Author: September Sauce

(There will be another chapter later, my health is getting better soon)

"The US is deploying new energy-containing materials. Will there be major changes in the energy landscape in the future?"

"What is a total nitrogen anion salt? What will its emergence bring?"

"More pragmatic! Compared with metallic hydrogen, total nitrogen anion salts may achieve results faster."

"Is this a step too far? Is the deployment of metallic hydrogen a high-level position, or is it just a matter of great success?"

After the press conference on total nitrogen anion salts was held, global media quickly followed up, and China’s ongoing metallic hydrogen project was also pushed to the forefront.

Whether objective or not, everyone's views on the metallic hydrogen project are surprisingly consistent, that is:

At this stage, it does seem a bit ahead of schedule to engage in metallic hydrogen.

Of course, it is not that there are no people who support the metallic hydrogen project. On the forum, discussions on this topic have steadily occupied the highest level of popularity.

"So in the field of energetic materials, we have decided to take the metallic hydrogen route? I always feel that this thing is not very useful, and the synthesis is difficult, and its practicality is far inferior to that of total nitrogen anion salts."

"Are you talking nonsense? You are right that it is difficult to synthesize, but you are talking nonsense when you say it is not very useful."

"Not to mention how much room-temperature superconductivity can bring about improvements in power transmission technology and how many steps it can take mankind to take in the energy field. Even if it is used as fuel, explosives, and metallic hydrogen, its performance is extremely amazing."

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

"Secondly, when used as fuel, metallic hydrogen fuel can achieve single-stage rockets into orbit without any pressure. The aerospace industry will have significant development, and mankind may directly enter a new space age."

"Generally speaking, the prospects of metallic hydrogen are extremely broad. The only problem is that it is too difficult to realize."

"Essentially, this technology is similar to nuclear fusion technology."

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 it is difficult to realize metallic hydrogen, it is not so easy to achieve a full nitrogen anion salt, right?"

"I remember that Nanjing Institute of Technology has actually been doing research in this area. Their predecessors were specialized in explosives. It has been 10 years since the project was established and there has been no progress yet. What do you think the United States wants to do? Are you kidding me?

Woolen cloth?"

"Indeed, the five-membered nitrogen ring is extremely unstable. Even a weak oxidant can cause its decomposition. Currently, all institutions at home and abroad cannot cut off the C-N bond while maintaining the integrity of the five-membered nitrogen ring. In this case

Now, it’s really a bit of a dream to talk about making total nitrogen anion salts.”

"Didn't America synthesize total nitrogen cation salts before? I remember it was in 1998. What's the difference between the two?"

"The N5ˉ ion in the total nitrogen anion salt has a ring structure. The electrons on the five nitrogen atoms are delocalized and conjugated, which makes the N5ˉ ion ring have a certain aromaticity. The total nitrogen cation N5+ previously synthesized in the United States is chain-like and stable.

Far inferior to total nitrogen anion salt.”

"Furthermore, hydrofluoric acid is used in the synthesis process of total nitrogen cation salts. I don't need to tell you how dangerous this thing is."

"But despite this, in general, the total nitrogen anion salt is still easier than the metallic hydrogen, right?"

"Well, no matter what, what the American said is right. It is very likely that after we develop metallic hydrogen, the world will already be dominated by total nitrogen anion salts."

"Aren't you alarmist? New things will always eliminate old things, and metallic hydrogen will also eliminate total nitrogen anion salts."

"Technology will be eliminated, but order is difficult to break. There is no point in talking about this. Let's read the official announcement."

"I hope we can take both paths at the same time, but cost is a big problem."

Chengdu, in the office.

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

"Nowadays, 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 it because the effects of our previous science popularization projects are beginning to show? Or do they already understand?"

"They are all there - the main reason is the development of Internet technology, which has made information exchange easier."

Chen Nian smiled and replied, then continued:

"But in any case, ordinary people's views on these two technologies are still limited."

"They only see the effects of the results, but they don't see the side effects of the research and development process."

“If you simply consider the revenue expectations based on the ‘probability of R&D success’ and ‘impact of finished product’, total nitrogen anion salts may indeed be higher than metallic hydrogen.”

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

"So in summary, even at this point in time, it is more cost-effective to produce metallic hydrogen than to produce total nitrogen anion salts."

Chen Guo nodded slightly, thought for a moment, and then said:

"Speaking of this, after the development of metallic hydrogen, what are the application directions?"

"First of all, we must make a fuss about superconducting properties - the transmission network must be comprehensively updated based on this."

"After the loss of power transmission is reduced, we will be able to achieve overtaking in the energy field and gradually replace traditional fossil energy with new electric energy."

"Secondly, superconducting suspended trains are also an important direction. Now that our high-speed rail technology has basically taken shape, the next step is to pursue faster and safer railway transportation."

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

"This area is very complicated, and I don't have much confidence in it in a short period of time."

Chen Nian was not being modest when he said this.

When he first tried to analyze it, he had already discovered that the source points required for metal hydrogen batteries are more than twice as high as those of pure metal hydrogen materials.

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

"If you're not sure, just take your time. This is already advanced enough."

Chen Guo said comfortingly.

"However, what the Americans did to us is really disgusting - we make metallic hydrogen, and they make total nitrogen anion salts."

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

"Don't worry, it's impossible to let them take the lead."

Chen Nian answered decisively.

"Don't think it's so easy as they say, but it will take them at least two or three years to come up with a total nitrogen anion salt."

"But I dare not say that we are mass-producing it here. If it is just made in the laboratory, give me two months, which is enough."

"Two months?!"

Chen Guo was shocked.

"Is it that fast? Can it be achieved?"

"Of course."

Chen Nian said confidently:

"The carbon nanotube technology is fully mature, and the diamond felt is already in place. We have completed all the preliminary steps. What is lacking now is just to integrate these technologies to achieve the final result."

Two days later, in the comprehensive laboratory of the Metal Hydrogen Project Team of the Hefei Institute of Physical Sciences.

Isaac walked around the laboratory curiously, and the experimenters around him looked at him equally curiously.

Of course, this is not the first time that foreign faces have appeared in this institute. When the Plasma Research Institute was working on the proton cyclotron project, a large number of scientists from all over the world gathered here, not to mention the more open-minded

Medical materials projects.

This has never been a closed-door place, on the contrary, it is extremely open and eclectic.

The reason why everyone is curious is because of the "ownership" spirit shown by Isaac.

He does not seem to regard himself as a "consultant", but as the leader of the project - at least, as a key member of the project.

"A square space of at least 3*3 meters must be reserved here. As you can see, the position of the diamond felt equipment in the middle is fixed. We need a space to serve as a manual operation platform, especially to lay out shooting equipment."

"In fact, it is impossible for us to stably produce metallic hydrogen now, and even if it is produced, it may not be preserved, so it is especially important to take pictures and preserve evidence."

"And here, this is the space reserved for industrial air coolers. Don't place them in the main passage. This will have a great impact on the overall efficiency of the laboratory."

"By the way, I think the rules of the laboratory can be changed slightly, and specialized personnel can be responsible for dust-free management. Of course, they can take turns."

As he spoke, he pointed everywhere, as if he had truly regarded this place as his "home" for long-term development.

——

And coupled with his bad accent, this scene becomes even more ridiculous.

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

"From the perspective of subsequent experimental uses, 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 indeed a good suggestion, and we will consider implementing it."

"That's right!"

Isaac nodded with satisfaction and then continued:

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

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