chance to allocate a batch of scientific research funds to you. On this basis, you can apply for a separate laboratory and recruit two assistants. Complete research on chromium-based materials."

"After the meeting is over, you go back and write me a relevant expression, I hope you can take good care of it."

Hearing this, Du Jing opened his mouth and widened his eyes, and said ecstatically, "Thanks for the support of the professor, I will definitely complete the research on atomic cycle semiconductor materials for chromium-based materials."

In the office, everyone else cast envious eyes.

I wish I had known they were fighting to be the first to speak.

Independent laboratory, independent scientific research funds, and assistants, this treatment is no different from that of a formal researcher.

On the main seat, Xu Chuan saw everyone's expressions in his eyes, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Although he knows that chromium materials are average, the reason why he still arranges the research of chromium atomic cycle materials is not here, but the more distant controllable nuclear fusion.

On the other hand, if you want the horse to run, you have to let the horse graze.

Whether it is work or training, people must really see the rewards and hope, right?

With today's meeting, this group of researchers will do their best no matter in work or scientific research in the future, and will boldly put forward their own ideas without worrying about being ridiculed or anything.

PS: Yesterday's chapter was locked in a dark room, and some content was deleted before it was released. There will be another chapter tonight.