Orion Crest, Series_1

Chapter 197: Scientific story with romantic flavour

　　A month has passed since Orion's paper appeared in JACS, and the debate about theoretical models of electrochemical interfacial structures has intensified.

　　It was the Science magazine, which favoured Orion's research, that really pushed this concern out of the theoretical chemistry community and into the mathematical world as a whole. Although his paper was not submitted to Science because it was too specialised, Science still gave it a "highlight".

　　Not only that, in Science, the famous theoretical chemist, the 2013 Nobel Prize winner, Professor Martin Karplus of Harvard University, was invited to write a scientific review, commenting on the research results.

　　"...... I've always had my eye on his papers, but I didn't expect his results to be born so quickly. There is no doubt that this is a great research result. And my personal opinion about the correctness of this research result is quite optimistic. Because it answered quite a few questions about electrochemical interfaces that I still hold confusion about."

　　"Up to now, the Nobel Prize has only honoured the field of computational chemistry twice. But I am sure that in the near future, the Nobel glory will once again be bestowed on this young field."

　　Prior to this, Martin Karplus was awarded the 2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his outstanding contributions to multiscale simulation methods for the design of complex molecular systems by proposing the Karplus equation for the relationship between coupling constants and dihedral angles.

　　As one of the few mathematically proficient theoretical chemists, Karplus has made outstanding contributions in a variety of fields, including quantum chemistry, biomolecules, and molecular dynamics modelling.

　　It is for this reason that the publication of this article immediately pushed the attention of the original paper to the peak.

　　In particular, the influence of Science itself, one of the two world-class top journals, made many scholars outside the field of chemistry, and even the public, aware of the paper.

　　And it was at the same time that a photo went viral on Columbia University's Twittersphere.

　　It was a figure standing in front of a thinker.

　　In the accompanying picture, there was only one line of text-

　　"Mortal eyes see a bronze statue, and he sees the universe."

　　This photograph was taken a month ago.

　　It is said to have been taken by a Doctor of Philosophy, casually on his way back to his hostel flat.

　　According to the doctor's own account, he just thought it was interesting to see a man standing in front of the "Thinker" for so long, so he took a picture of it casually.

　　Even he didn't realise that the tweet would be rehashed a month later, and that it would go viral.

　　In fact, the tweet didn't attract much attention at the time, and it wasn't until the 2013 Nobel Prize winner's scientific commentary in Science that the photo took on a very different meaning.

　　Or even, brought a touch of legend to it.

　　Like Newton, although everyone knows that the formula for gravity could never have been told to him by an apple, a story that gives serious science a romantic flavour is often more accessible to the public. Standing in front of the bronze statue of the Thinking and being inspired to create a new chemistry in his mind is a story that clearly fits these elements.

　　Orion doesn't know what's going on Twitter, however, except that lately he's been getting recognised more and more as he walks around Columbia's campus, with people coming up to him to shake his hand and take photos.

　　Though confused by the enthusiasm of these people, Orion is a very easy-going and talkative guy, and he basically agreed to requests that weren't too outrageous.

　　What was more interesting was that even the bronze statue, which no one had ever been interested in, was actually bustling with activity without even realising it.

　　More and more people are standing in front of it to admire it, from professors to students facing their final exams.

　　......

　　The fun was short-lived, and it was time for Orion to say goodbye to the university.

　　As he was leaving, the president of Columbia University, Professor Lee Carroll Bollinger, approached him.

　　"I can see that the students of Columbia University really like you, are you sure you won't consider staying?"

　　After a pause, Professor Bollinger slightly changed to a solemn tone and continued, "As a matter of fact, we have prepared a gift for you. However, this gift is a bit special, so we need to ask for your opinion ......"

　　Orion: "May I ask what kind of gift?"

　　"Professor Emeritus of Columbia University, which may disappoint you, it's just a title that doesn't do much good," Professor Bollinger smiled, "I wonder if you'd like to accept it?"

　　Orion froze slightly, then smiled and nodded, " It's my honour."

　　Professor Bollinger smiled back and nodded readily, "And an honour for Columbia University as well."

　　Such a title represents Columbia's recognition of his academic ability and his friendship with Columbia.

　　As part of academic capital, such things were like medals, no one could have too many.

　　After walking out of Columbia University, Orion got into his Ford Explorer.

　　Sitting in the driver's seat was Jericho, after hearing that the professor was planning to return, the young man had volunteered to drive over and take him back.

　　However, just as he was about to hit the road, a somewhat dusty looking man in a suit suddenly snapped on the front of his car.

　　Wholeheartedly confused by the suddenness of the situation, Orion instantly said fu*ck in his mind.

　　Jericho apparently froze as well, looking like he hadn't seen the world before, his foot already on the accelerator withdrawn.

　　After stopping Orion's car, the man in the suit hurriedly climbed off the bonnet and walked quickly to the door. Looking at Orion, who was getting out of the car, he pleaded with a handful of tears.

　　"Please, for God's sake, let me go."

　　Orion looked at him, a little puzzled.

　　"Speak slowly, there's no hurry, who are ...... you?"

　　Orion subconsciously looked around, there were indeed quite a few passing students, casting their eyes this way.

　　"I ...... "The man in the suit had a somewhat embarrassed expression, hesitated for a moment, and finally bit his teeth and said, "I am Ricardo ...... used to work at your institute once."

　　Once he heard this name, Orion suddenly dawned.

　　Smiling broadly, Orion said, "I thought something was wrong, don't worry, I have already withdrawn my case against you."

　　Although he did get a bit angry at first. But now that so much time had passed, not to mention that this man had done himself such a great favour, he had long since stopped taking this matter to heart.

　　As a result, what Orion didn't expect was that after hearing the withdrawal, Ricardo's expression became even more sorrowful.

　　"No, please don't ever do that! Please go ahead and prosecute me! Please!"

　　Orion: ......? What?