Chapter 266: Level 3 Materials Science

Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Professor Kerr’s speculation was correct.

He returned to the laboratory and was surprised that the sample placed in the scanning electron microscope did not have smokes and it did not explode.

From the interception of several SEM images, he could see that the lithium ions were gradually deposited on the electrode, and protected by the modified PDMS film, it looked like a beautiful silver tundra.

This layer of “tundra” did not grow as wild as other lithium batteries. Instead, the lithium dendrites laid quietly beneath the modified PDMS film, undulated.

The signs of nucleation did not seem to have happened, or if it did, it seemed to have been diverted.

If no accidents happened, this state would continue until the entire charging process was completed.

Without a doubt, they had successfully recreated the experiment.

“Incredible…”

Professor Kerr stood next to the computer and looked at the images generated. He could not believe what he was seeing.

Although he saw similar images in Nature Chemistry, it was different seeing the images in person.

The Colombian reporter standing behind him was confused. He did not know what the researchers were happy about.

Even though he was witnessing a great moment, he could not understand what the SEM images meant.

Out of confusion, he spoke out loud, “Professor?”

Professor Kerr looked at the reporter with a fascinated expression.

“What?”

He was very happy, very very happy.

If the lithium dendrites problem were solved, his laboratory would directly benefit from it. He believed that with one more MRS meeting, his laboratory would receive tens or even hundreds of millions of USD in investment.

The industry would reinvest into lithium batteries.

The reporter gulped and asked, “What is the situation?”

Professor Kerr looked at him with a positive look and said, “I can now responsibly tell you that it was successful.”

Perhaps he thought his statement was not shocking enough, so he paused for a second before he continued, “In half a year, maybe a year, you’ll be able to use your phone for a week straight. In a few years, you’ll be able to drive a Tesla car for thousands of miles… Trust me, I’m definitely a lot more reliable than the media.”

Although he was slightly exaggerating, he was not far from reality.

Lithium-ion batteries were mainly based on graphite anodes. The theoretical specific capacity of graphite could be calculated by the product LiC6, which was 372 mAh/g. This figure could be increased in the lab to 747 mAh/g with graphene technology.

As for the theoretical specific energy capacity of lithium?

It was 3860mAh/g.

Although these were all theoretical figures, it was still a good ballpark.

The lithium metal and polydimethylsiloxane were also affordable.

…

[Congratulations, User, for completing the reward mission!]

[Mission completion details are as follows: Solve the problem of lithium dendrites]

[Final mission evaluation: None (Reward missions have no evaluation)]

[Mission reward: 70,000 materials science experience points, 10,000 biochemistry experience points, debris.]

In a pure white system space…

Lu Zhou looked at the experience points on the holographic panel and could not help but smirk.

No wonder this thing was high tech. Even a small battery brought him a considerable amount of experience points.

The amount would not be much for mathematics, but since it was on biochemistry and materials science, Lu Zhou felt like he was sitting on a rocket.

This was probably the most enjoyable reward mission he had ever done.

“System, open my characteristic panel!”

A white light flashed and Lu Zhou’s personal data appeared.

[

A. Mathematics: Level 5 (54,000/300,000)

B. Physics: Level 3 (53,100/100,000)

C. Biochemistry: Level 2 (4,000/50,000)

D. Engineering: Level 1 (0/10,000)

E. Materials science: Level 3 (13,000/100,000)

F. Energy science: Level 1 (0/10,000)

G. Information science: Level 1 (3,000/10,000)

General points: 2,475

]

Materials science was now Level 3, same as physics. Biochemistry also leveled up, now Level 2.

However, even though Lu Zhou read a lot of materials science textbooks, he was not an expert in this field. Therefore, he did not feel that his knowledge had increased from the effects of leveling up.

At least, it did not feel like when he leveled up in mathematics.

Maybe, biochem and material sci were not as dependent on “inspiration”.

After Lu Zhou closed his characteristic panel, he looked over to his inventory.

Debris No. 2 was in the inventory. It looked like a black cube, similar to a Rubik’s cube. It had a very fascinating appearance.

Lu Zhou could tell that this was different than the battery debris. Lu Zhou took it out from the inventory and looked at it for a long time. He had no idea what it was.

High tech toy?

It doesn’t look like it.

There’s no way it is a weapon.

The most fascinating thing was that there were no markings at all on this cube. Lu Zhou almost thought that there was something wrong with it.

Lu Zhou put this thing aside and looked at his mission panel.

The reward mission was completed.

Now it was his “multiple choice question” time.

I hope that the system will give me some interesting missions.

Lu Zhou took a deep breath and pressed the mission button.

[

Mission 1: Keep improving

Description: The technology of lithium anode materials is not only modified by the polydimethylsiloxane film, but also the carbon nanospheres with flat cross-section folds.

Requirements: Successfully prepare the product in a laboratory, and write a thesis.

Reward: 50,000 materials science experience points. 500 general points. 1 chance of lucky draw (85% garbage, 9% sample, 6% blueprints)

]

[

Mission 2: Even a great job needs economic support

Description: The laboratory is like a black hole. Before the project is completed, it sucks in money endlessly. Maybe you are confident in your work, but your partners might not be. Instead of being a liability, try to raise money.

Requirements: From the beginning of the mission until the end of the year (December 31, 2016), calculate the user’s gain in assets.

Reward: 1-??? free experience points ($1000 USD = 1 experience point). 500 General points. One lucky draw ticket (80% garbage, 10% special, 7% samples, 3% blueprints).

]

[

Mission 3: Research isn’t done by one person

Description: The value of a top researcher is not only how much research he has done, but also how much talents he has cultivated. Although many scholars have passed away, they have left their influence and changed the future.

Requirements: Help at least one student complete their master’s thesis.

Reward: 1-??? experience points (experience point subject depends on the academic value of thesis and student participation). 500 general points. One lucky draw ticket (50% garbage, 30% samples, 20% blueprints)

]

Lu Zhou stared at these three missions for a long time.

The carbon nanospheres with cross sections were important, but it was not crucial.

For the advanced civilizations that created this defect, the folds were unacceptable. Still, for any battery manufacturer on earth, the folds were negligible.

After all, the modified polydimethylsiloxane film determined the vitality of the product while the former only determined the market competitiveness of the product.

The superiority of the lithium anode material would completely destroy the graphite anodes.

The most important thing was that, even if Lu Zhou knew the molecular structure and three-dimensional conceptual image, those hollow carbon nanospheres could not be created.

For these two reasons, Mission 1 could be eliminated.

As for Mission 3, it was attractive, but it was very difficult to accomplish in the short term.

Even though the Group Structure Method paved the way for many propositions in additive number theory, the Collatz conjecture was beyond the scopes of the ability of Lu Zhou’s students. Even for Vera…

Although Lu Zhou could do it himself, he remembered that the experience points were determined by the student’s participation. He could solve a major conjecture, but the experience points would be too low.

After some consideration, Lu Zhou chose Mission 2.

It was the end of August, not far from the end of the year. Although the 1000:1 conversion ratio was a bit low, Lu Zhou thought about his patents and how he could still earn a lot of experience points.

The only thing that he was curious about was what the 10% special was.

He had such a small probability of winning it…

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