Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 171：Watching the Joke

The fuel tank of the rocket's propulsion system was quite large, and since the second experimental warehouse was not equipped for ignition tests, Jiang Fan instructed the team to transport the fuel over.

As the personnel from the first experimental warehouse observed the liquid, they couldn't help but mock.

"What composite solid-state fuel? This is just liquid fuel! What a display of theatrics!"

"Composite solid-state fuel can't possibly be developed so easily. Even the United States probably doesn't have the technology!"

"Four days to develop a new material? I told you it was impossible, yet you insisted on seeing it. Now they insult our intelligence by bringing liquid fuel!"

...

Not long ago, the researchers at the first experimental warehouse, having heard Jiang Fan's claim of developing a new type of composite solid-state fuel, had put aside their ongoing experiments and gathered to watch, only to be greatly disappointed. What they saw before them was not composite solid-state fuel, but an unfamiliar liquid.

Moreover, in their view, the energy released by this liquid fuel might not even surpass that of the liquid fuel they currently used.

Upon hearing the murmurs from the first warehouse personnel, the team from the second warehouse remained silent, their faces betraying only a faint, enigmatic smile. They were eager to witness the astonishment of the first warehouse team.

Gao Zhicheng turned to Jiang Fan, incredulously asking,
"Jiang Fan, please don't tell me this is the composite solid-state fuel you've developed?"

"Indeed, it is," Jiang Fan replied calmly.

"Are you trying to deceive us? This is clearly liquid fuel!"

Ignoring Gao Zhicheng's words, Jiang Fan addressed Tian Hongxuan.
"Tian Supervisor, proceed."

"Understood!"
Tian Hongxuan signaled to the more than ten researchers from the second warehouse. They began pouring the liquid fuel into the rocket's fuel tank, and then added a mysterious powder.

The researchers in the first warehouse craned their necks, curious about what was about to happen.

Before their astonished eyes, the once-red liquid fuel swiftly transformed into a dark crimson solid.

What was happening?

They stared in disbelief at this magical scene. The liquid fuel had turned solid right before their eyes. It was so incredible it seemed like something out of a magician's act!

As scientists, they all knew that to turn a liquid into a solid, two methods were generally employed: applying pressure or lowering the temperature.

The principle behind pressurizing to solidify a liquid was straightforward—if the molecular structure of a substance is tightly packed, it becomes solid. If the molecules are loosely arranged, it remains liquid. If the molecules are spaced far apart, it becomes gas. By increasing the pressure, the molecules are forced closer together, transitioning into a liquid or even a solid.

Similarly, lowering the temperature to the freezing point of a liquid would naturally cause it to solidify.

But neither pressure nor temperature change had been apparent during the transformation of this liquid into solid form, leaving the researchers in the first warehouse completely perplexed.

As the team from the second warehouse watched the stunned expressions of the first warehouse researchers, they couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph.

Gao Zhicheng and the group leaders were equally astonished. They could not help but feel curious about the underlying principles behind this transformation.

However, upon seeing the triumphant smiles of the second warehouse team, they quickly suppressed their curiosity.

Gao Zhicheng sneered and turned to his colleagues.
"The more elaborate something seems, the less practical it is. Rocket propulsion fuel requires powerful thrust, not a show."

"You're right, Chief Gao. I'm willing to bet this fuel will hardly even burn. Ha ha..." one of the group leaders chimed in.

Upon hearing their leader's words, the researchers from the first warehouse regained their rationality, convinced that it was impossible to develop a new type of fuel in such a short period. If such a fuel had indeed been developed, it would require at least three years of experimentation for the technology to mature.

With that thought in mind, they once again began to look on with disdain.

Meanwhile, the researchers from the second warehouse, with the fuel tank now prepared, began to feel the weight of anticipation. Although Jiang Fan had assured them the composite solid-state fuel was a success, they had yet to conduct an ignition test.

As the rocket's fuel tank was secured to the test apparatus, Tian Hongxuan turned to Jiang Fan.

"Chief Engineer Jiang, everything is ready. We can begin the ignition test at any time!"

"Alright," Jiang Fan responded, though a sense of nervousness crept into his heart. This was his first ignition test, and although they had followed the system's design meticulously, ensuring no theoretical issues, there was still some apprehension.

The success or failure of this test would have a significant impact on the morale of the second warehouse's researchers. If it failed, it would severely dampen their enthusiasm.

Jiang Fan, still uneasy, stepped forward and double-checked everything. After confirming there were no issues, he looked at Tian Hongxuan and said,

"Prepare to ignite."

With Jiang Fan's words, the researchers of the second warehouse focused their attention intently on the rocket propulsion system. Tian Hongxuan took a deep breath and, with a sharp press of the button, initiated the ignition sequence.