Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 78：Request for Leave

Jiang Fan was stunned upon hearing that the ITER magnetic material was fake.

Soon after, Zhou Huaide informed him that the country had dispatched two professors specializing in magnetism, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to negotiate with the United States. Initially, the American stance was extremely firm, refusing to sell any magnetic materials to China, while humiliating the Chinese negotiators. On the tenth day of the talks, the Americans finally relented, but their price for 2 tons of ITER magnetic material was a staggering 10 billion yuan.

After discussions among the nation's top leaders, it was decided to purchase the materials in order to expedite the development of controlled nuclear fusion. The two professors in magnetism thoroughly tested the materials, finding no issues. However, upon returning to China and beginning the processing, it was discovered that only the outer layer of the material was authentic ITER material, while the inside was merely ordinary magnets.

The Chinese leadership was furious and confronted the Americans, but their explanation was that the technology behind ITER magnetic materials was inherently flawed. Since China had no sample of ITER material and no established standard, they were left with no recourse after several failed negotiations.

The Chinese scientific community convened to study the materials, hoping to make a breakthrough by analyzing the outer layer of the ITER material. After two days of research, they discovered that the outer layer was no longer genuine ITER material but had been altered. They suspected that the Americans had mixed a substance into the outer layer, which would slowly react with the ITER material, effectively rendering it useless by the time it reached China.

In the end, China had paid 10 billion yuan for 2 tons of ordinary magnets, making it clear that the Americans had deliberately deceived them. Yet, they stubbornly refused to admit their wrongdoing, leaving China with no options.

Hearing this, Jiang Fan was filled with an intense rage. The United States, relying on its strength, had been utterly ruthless in their exploitation of China.

At that moment, Jiang Fan suddenly heard the sound of the system in his mind:

[System]: "Sensing the host's anger, a mission is issued. Upon the successful publication of SCI papers in the seven major academic fields, the host will receive the research blueprint for ITER magnetic material!"

Jiang Fan was ecstatic upon hearing that completing the mission would grant him the ITER material research blueprint.

He immediately opened the system's task menu in his mind.

Mission: Publish SCI papers in the seven major academic fields.

Mathematics: SCI paper not yet published.Physics: SCI paper not yet published.Biochemistry: SCI paper not yet published.Materials Science: SCI paper not yet published.Astronomy: SCI paper not yet published.Energy Science: SCI paper not yet published.Informatics: SCI paper not yet published.

As a researcher, Jiang Fan understood the significance of SCI papers. SCI (Scientific Citation Index) papers are academic papers published in journals indexed by SCI, which are renowned worldwide in the field of science. Simply put, they are papers published in prestigious scientific journals.

With the rise of economic globalization, scientific research has also become increasingly globalized. SCI papers are one of the key ways for international scientific exchange and an important channel for the world to understand China's scientific progress. Publishing SCI papers helps to showcase the country's research strength and elevates its standing in the global scientific community.

Publishing an important paper in top-tier journals like Nature or Science is akin to winning a gold medal in international sports. Of course, these journals are predominantly hosted by Western countries, and China does not have its own journal of such caliber due to its relative technological lag.

Zhou Huaide, sensing Jiang Fan's silence on the phone, knew he must be feeling down, so he comforted him:

"Jiang Fan, don't worry. I'll find a way to get the ITER magnetic materials!"

"Uncle Zhou, give me some time. I should be able to research it myself!" Jiang Fan replied.

"Really? You can do it?" Zhou Huaide was genuinely surprised and filled with confidence in Jiang Fan. He trusted Jiang Fan completely.

"Let's start by developing other subsystems for controlled nuclear fusion. Contact me if you need anything."

After giving his instructions, Jiang Fan hung up the phone.

His teacher, Long Lao, was currently working on the performance enhancement phase of the Mecha Energy Laboratory, which was progressing steadily. As for his research on lithium iron phosphate batteries, he had left the negotiations to President Lu of Longke University.

At this point, Jiang Fan's most urgent task was to complete the system's mission and obtain the ITER magnetic material blueprint. Only then would he be able to complete the development of controlled nuclear fusion within a year. Once fusion was achieved, China would quickly surpass the world in scientific technology.

Jiang Fan was confident that controlled nuclear fusion would usher humanity into a new era of scientific progress.

As for the seven major academic fields, Jiang Fan decided to start with mathematics. After all, the system had previously rewarded him with an advanced mathematical theory, and he believed no one could surpass his understanding of mathematics on Blue Star.

After making up his mind, he began to choose a topic. Since SCI papers are difficult to get accepted, writing on a typical mathematical subject would likely not attract the editors' attention.

Jiang Fan remembered his performance in the Longke University Traditional Challenge, where he proved the Riemann Hypothesis and caused quite a stir. The university president had even awarded him generously.

After much thought, Jiang Fan decided to choose one of the Millennium Prize Problems as his submission for the mathematical SCI paper, which would likely be accepted without much trouble.

He quickly searched online for the Millennium Prize Problems and chose the P vs NP problem.

After finalizing the topic, Jiang Fan called Long Lao to ask for leave. Long Lao readily agreed, knowing how hard Jiang Fan had been working on the lithium iron phosphate battery project.

Meanwhile, in the lab, Xia Xiaoyu, who had been working tirelessly with Jiang Fan on the lithium iron phosphate battery, was hoping for a break. But as soon as Jiang Fan proposed another enhancement to the battery, she and the team were forced to continue their grueling experiments.

Just then, Long Lao entered the lab with a beaming smile. Xia Xiaoyu, noticing his cheerful demeanor, quickly seized the opportunity and said:

"Academician Long, I was thinking...!"

Long Lao, sensing her hesitation, knew she was trying to avoid work. He put on a stern face and said, "Speak up. What is it?"

"I... I was hoping to take half a day off?"

"No! You're young and full of energy. This is the time to focus on your research. Use your time wisely."

After being reprimanded by Long Lao, Xia Xiaoyu reluctantly returned to her work.

Noticing that Jiang Fan hadn't arrived yet, she asked, "Huh! Why isn't Jiang Fan here yet?"

Long Lao, without looking up from the beaker he was holding, replied, "He called earlier and took the day off."