Chapter 295: The Dean of the Princeton Chemistry Department Comes to the Door
After handling matters at the Chuanhai Materials Research Institute, Xu Chuan returned to the villa.
In the study room, he sorted out some messy information on the desk and picked up the journal mailed from the "Annals of Mathematics".
His previously submitted paper on the phased results of the NS equation has, as expected, passed the peer review of four Fields Medal winners and was published in the latest issue of the Annual Journal of Mathematics in June.
As a contributor, or as a big figure in the field of mathematics, he naturally received the journal sent by the "Annals of Mathematics".
Before he started building a mathematical model of plasma turbulence in a controllable nuclear fusion reactor, he was going to go over his thesis first.
Although these things were written by himself, recalling them from his mind and reading them from journal manuscripts are two completely different concepts.
Sometimes, by repeatedly reading what you have written, you may gain more inspiration or ideas.
Looking through the papers in his hand, Xu Chuan sipped the tea in his cup.
"Given a finite space, when the initial value is infinitely smooth, a smooth solution to the three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equation exists!"
This is the result he made last time for the NS equation.
Theoretically, this result is enough to support him in establishing a mathematical model for the turbulence of ultra-high temperature plasma in the controllable nuclear fusion reactor chamber.
After all, the chamber in a controllable nuclear fusion reactor can be regarded as a 'limited space'. But the theory is a theory, and in fact it is still not a simple matter to complete this job.
The biggest problem is to observe the high-temperature and high-pressure ion data in the reactor chamber.
This is the largest and deepest gap between the theoretical paper and the actual mathematical control model.
After all, even if you can establish a mathematical model to control high-temperature plasma, you still have to observe and collect data to make real-time adjustments, right?
Although the performance of today's supercomputers is sufficient, it is still in vain if the changes in the reactor chamber cannot be observed.
Although there are many observation methods for high-temperature and high-pressure plasma, such as laser diagnosis, interference method or holographic interference method, X-ray diagnosis, etc.
But almost none of these methods are suitable for controllable nuclear fusion reactors.
Because for the high-temperature and high-pressure plasma in the controllable nuclear fusion reactivity chamber, any small disturbance may cause unnecessary turbulence and disturbance in the plasma in the chamber.
These turbulences and disturbances are a fatal blow to the material of the first wall.
When the high-temperature and high-pressure plasma hits the first wall, it will cause serious damage to the first wall.
At present, international observations of high-temperature and high-pressure plasma in controllable nuclear fusion reactor chambers, whether it is the large-scale international cooperation ITER, the United States' LLNL, DIII-D Tokamak, or China's EAST and other equipment, are almost
They all use electromagnetic wave observation.
It is to obtain relevant plasma parameters through the electromagnetic waves emitted by the plasma itself in the reactor chamber, and thereby establish a mathematical model.
However, this observation method is not accurate and cannot see details, only the overall situation.
Just like looking at the moon with the naked eye from the ground, if the observation conditions are good and the eyesight is excellent, you can see some large structures on the moon such as large craters and maria.
But that's all. More detailed features cannot be seen.
Without seeing the details, it is unrealistic to control the plasma.
So Xu Chuan still had to find a way to solve this trouble.
In the study, Xu Chuan quietly flipped through the journals in his hands.
The paper of more than 200 pages, even after being edited by the editor of the Annual Mathematics, is still a finger thick after being printed in the journal.
"Annals of Mathematics" was quite generous to him. Two volumes were published in the June issue, and he took up an entire volume by himself.
After briefly reviewing the journal article in his hand, Xu Chuan put it aside, took out a stack of A4 paper and pen from the drawer, and at the same time opened his laptop.
When he was studying at Princeton in the first two years, he did more than just study mathematical physics with Deligne and Witten.
He also collected a large number of documents from Princeton's Flint Library.
These include many documents on plasma physics research, as well as some data and theories from the PPPL Plasma Physics Laboratory.
These things are not fully open to the public, so only people at Princeton are eligible to check and borrow them.
Thanks to his previous return from Brazil directly after the International Mathematics Conference, the documents and materials that had been downloaded and copied to his computer were also brought back with him.
