Chapter 566 Layout for the Future

Seeing the solemn expression on the old man's face, Lu Zhou who was lying on the hospital bed was slightly stunned, then smiled and said.

"There is no need to thank you. I just did what I should do as a scholar."

For him, studying those difficult issues is a very interesting thing in itself.

It's like solving a math problem.

Whether it's the exploration and thinking about the unknown, or the refreshment of finally getting out of the maze, all these really make him feel happy.

No matter what others think, at least he thinks so.

And never changed.

Therefore, even without the encouragement of system missions and the expectations pinned on him, after seeing the dawn of controllable fusion, he will do his best to bring it to this world.

It's just that if there is no pressure, all of this probably wouldn't happen so quickly...

The old man looked moved, and sighed softly: "It is really an honor for the country to have a scholar like Mr.!"

Lu Zhou said humbly: "You are serious. Without the cooperation of other people and the support of various departments, it is absolutely impossible to achieve such an achievement with my own strength."

The old man smiled and said nothing.

Although the Manhattan Project was the result of the joint efforts of thousands of people, no one can ignore the importance of Oppenheimer.

After pausing for a moment, he spoke.

"No matter what, you are a hero of the Republic. If you have any requirements, please let me know."

After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhou smiled and said, "It's more like a suggestion than a request."

The old man's face adjusted slightly, and he said seriously: "Professor Lu, please tell me."

Lu Zhou: "The breakthrough of controllable fusion technology, while bringing about changes in productivity, is bound to have an impact on the traditional energy industry. If the contradictions are not properly handled, these contradictions are likely to become obstacles to social change."

Hearing this sentence, the old man smiled faintly: "Professor Lu, don't worry, we don't have such a problem."

different from Western countries.

In China, there is no real "energy giant".

Whether it is Sanbarrel or State Grid, although they are enterprises in name, in essence, whether they are the top leader or the second leader, the first attribute of their identity is not a capitalist.

After all, the socialist market economy does not completely serve capital.

In the face of higher interests, any interests below this have only two paths to choose from. Either follow the trend of history, or be thrown under the wheel of history.

This includes, but is not limited to, capital.

Hearing the old man's words, Lu Zhou nodded clearly.

Now that he has considered it, there is no need for him to say more.

How to balance the interests of all parties, how to properly arrange practitioners in the coal power industry, these topics belong to the category of sociology and economics, he doesn't really want to talk too much, and he believes that there are more people in the Academy of Social Sciences than He is more of an expert in this field.

What he is interested in, and what he is responsible for, is just research.

Therefore, if the first question is just a casual mention, then the second question is what he really wants to talk about.

After a pause, Lu Zhou continued, "The second thing is about controllable fusion itself."

The old man said seriously: "Professor Lu, please speak."

Leaning on the soft pillow and staring at the ceiling of the ward, Lu Zhou simply sorted out his thoughts in his mind, and said slowly: "Currently, the fuel for controllable fusion is deuterium-tritium. After solving the problem of tritium self-sustaining, controllable fusion The technology has the basis for commercialization. However, no matter how high the self-sustaining efficiency is, the loss of tritium will still inevitably occur."

"Therefore, there is also a view in the academic circles, that is to use deuterium and helium 3 as reactants to carry out fusion reactions. Since D and helium 3 undergo fusion to produce electrons instead of neutrons, so for reactor materials The loss is lower and more energy can be released."

A little unable to keep up with Lu Zhou's train of thought, the old man frowned slightly: "Helium 3?"

Lu Zhou nodded: "If you can't understand, you can understand the DT fusion reactor we are using now as burning coal, and the helium trimer as burning oil."

This can be said to be a relatively abstract metaphor.

Although it is not rigorous academically, it is easy for ordinary people to understand.

The old man: "The helium-3 fusion you mentioned may not be so easy to realize."

Lu Zhou smiled: "That's for sure."

The more charges the nucleus carries, the greater the Coulomb repulsion, and the greater the kinetic energy required for the nucleus to approach, that is, the smaller the reaction cross section.

According to theoretical calculations, it is shown that the cross section of deuterium-tritium fusion reaction is several tens of times that of deuterium-helium 3 fusion reaction. And this also means that if you want to achieve the Lawson's criterion of fusion reaction, it may mean a high temperature of billions of degrees for helium triple fusion.

