Author: September Sauce

After completing the analysis of carbon nanotubes, Chen Nian started outputting the relevant manufacturing documents of carbon nanotubes without stopping.

In fact, there are many processes for manufacturing carbon nanotubes, the most common of which are graphite arc method, laser evaporation method and catalytic pyrolysis method.

Among them, single-walled carbon nanotubes produced by the laser evaporation method have the highest quality, but due to the high complexity of the equipment involved and the many influencing factors, its yield is the lowest.

The graphite arc method is the most primitive manufacturing method. Not only does it have low output, but the quality is also poor, and the cost is high, so there is no need to consider it at all.

The catalytic pyrolysis method is the most advanced of the three methods, has the lowest output cost, and is the easiest to achieve mass production.

Its essence is to decompose carbon atoms when the gas containing carbon flows through the surface of the catalyst nanoparticles, and generate carbon nanotubes on the surface of the catalyst.

Continuing to subdivide, the catalytic pyrolysis method is divided into matrix method and floating method depending on the way the catalyst exists. However, no matter which method, the gas flow rate, reaction temperature and catalyst type must be strictly controlled.

This is the core difficulty why China cannot achieve large-scale production of carbon nanotubes.

After all, these variables that need to be controlled are not static, but need to be controlled in real time with a complete dynamic model.

The process of outputting a dynamic model is a process of continuous trial and error.

In Chen Nian's impression, domestic laboratory manufacturing of carbon nanotubes was actually achieved in 2001, but before 2007, the industrialization process of carbon nanotubes was almost stagnant.

It was not until 2010, after research institutes led by Tsinghua University released a series of patents, that the carbon nanotube industry officially started.

Therefore, what I do, to put it bluntly, is to bypass Tsinghua University and directly put mature technologies into the market.

After determining the target, Chen Nian picked up the phone without hesitation and dialed Chen Guo's number.

After getting through, he said:

"Professor Chen, I have a set of technical documents on the large-scale mass production of carbon nanotubes here, and I want to put them on the market through the Office of Civil Development."

"I will send you the document later, please help with it."

Hearing Chen Nian's words, Chen Guo on the other end of the phone couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

What the hell?

Didn’t you go to Institute 603 to supervise the development progress of H-20?

Why are carbon nanotubes suddenly involved again?

Besides, it’s only been a few days?

I never heard you say you were going to produce new materials before. In just a few days, the documents have been released?

——

Although I have long been accustomed to Chen Nian's surprises from time to time, it seems that every time, I am still shocked by him.

Chen Guo took two deep breaths and calmed down before asking:

"Why did you suddenly think of making carbon nanotubes? We actually have this thing. It is one of the previous extension technologies for graphene materials. The research at Tsinghua University is also relatively advanced."

"But they haven't come up with specific processes for large-scale mass production yet, and I can't wait for them that long."

Chen Nian interrupted Chen Guo and said firmly.

"I understand. Do you have any technology that requires large-scale use of carbon nanotubes?"

This is the only possibility that Chen Guo can think of - of course, it is also the possibility that best suits Chen Nian's character.

After all, every time before, when Chen Nian launched a sprint for a certain technology, he would solve all the pre-existing problems of that technology.

He is not a person who rushes, but a person who opens the way.

A "technical climbing" route, after he walked it, there would be no more ups and downs for future generations.

"Yes, I want to develop metal hydrogen batteries."

"???You say it again, what are you doing??"

Chen Guo was shocked.

Metallic hydrogen? Batteries?!

Anyone with basic scientific literacy knows how difficult this thing is technically. In the decades since it was proposed, it has only existed in theory.

This is completely different from things like the J-22 and J-20B.

After all, no matter how difficult the J-22 is, it can still be regarded as a complex combination based on existing technologies and does not involve the lowest level of technological changes.

If metallic hydrogen can really be realized, it will set off a storm in the entire material technology system.

It is not even certain that it may trigger a new round of scientific revolution.

But this kind of technique, in Chen Nian's mouth, was as understated as frying a plate of side dishes.

Noticing Chen Guo's reaction, Chen Nian quickly explained:

"Professor Chen, I want to develop a metal hydrogen battery, but I can't make it right now."

"To be precise, I am laying the foundation for metal hydrogen batteries."

"You see, if the diamond felt method is used to produce metallic hydrogen, high-strength carbon nanotubes will inevitably become consumables, and we need enough output to support the development of the entire industry."

".Although I don't understand the specific technology, I can probably understand the steps you said."

Chen Guo breathed a sigh of relief and then continued:

"So what you are saying is that you should regard metal hydrogen batteries as a long-term goal, and continue to solve the difficulties on the technical path in the process, right?"

"right!"

Chen Nian replied immediately.

“This is the most cost-effective technical route I have recently discovered.”

"Look, if you want to make a metallic hydrogen battery, you must first make metallic hydrogen."

"To create metallic hydrogen, we need to solve carbon nanotubes, artificial diamonds, artificial high pressure, and may even involve high-energy targeted lasers."

"Every technology here can play a role in many fields."

"The simplest example is that high-energy targeted laser is the only way to achieve inertial confinement nuclear fusion. With its technology accumulation, it will be much easier for us to engage in nuclear fusion in the future."

"In addition, carbon nanotubes are the same. They can not only be used as high-strength materials, but also optimize battery performance. Even if we use sulfur anode materials in the future, the participation of carbon nanotubes will still be efficient."

Chen Nian kept introducing his technical blueprint, while Chen Guo became more and more frightened as he listened.

To put it in a sentence that has already been said badly

This boy has big plans!

He is not just satisfied with those "ordinary" "modern technologies".

What he really wants to do is to bring into this world those technologies that should appear far in the future.

It seems that a month ago, he was still paying attention to things like high-speed rail, aircraft carriers, and bombers.

But now, his goals have begun to extend to metallic hydrogen, nuclear fusion, and space elevators.

Although it is obvious that the realization of these things will take a long time.

But Chen Guo always had a feeling.

That is, as long as Chen Nian is here, the realization of these technologies that now seem like "myths" will be the inevitable result.

After a full ten minutes, Chen Nian finally finished explaining his idea.

At this end, Chen Guo nodded solemnly, and then said:

"Just do it with confidence and boldness."

"I will get you all the resources you want at any cost!"

A few days later, the Office of Civil Development announced a major breakthrough in large-scale carbon nanotube production technology.

The public sensation caused by this news was not huge, because carbon nanotubes are no longer considered a very sophisticated technology.

What’s really surprising is the DOD’s handling of this technology.

Different from the previous disposal methods of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, this technology was not directly delegated to state-owned enterprises, but was directly licensed in the form of patents to all enterprises that have a need for such technology.

Anyone can see what the DOD is trying to do.

There is no doubt that they want to promote this technology as quickly as possible and quickly form a complete and huge industry.

His radical thinking and decisive actions have directly subverted the image of "public yamen" in many people's minds.

Then, they suddenly realized:

Such changes have actually already occurred.

It's just that the process of it happening is undercurrent, so no one noticed it at the first time.

Looking back carefully, weren't the previous domestic chip and lithography machine projects, and the previous mountain-moving project, all completed under this working mode?

Now, the Yishan project has achieved fruitful results, and the lithography machine project has gradually entered a mature period.

Under the influence of technological radiation and generalization, the beneficiaries are far more than the companies directly involved.

It can be said that as long as it is a project organized by the Office of Civil Development, it will definitely be the focus of the future economy.
To be continued...