Only a handful of people knew about this matter. After all, it felt a bit secretive, so he didn't tell anyone else. He was the only one who knew.
Not even his mentors, Witten and Deligne, knew that he had secretly downloaded many documents from the Flintstone Library.
Maybe there will be records in the Flintstone Library, but who would check how many books the students in their school have borrowed?
Although the bad old man who manages the Flintstone Library is an expert in the preservation of paper materials, he has never paid much attention to things on computers.
Therefore, Xu Chuan brought back a lot of good things from Princeton last year.
And now, this is the time when these things come in handy.
Before establishing a theoretical model of plasma turbulence phenomena, it is essential to be familiar with the relevant literature.
Just as Xu Chuan was flipping through these materials and filtering out useful information and data, his cell phone suddenly rang from the table.
When he heard the ringtone, he frowned slightly. This was the time to think, and no one would be happy if he was interrupted by a call.
This is also the reason why he didn't like to carry his mobile phone with him when doing research. However, after missing the Nobel Prize and a call from his parents, he slightly modified this habit.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Xu Chuan sat up straight and picked up his cell phone from the table. He took a look and saw that the call he made was from a completely unfamiliar international number. Judging from the beginning, it was from the United States.
After thinking for a while, he answered the call.
"Hello, who are you?"
"Hello, Professor Xu, I am David MacMillan, chairman of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton. I hope the call did not disturb your research."
On the other end of the phone, a middle-aged man's voice came over. Hearing this name, Xu Chuan suddenly remembered another thing.
"Hello, Director MacMillan." Xu Chuan responded with a smile.
Last year, he had talked to Deligne about computational chemistry models. At the previous report party on the phased results of the NS equation, Deligne also gave him feedback and suggested that he talk to Mike first.
Mirren will communicate via phone and video.
But since then he has been presiding over nuclear energy projects, so he forgot about it.
If the other party hadn't called him, he didn't know when he would have had to wait until he remembered it.
MacMillan smiled and said: "I'm calling you this time mainly because I want to communicate about the chemical calculation mathematical model that Professor Deligne told me before. I wonder if Professor Xu has time now?"
"Of course." Xu Chuan nodded and responded.
"Then I will go straight to the topic. Could you please Professor Xu to introduce in detail the chemical material calculation model you proposed before?"
Macmillan said on the phone: "Although Professor Deligne has already introduced some of it to me, I still want to hear your introduction."
"No problem at all."
Xu Chuan nodded, organized his words and then spoke again: "About this chemical material calculation model, I got the inspiration and idea accidentally when I was studying artificial SEI films."
"It is based on the three major fields of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. It collects the different chemical and physical properties of each material in advance, integrates them into the model, and then simulates and calculates the reaction process through mathematics."
During the phone call, Xu Chuan briefly introduced his theories and ideas.
In his office in the Chemistry Building of Princeton, David MacMillan was half leaning on the back of his chair, listening to the introduction and explanation on the other side of the phone.
To be honest, at first he was not very interested in Xu Chuan's proposal to entrust Deligne.
After all, how much can a mathematician, even a top mathematician, know about chemistry without systematically studying chemistry?
But considering that Professor Xu was also a Princeton student and a Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winner, he did not refuse directly. He just said that he hoped to meet Xu Chuan before talking.
Originally, he thought that Professor Xu would eagerly come to Princeton. After all, Princeton's chemical experiment database was still very valuable.
What he didn't expect was that more than half a year had passed without any movement from the other party.
Of course, he was happy to be indifferent at first, until the emergence of artificial SEI thin film materials and some questions raised by materials researchers at the press conference held by the Chuanhai Institute of Materials made him keenly aware of this chemical material calculation.
The value of the model.
Therefore, after collecting some information, he chose to take the initiative to call Professor Xu.
On the phone, Magmillan listened carefully to the introduction and explanation on the other side, and he also asked one or two questions from time to time.
Following the exchange, as if he had heard some incredible news, the dean of the Princeton Department of Chemistry's pupils shrank violently, and his body suddenly sat upright from half-reclined in his office chair.
