Chapter 250 The second phase of nuclear energy research and development
After handling the affairs of the Nuclear Energy Research Institute in Qidong, Xu Chuan rushed to the Magic City.
The entire institute will not be fully completed until around mid-March, but there is no need to worry too much about the impact on the second phase of research.
The core of the second phase still lies in material research and development, which can be carried out at the 'Atomic and Nuclear Research Institute of the Academy of Magic Science'.
The core of the mechanism of nuclear energy beta radiation energy accumulation and conversion into electrical energy lies in two points, one is protection, and the other is the conversion of radiation energy to electrical energy.
Needless to say about protection, both traditional protective materials and new protective materials developed later can be used in nuclear engineering.
The conversion of radiant energy to electrical energy is another core of the entire project.
In fact, the technology for converting radiant energy into electrical energy has been pointed out by various countries a long time ago, such as traditional solar power panels.
However, the technology of converting nuclear radiation from nuclear waste into electrical energy is still basically in the laboratory stage. Although its principle is somewhat similar to that of solar power panels, it is countless times more difficult.
The silicon semiconductor of traditional solar cells only absorbs infrared light, and high-energy light waves, including most of the visible light spectrum, are wasted as heat energy. This is because photovoltaics convert heat-related infrared (IR) and near-IR spectral ranges.
shortwave radiation without converting longwave radiation.
Although in theory, the conversion efficiency of traditional solar cells can reach 34%, due to energy waste, despite the continuous improvement and advancement of its technology, its conversion efficiency is still stagnant at 15%-20%.
More importantly, it is difficult for traditional semiconductor photovoltaic materials to maintain their shape continuously and stably for a long time when faced with the strong impact of ionizing radiation from things like nuclear waste.
Semiconductor materials manufactured using atomic recycling technology have unique advantages in this regard.
If there is any disadvantage, it is that the power generation capacity is average and the efficiency is not as good as that of traditional heat engines.
This is for sure, after all, the efficiency of converting radiant energy into electrical energy has never been high.
In his previous life, Xu Chuan also wanted to try to solve this problem, but due to limitations in all aspects, there was not much progress. Even if it was slightly improved, it was still far inferior to traditional heat engines.
Before his rebirth, he designed a large-scale "Nuclear Energy Beta Radiation Energy Concentration and Conversion Electricity Nuclear Power Plant" whose power generation efficiency was only comparable to that of a small and medium-sized nuclear power plant.
To compare with more popular data, if a nuclear power plant covering an area of 2,000 acres has an annual power generation capacity of 10 billion kilowatt-hours, then a nuclear power plant that uses nuclear waste as raw material has a power generation capacity of about 2 billion kilowatt-hours.
Less than one-fifth.
Of course, the original purpose of this technology is not to generate electricity, but to solve the problem of difficult disposal of nuclear waste.
As for the power generation capability, it is just incidental.
For nuclear waste that costs money to dispose of, being able to recycle the waste and recover some funds is already the most perfect solution.
...
"Professor, you are back. Congratulations on winning the Natural Science Award!"
In the Nuclear Research Institute of the Academy of Magic Science, Xu Chuan found Han Jin who was busy. There was another younger researcher in the office. After seeing him, he happily came up to say hello.
Xu Chuan nodded and said with a smile: "Thank you. After such a long rest, it's time to advance our project to the next step."
"Of course, we have been waiting for a long time."
The Youth Research Institute grinned and said that although the stagnation of research and development projects allowed them to take a break, it was more important to follow the work experience and gains of Nobel Prize winners.
Xu Chuan smiled and said to Han Jin on the other side: "Director Han, please inform the other researchers that the meeting will take place in ten minutes."
"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away." Han Jin nodded, picked up his phone and checked all the members in the group.
"Let's go, let's go to the office first."
...
Ten minutes later, everyone in the small conference room rushed over.
After sorting out his thoughts, Xu Chuan cleared his throat and said: "In the past few months, we have completed the protective material based on the 'atomic cycle' theory. The test results show that the protective shielding effect of this new material
Pretty good."
"Everyone performed very well during this process."
"As a reward, after the meeting, everyone can submit a full-time application to Director Han Jin to end the probation period. I hope everyone can continue to work hard in the future."
Hearing this, the eight scientific researchers in the office became ecstatic.
“The boss is awesome!”
"Love you!"
"Wow, wow, wow, I've become a regular employee ahead of schedule!"
"Thank you, boss! The boss is very generous!"
There was a howl of wolves in the conference room, and everyone was overjoyed when they heard the news that they would be promoted to regular positions in advance.
Passing the probationary period early and becoming a full-time employee means not only an increase in salary and benefits, but also the qualification to apply for an intern researcher.
After becoming an intern researcher for one year, you can become a full researcher. This is the real dream of most postdocs!
Now this dream has arrived ahead of schedule and is within reach, how can we not be excited.
After exciting everyone in the office for a while, Xu Chuan coughed, regained everyone's attention and continued: "Okay, let's start arranging work."
Hearing this, the entire conference room suddenly became quiet, and everyone looked at him like a good baby.
Xu Chuandao: "The next work is to develop a semiconductor material based on the 'atomic cycle' theory."
"The requirements for this kind of material are described in detail in the documents you have read before, so I will repeat them here."
