Chapter 251 Invitation from Clay Mathematics Institute
After arranging relevant research and development, the work of the Nuclear Energy Research Institute has officially entered the second stage.
With this group of researchers, Xu Chuan devoted his energy to the research and development of new semiconductor materials.
If you simply copy the material in your mind, it won't actually take too long.
Give him enough materials and equipment, and two or three assistants, and he can produce the corresponding finished product in about twenty days at most.
This is because the manufacturing process of semiconductor materials is relatively complicated. If it were the previous protective materials, he could finish it in ten days.
After all, the mechanism technology of nuclear energy beta radiation energy concentration and conversion into electrical energy was the result of his first Nobel Prize in his previous life. He is very clear about every detail and has an indelible memory in his mind.
Simply replicating it doesn't actually take much time, money and materials for him.
You can directly take out the results of your previous life and just know all the best routes to synthesize the materials as if you were cheating the whole process. There is no other research and development process or any other experimental data. This is too weird.
Materials research and development is not like solving mathematical problems. Mathematics only requires you to publish the proof process. As for how much work you did before writing the proof process, most people don't care. You only need to be able to explain the doubts of your peers.
enough.
But every step and every piece of data in materials research and development is recorded in equipment and data, and these things are of high value.
Of course, the process of solving mathematical problems also has high value, but this value is more personal.
On the other hand, I took this opportunity to collect some material data for computational chemistry modeling.
Computational chemistry models require huge amounts of experimental data on chemical materials, which is why Xuchuan teamed up with two top universities, Shuimu and Nanjing University.
If possible, wait until the model is initially completed and then go to other top universities to borrow their chemical experiment databases.
Including Princeton, it would be great if you can borrow it.
In addition, the one billion project scientific research funds are still the first batch, so there is no way it will be used, right?
Although he did not do much research in China in his previous life, he still knew the allocation methods and usage process of domestic scientific research funds.
After all, he followed Academician Chen Zhengping during his university and doctoral studies. He was often exposed to various experiments and was responsible for many projects.
In a sense, there is something strange or interesting about domestic scientific research funding.
Limited by the expenditure system of domestic scientific research funds, if there is still scientific research diameter remaining when the project is completed, not only will no one praise you, but you may be criticized.
Although usually the project can be completed before all the funds are spent, it does not necessarily mean that all the funds are spent before the project can be completed.
After all, it is difficult to spend all the project funds just right, and there will usually be a surplus or shortage.
But if after the completion of your project, there is still a lot of scientific research funds left, for example, if you apply for a one million fund, and there is more than 20% left after the completion of the project, there is an 80-90% chance that you will be charged for refunding it.
Batch.
On the one hand, the reason lies in some deep-rooted ideas in China.
For example, you can only do things if you can spend money, but you won't be able to do anything without spending money; as long as you can produce results, it's okay to spend a lot of money, and no one will say you're wasting scientific research funds.
On the other hand, having so much leftover shows that your budget control is unreasonable.
If you still have a large amount of balance that has not been used up after the project is completed, the person in charge of the review may blame you for why you applied for so many in the first place, and didn't you do any planning and calculation?
Then they will make a note for you in the notebook. Next time you apply for scientific research funds, they may give you a discount or something. For example, if you apply for one million, you will be approved for 800,000. This is not unusual.
matter.
Of course, these are all for ordinary professors or scientific researchers.
For an academician-level veteran, no one will say anything if there is a balance of scientific research funds. Instead, they will think that you are saving money for the country.
As for Xu Chuan himself, he will not take the scientific research funds approved by the state into his own pocket, and he has no intention of saving money. As long as the corresponding money is used where it should be used, it will be fine.
Whether it is cultivating talents for the country or building a computational chemistry mathematical model, these are necessary expenses.
........
The busy days in the laboratory passed very quickly. In the blink of an eye, it was the beginning of December of the lunar calendar. If we count the solar calendar, it was already January of the new year 2019.
On this day, Xu Chuan had just finished breakfast and was about to change his lab coat and enter the laboratory when a call came to his mobile phone.
I took out my phone and looked at it. It was President Liu Gaojun of Nanjing University calling.