"Professor Xu, are you telling the truth?" Magmillan asked with a trembling voice.
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "Of course, I don't need to deceive you. This is the general situation. I wonder what you think?"
During the phone call, he spent some time briefly introducing the chemical material calculation model, and then asked the other party's opinion.
Opposite me, David Magmillan was silent for a while, as if he was suppressing his breathing and heartbeat. After a while, he asked: "I want to ask, Professor Xu, have you already made this model?"
Basic version or simplified version?”
Xu Chuan thought for a while and then said: "The Sichuan-Hai Materials Research Institute under my name does have a very simple version."
"Were the artificial SEI films you previously developed using this method?" David Magmillan quickly asked.
"That's not true. After all, when I studied artificial SEI films, this set of mathematical models had not yet been established."
Xu Chuan smiled and said that the artificial SEI film used to solve the problem of lithium dendrites was indeed not studied using this set of mathematical models.
But what he didn't say was that some of the improvements made after it was developed were based on this theory. It was just that he did the mathematical calculations himself. When converted to a mathematical model, the effect was the same.
Opposite him, a trace of disappointment flashed in David Magmillan's eyes. Of course, he did not give up. He could not expect the other party to tell him this kind of core secret on the phone.
After a pause, he spoke again: "I don't know if Professor Xu has time recently. If it's convenient, you can come to Princeton. How about we talk in detail?"
Xu Chuan shook his head and said: "I'm sorry, I don't have time to go to Princeton for the time being."
It is currently impossible for him to go abroad. Even if he gives up the database at Princeton, he cannot go out.
After thinking for a while, he continued: "But maybe I can arrange for someone to go to Princeton on my behalf."
Magmillan shook his head and said: "I'm afraid other people's understanding of this model is far from your own."
After thinking for a while, he continued: "If it's really inconvenient for you, I can go to China. I just don't know when Professor Xu will be able to do it?"
Xu Chuan thought for a moment and said, "I should have time before mid-July."
In the second half of this year, CERN will launch the sterile neutrino observation and collision experiment. Coupled with his own research, it is estimated that it will be another busy second half of the year.
"Okay, then I will probably go there in early July. Then I would like to take a look at the mathematical model you established at the Sichuan-Hai Materials Research Institute, Professor Xu. Is that okay?" Magmillan asked.
Xu Chuan nodded and smiled: "Of course, no problem, I'm always welcome."
After hanging up the phone, Xu Chuan also had a smile on his face.
By some strange combination of circumstances, the dean of the Department of Chemistry at Princeton took the initiative to come to our door. It seemed that there was still great hope for this cooperation to be concluded.
Smiling, Xu Chuan put away his phone and returned his thoughts to his original research.
For him, many of the literature on plasma physics research brought from Princeton had been read in his previous life.
With his memory, it would be enough to simply re-read the things he has read. The important thing is to re-search the information that has not been read.
The days passed like this, and in the blink of an eye, time arrived in July.
At the beginning of July, half a year of 2019 has passed, and many major events have happened in the scientific world.
For example, the first photo of a black hole was finally presented to everyone’s eyes after a long period of time and editing. Because of its strange shape, this black hole photo was nicknamed a ‘doughnut’ by netizens.
For example, NASA officially announced that the InSight Mars probe captured an earthquake on Mars for the first time, indicating that Mars may have a younger core, which conflicts with previous theories that the core of Mars has already cooled.
There were many similar things, but Xu Chuan didn't pay much attention to them. After all, he was very busy in the first half of the year and had no time to understand the outside world.
While he was waiting for him to finally finish some preparatory work for the modeling, Princeton's head of chemistry department David McGmillan also flew over from the United States.
As a last resort, Xu Chuan had no choice but to suspend his work and accompany the head of the chemistry department to the Sichuan-Hai Materials Research Institute.
PS: There are some glitches today, mainly due to re-arranging plot stuff, writing, deleting and deleting. It took a long time to revise. I may have to wait until tomorrow morning to add more. Sorry.