"According to the previous theory, do you have any good ideas on material design?"
Although he knows the relevant technical theories and required materials very well and can produce them directly. But this is very detrimental to the cultivation of talents.
For these first batch of scientific researchers, if given the opportunity, Xu Chuan still wants to cultivate their own scientific research capabilities.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! After all, as the later projects expand, these people will be the backbone. If they can be cultivated, it is still worth a try.
"What about chromium-based materials?"
In the office, a R&D engineer thought for a while and then said.
After following Xu Chuan for three or four months, these R&D personnel also knew some of the big boss's temperament.
Regarding R&D matters, as long as you have ability and potential, he will take a fancy to you and train you.
As for the unspoken rules in academia, they almost don’t exist here.
Of course, all the current research and development materials are basically produced by this big boss, so there are almost no hidden rules.
"Chromium-based materials? Tell me what you think."
Xu Chuan cast an encouraging look at the researcher named 'Du Jing' and asked.
He always looks forward to different people's opinions. As long as it is not unreasonable or unable to communicate, he is generally willing to listen to other people's opinions.
After all, only the collision of thoughts can produce the spark of wisdom.
Noticing the encouraging look from Xu Chuan, the researcher named Du Jing took a deep breath and said: "First, we must consider the environment in which our new material will be used."
"Although atomic recycling technology can improve the resistance of many materials to nuclear radiation, if you want to ensure its use time, the relative density of the material still needs to remain relatively large."
"Chromium oxide or indium-chromium materials can ensure this. If it is made of chromium-based materials, the use time can be quite guaranteed."
Hearing this, many of the other researchers sitting in the office nodded. Du Jing's opinion was indeed no problem in their minds.
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "Considering the use time, chromium-based materials are indeed worth trying, but have you ever thought about other issues?"
"What's the problem?" Du Jing was stunned for a moment and asked quickly.
"Have you ever thought about how much material it requires, that is to say how much money it requires. After all, this material is used in the outer layer of nuclear waste, and a power station requires a large amount of nuclear waste, with a tonnage exceeding
Three digits or even four digits.”
"How much chromium material is needed to process so much waste? You must know that the price of chromium is not cheap." Xu Chuan asked with a smile.
Du Jing, who asked the question, was stunned for a moment, and then made a rough calculation in his mind. Based on the calculation of five hundred tons, processing such a large amount of nuclear waste would require at least more than five hundred tons of chromium.
Five hundred tons of chromium sounds like a lot, but based on the density of chromium, it is actually less than one hundred cubic meters.
Although he doesn't know how much chromium currently costs per ton, it will not be less than 50,000 per ton. In other words, the cost of chromium alone exceeds 25 million.
And this is just a reuse of hundreds of tons of nuclear waste.
You must know that the decay time of nuclear waste is quite long. Even if the theoretical document proposed using a technology called 'transmutation acceleration system' to shorten the decay time of nuclear waste, the utilization time of nuclear waste is also quite long.
long.
This is equivalent to directly locking this batch of chromium with nuclear waste.
Although the tonnage of nuclear waste accumulated in China is only more than 1,000 tons, this is only because the domestic nuclear power plant was initiated relatively late.
If it is truly determined that nuclear waste can be reused, with the speed of China's infrastructure construction, the annual accumulation rate of nuclear waste can increase to 1,000 tons or even higher in less than five years.
Considering other countries, to process so much nuclear waste, the amount of chromium required is unimaginable.
Of course, compared to the fact that countries currently spend tens of billions to deal with nuclear waste and there is no good way to deal with it, this is indeed worth it.
But looking at it from another perspective, the price is indeed expensive enough.
Instead of doing this, it is better to use other cheap materials. Although they are not as durable, they can be replaced.
Hemp is a bit troublesome, but compared to the funds required to use chromium, it is nothing.
After thinking about this, Du Jing suddenly nodded and said with some shame: "I understand, if this is the case, then chromium-based materials are indeed inappropriate."
Xu Chuan smiled and said: "But your idea is indeed feasible. I will give you an opportunity to allocate a batch of scientific research funds to you. On this basis, you can apply for a separate laboratory and recruit two assistants to come
Complete research on chromium-based materials.”
"After the meeting, you can go back and write me some relevant expressions. I hope you can take advantage of them."
Hearing this, Du Jing opened his mouth and widened his eyes, and said ecstatically: "Thank you, professor, for your support. I will definitely complete the research on atomic recycling semiconductor materials for chromium-based materials."
Everyone else in the office cast envious glances.
If only I had known they would fight to be the first to speak.
An independent laboratory, independent research funds, and assistants are available. This treatment is no different from that of a formal researcher.
In the main seat, Xu Chuan saw everyone's expressions in his eyes, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Although he knew that chromium materials were mediocre, the reason why he still arranged research on chromium atom recycling materials was no longer here, but because of the more distant controllable nuclear fusion.
On the other hand, if you want the horse to run, you must let the horse eat grass.
Whether it’s work or training, people must truly see rewards and hope, right?
With today's meeting, this group of researchers will do their best in both work and scientific research in the future, and they will boldly put forward their ideas without worrying about being laughed at or anything like that.
.......
ps: Yesterday's chapter was locked in a dark room, and part of it was deleted before being released. There is another chapter tonight.