"Hey, Professor Xu, I didn't disturb your research." The phone was connected and a smiling voice came from the other end.
Xu Chuan smiled and said, "I was just about to enter the laboratory. Principal, your call was really accurate."
"Fortunately, if you go in now, I guess I have to wait until noon." Liu Gaojun laughed on the other end of the phone.
This person has become famous throughout the academic world for not even answering the Nobel Prize call when entering the laboratory.
Xu Chuan smiled and asked: "Principal, do you have anything to do with me?"
"Well, it's like this. This year has passed again, and many outstanding students have been born here in the school. Isn't the winter vacation coming soon? The annual outstanding person selection event held by the school will be held in two days.
Let’s start. I don’t know if it’s inconvenient for you to be here. When the time comes, come over and give an award to the students in our school, give a message of encouragement or something like that?”
"So it's this. I thought the school was going to give me an award." Xu Chuan suddenly understood and said with a smile.
"If you want, we can also arrange a best professor award for you." Liu Gaojun joked on the other end of the phone with a smile.
Xu Chuan's face turned red, he couldn't help coughing twice, and said: "Ahem, let's forget it. This is not a joke."
Isn't it shameful for a Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winner to compete with a group of college students and university professors for awards?
Moreover, after he returned to China in August this year, although he was awarded the title of professor at Nanjing University, he never taught a single class. The school awarded him the best professor, which is proper... Tsk tsk, it’s hard to say.
Already.
After a pause, he continued: "When is the specific time? I'll check my arrangements here."
Liu Gaojun: "Just two days later, on January 10th, after this meeting, the school will almost have its winter vacation."
Xu Chuan thought for a moment and said, "That shouldn't be a problem. I'll go back on the 10th."
Liu Gaojun smiled and said: "Then I'll trouble you."
.......
After hanging up the phone, Xu Chuan stuffed his phone into his pocket and put on his white coat.
Speaking of which, it seems that after he came back after winning the Nobel Prize, he had not given a lecture or anything at Nantah University. Although Nantah University didn't mention it, it was just right to go back this time.
Shaking his head, Xu Chuan retracted his thoughts. Just as he was about to walk into the laboratory, the phone in his pocket vibrated again.
This made him a little curious, how could someone call him on time when he was at work?
I took out my cell phone and saw an unfamiliar number on the caller ID. Looking at the beginning, it seemed to be from the country across from my feet.
After thinking for a while, he still answered the phone.
Gently swiping his thumb across the screen, Xu Chuan asked: "Hello, hello, who are you?"
"Hello, Professor Xu, I am James Carlson, the director of the Clay Mathematics Institute. I hope I haven't disturbed you." A middle-aged man's voice came from the other side of the phone.
After hearing the other party's self-introduction, Xu Chuan immediately understood and said with a smile: "Hello, Professor Carlson."
"I'm glad to call you. I wonder if it's convenient for you to call now." James Carlson asked with a smile.
"Of course." Xu Chuan nodded and responded. He probably understood what the other party wanted from him.
Opposite me, Carlson cleared his throat, and then said solemnly: "Dear Professor Xu Chuan, I am James Carlson, the director of the Clay Mathematics Institute and the chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee."
"Based on the review opinions of the six reviewers who reviewed the paper on the proof of Hodge's conjecture, as well as the opinions of the International Mathematical Union and the submission target "Annals of Mathematics", and after one year of precipitation, we believe that you have completed the review of the seven papers.
Proof of one of the great millennium puzzles, 'Hodge's standard conjecture'."
"The solution to this problem will greatly promote the development and application of mathematics. We sincerely thank you for your contribution to the mathematics community and even the scientific development of the world."
"Therefore, after a vote by all members of the Clay Institute's Board of Directors and Council, you will receive one million meters of gold prepared by the Clay Institute of Mathematics in advance."
"The awards will be held on January 20, 2019, at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. We look forward to your arrival. The relevant invitation letter and detailed emails have been sent to your email, please check them in time...
"
On the phone, James Carlson told Xu Chuan what he expected, but it was also somewhat unexpected.
"Wait a minute, I remember that the Clay Mathematics Institute's award ceremony for the seven millennium problems was not held at the Collège de France in Paris? Why was it moved to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton this time?"