In terms of existing technical means, it is probably impossible to use helium 3 as fuel for fusion reactors.

Therefore, helium triple fusion is also generally regarded as an ideal fuel for second-generation fusion.

The old man was silent for a while, and asked: "The cost of generating electricity from the DT fusion reactor is low enough, and it will be inexhaustible for hundreds of years. Is it necessary for us to develop this helium-III resource now?"

Lu Zhou: "I think it is still necessary."

Old man: "Oh?"

Lu Zhou said succinctly: "The helium trifusion reaction will not produce neutrons, and it is safer than the deuterium-tritium reaction. From an engineering point of view, this is also the only possibility to realize the miniaturization and weight reduction of the fusion reactor. Another On the one hand, now that the controllable fusion reactor has been ignited, and the feasible technical route and solutions are clear, the next country that masters controllable fusion technology will be born in the latest 20 years.”

Now is not the pre-industrial age. In the information age, no technology can be kept secret forever.

Even if other people may not be as good as STAR-2 in terms of control schemes and radiation-resistant materials, they can still be close to a limited extent. Just like the atomic bomb, the road of latecomers will always be smoother than that of the pioneers.

The way to maintain an advantage has never been by locking the door, but by always walking in front of others.

Hearing this sentence, the old man showed a serious expression on his face, and continued to ask: "What is your suggestion?"

Lu Zhou said seriously: "Restart the manned moon landing plan."

Of course, just going to the moon is not enough.

It would be better to build a permanent research station on it, or even an outpost of colonizing space, or even a city...

A little unable to keep up with Lu Zhou's jumping thinking, the old man hesitated a little, and then said with a smile: "Why is it suddenly brought up to the sky?"

Lu Zhou smiled and explained: "The reserves of helium-III resources on the earth are extremely scarce and are not suitable for industrial fuels, but they are quite abundant on the moon. If we want to lead forever, we must run forever In front of others. Whether it's technically, or the resources themselves."

Hearing this, the old man nodded thoughtfully.

Seeing that the old man seemed to understand what he wanted to express, Lu Zhou continued while the iron was hot.

"The energy problem has been solved, and we've got our tickets to the space age ten or even twenty years earlier. Now the New World is in front of us, and we're closer to it than anyone else. If we leave it there and leave it alone It's such a pity." Lu Zhou smiled, and his tone gradually brought a bit of fascination, "The current interests are important, but on this basis, we should also look to the more distant future."

"Just above our heads, sooner or later, there will become the Persian Gulf in the new century. Not only energy, but also inexhaustible minerals. From the earth-moon system to the more distant galaxy, it will become our gateway to the universe. The springboard. Whoever controls it means that he controls the entire star system and the future!"

Compared with international politics and financial markets, as a scholar, Lu Zhou is naturally more concerned about the more distant future.

Although the blueprint in his heart may not be realized in this era, this does not prevent him from doing something for it.

He believes that one day he will see it.

Even if he can't see it, someone will see it for him.

A part of his heart seemed to be touched. The old man looked at Lu Zhou and said seriously, "We will seriously consider your proposal."

Glancing at his watch, he saw that the time was almost up, so he stood up from the stool.

At this moment, the old man suddenly thought of something, so he changed into a chatty tone, smiled calmly and said, "Originally I came to visit the patient specially, but I didn't expect to talk to the patient for an hour about important national affairs. .Speaking of which, isn't Professor Lu going to think about it for himself?"

Lu Zhou: "Myself?"

Old man: "Yes."

From the beginning, he asked Lu Zhou himself if there was anything he wanted.

As long as it is within the scope of his ability, he will find a way to satisfy his wishes.

However, the young man in front of him was once again beyond his expectations.

Staring at the ceiling and thinking for a while, Lu Zhou smiled and said: "This question is too difficult, I really don't have any special needs... In fact, I don't lack anything in my current life. If the only thing I have is If you wish, besides the research itself, it is probably to see that my own research results can be used properly."

With a slightly moved expression, the old man solemnly promised: "I can assure you about this."

Lu Zhou smiled and said, "Well, then I can rest assured."

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Thanks to the leader of the book friend "A Little Bee" for the reward! ! !