Listening to Carlson's words, Xu Chuan curiously interrupted him and asked.
On the opposite side, James Carlson smiled and replied: "On the one hand, of course, it is to make this event even bigger. I believe that we, holding it at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, will make this century ceremony even more glorious!"
"On the other hand, don't you think that the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton today is the real holy place of mathematics?"
“Although the Collège de France in Paris was once brilliant, it is in the past, and now the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton is the crowning glory.”
"Every solution to the seven millennium problems deserves an award from the top mathematics academy."
Xu Chuan nodded and said: "So that's it."
Carlson smiled and said: "Yes, and Princeton is also your alma mater, so after comprehensive consideration, we have moved the award venue to the United States. We look forward to your arrival."
Xu Chuan: "I will consider it."
........
After hanging up the phone, Xu Chuan shook his head.
The award ceremony for the Seven Millennium Problems will be moved from the Collège de France in Paris to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. This is Sima Zhao's intention and everyone knows it.
Perhaps the Clay Mathematics Institute really wants to make this award ceremony more grand and glorious, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton is also happy to accept this award ceremony. After all, it is the honor of the seven millennium problems.
But the idea of moving the award ceremony location is definitely not the Clay Institute's own.
It is impossible for them to break the rules they have set. Anyone with this energy can guess it with their toes.
If he goes, he will definitely not come back.
Not to mention that the award ceremony was moved from the Collège de France in Paris to the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Even if the award ceremony was still at the original place, he would not be able to go out.
A Nobel Prize medal may allow him to take a risk with China, but the Cray Mathematics Prize does not have that qualification. One million meters of gold sounds like a lot, even close to the Nobel Prize bonus, but it lacks the honor bonus.
Well, that's actually it.
........
Shaking his head, Xu Chuan hung up the phone and stuffed the phone back into his pocket.
There was a voice in my ear: "Professor, I just heard about the Clay Mathematics Institute and the seven millennium problems, as well as one million meters of gold or something. Is it the Hodge conjecture? Are you going to receive the award?
?”
He turned around and saw a young researcher next to him looking at him curiously and expectantly.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Nodding, Xu Chuan replied: "Indeed, the Clay Mathematics Institute just called me and invited me to come and receive the award."
"Wow! That's amazing, Professor! When will I receive the award? Will it be broadcast live like the Nobel Prize ceremony?" The young researcher wowed and then asked excitedly.
Xu Chuan shook his head and said, "But I'm not going to go."
Hearing this, the young researcher was stunned for a moment and asked in surprise: "Why? Is this a grand prize of one million meters of gold?"
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "Because I don't have time."
"These are the Seven Millennium Problems. Professor, are you really not going to go?" the young researcher asked with an incredulous look on his face.
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "Yes, but it has been solved, hasn't it? Its honor comes from itself, not an award."
"Just like Perreman, even if he didn't go to receive the award, no one can deny that he solved the Poincare conjecture."
"Okay, let's get ready for work. Work harder these days and try to get the second-stage semiconductor materials out as soon as possible. We can also take the annual vacation early and get more rest."
Hearing this, the young researcher opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak. However, after mumbling for a while, he said nothing more and turned around and entered the laboratory.
Xu Chuan smiled and did not tell the other party the truth about why he was not going to accept the award. After all, there were still many scholars who wanted to study abroad, so it was not appropriate to make the relationship too tense.
In comparison, he now hopes to finish the work at hand as soon as possible.
If everything goes well, the second phase of semiconductor materials can probably be completed around the New Year. As for testing, it will depend on whether anyone in the research institute is willing to stay on duty during the Chinese New Year.
If there is, you can do some testing during the Chinese New Year; if not, you can wait until after the new year.
He can quite clearly distinguish between work and life.
Although I often stay up late and work overtime, I still need to take a good rest during the Chinese New Year, at least to spend time with my family.
As for the Clay Mathematics Institute’s awards, I’ll reply to them via email later in the evening.
If they were willing to move the award venue to China, he would still be willing to receive the award. After all, if they gave him one million meters in gold, it wouldn't be in vain.
