Free Web NovelChapter 790: Chapter 425: You are well-experienced, but I trust Zhao Yi more - Part 2
It hasn’t even been a year now, he hasn’t even supervised one student, yet he’s directly using a professional laboratory and operating room. He’s even become the director of the lab?
He’s been given a free hand with the list of lab equipment purchases, which is pretty much the same as saying ’you can spend money as you will’.
Shen Binghe only feels that life’s unpredictability is beyond imagination; all he can do is listen carefully, take notes, and try to do his job well.
On the other side, professors in the Metal Composite Materials laboratory at Aerospace University knew that Zhang Hongtao had applied for a turbine blade project.
While the project was confidential, the difficulty of turbine blade development made the confidentiality almost irrelevant. For instance, everyone knew that the Science Academy and the Aviation Institute had developed DD5 and DD6, even the properties of the two materials were well known. It was no big deal, knowing the basics does not make a difference, the essential technology is what matters.
The others were skeptical of the project. They were material science experts well aware of the difficulty of developing turbine blades, but they were envious of Zhang Hongtao for having secured the project, something they would never have accomplished.
The research funding was only five million, quite pitiful given the nature of the project. But securing a project doesn’t necessarily mean completing it. For such a significant project, a little progress would suffice.
Zhang Hongtao applied on behalf of the Metal Composite Materials Laboratory. Even though he was the principal researcher, it was still possible to involve others in the development. Several professors of Materials Science also applied to join the research, but their requests were tactfully rejected.
This isn’t because other people weren’t competent enough, but the project was Zhao Yi’s proposal. Without Zhao Yi’s approval, Zhang Hongtao didn’t want to bring others onboard.
However, there was one exception.
Wang Zhifang. freёwebnoѵel.com
Wang Zhifang was the pillar of the Metal Composite Materials Laboratory and an academician of the Engineering Academy. He could be considered Zhang Hongtao’s half-mentor. Having engaged in many national alloy material projects, he was very interested in major alloy materials projects.
Upon hearing Zhang Hongtao had secured the project, Wang Zhifang was shocked too, but interested enough to ask, "Members of our lab can participate, right? Could you count me in?"
"Your participation would, of course, be welcomed!"
Zhang Hongtao immediately agreed.
With Wang Zhifang’s rich research experience, his vast project management knowledge, things can be said directly after his involvement. "Hong Tao, this project is too big. The Science Academy and the Aviation Institute have not achieved it, we might face difficulties too, especially with the insufficient funds. We can’t aim too high. We need to work gradually, little by little."
"As long as there are results, we will receive continuous support from above. But if we try to bite off more than we can chew and end up using all the funding without any results, we’ll lose everything."
Wang Zhifang’s words made perfect sense.
Zhang Hongtao nodded in agreement and couldn’t wait to discuss the direction of research with Zhao Yi.
Although Wang Zhifang was speaking from experience, he was earnest in wanting to achieve results. Spending several years or even more would be preferable to focusing on the deck steel project, as the turbine blade research would not wait.
If the Science Academy’s Metal Research Institute and Capital Aviation Material Research Institute achieve results in developing high-end turbine blades, their research significance will greatly reduce.
Two days later.
After finishing the preliminary work for the newly acquired project, Zhang Hongtao went to Zhao Yi for a formal discussion about research direction.
Previously, the two had only briefly discussed the current state of domestic turbine blade technology and later the issue of applying for the project. The application report was written according to each individual’s thoughts.
Their ideas were completely different.
Zhang Hongtao put forward his idea, "I see potential in DD5. DD5 is a product of DD8, DD26, and DD26C, featuring better high-temperature resistance. By strengthening the material..."
"DD6 is the achievement of the Capital Aviation Material Research Institute, the initial organisation to research turbine blade materials. DD2, DD3, and DD4 were all their developments. But as far as technology advancement is concerned, the progress isn’t significant..."
"So we should build our research on the foundations of DD5..."
"Blah, blah, blah~~~"
Zhang Hongtao rattled on and on, D this D that. It left Zhao Yi with a headache. He only understood the last bit, Zhang Hongtao planned to base their research on DD5.
"I want to develop in another direction!"
Zhao Yi finished explaining, "Whether it’s DD5, DD6, or any other DD, they’re all about single crystal nickel. ’Single crystal’ is a superior method, but it’s just a method. Both the Science Academy and the Aviation Material Institute have already delved deep into the research of single crystal nickel. There’s no advantage for us to continue in this direction."
Zhang Hongtao nodded in agreement.
They indeed managed to secure the project. However, if they want to use DD5 as their research starting point, they’ll definitely need to deal with the Metal Research Institute of the Science Academy. While the institute might provide some information, it won’t be able to assist with R&D experience. Even providing all the necessary data is unlikely.
Zhao Yi continued, "That’s why I want to start with the nickel-iron alloy and continue the research from there."
"Nickel-iron alloy?" Zhang Hongtao exclaimed in surprise. "That technology has been around for a long time, but it hasn’t progressed. It doesn’t have any prospects."
"It does have a lot of potential."
Zhao Yi said affirmatively, "The fact that it can be used in turbine engines is a clear proof. As long as we continue to improve, we can certainly do better. That’s the direction I’ve been considering."
"I have already applied to visit Steel Factory 307 to see the entire manufacturing process of nickel-iron alloy."
That was Zhao Yi’s idea.
By observing the manufacturing process of nickel-iron alloys in turbine engines, even if they can’t make significant changes, minor improvements and enhancements should be quite achievable.
The success is thus guaranteed.
As long as they can enhance the performance of the nickel-iron alloy, making it more high-temperature resistant and stronger, they can significantly upgrade the performance of the Kunlun engine turbine, thus achieving their ultimate goal.
They aim for improvement, not innovation or creation!
Zhao Yi still hoped that their research could align itself with, or even surpass, the most advanced international standards. His idea was to improve performance based on the use of rare metals, such as adding rhenium, which theoretically could greatly enhance performance. The specifics of the addition, including the proportion, would be the direction of their future R&D.
"What about you?"
After finishing, Zhao Yi looked at Zhang Hongtao. His question was very clear, ’We have different ideas. Do you want to continue with the DD5 direction or join me in researching the nickel-iron alloy?’
Zhang Hongtao did not hesitate to respond, "I’ll go with you to Steel Factory 307. There is strength in numbers, and I believe in this direction as well!"
"Pleasure to collaborate!"
...
Upon returning to the Aerospace University, Zhang Hongtao was asked by Wang Zhifang about the results of his discussion with Zhao Yi.
"What did he say?"
"What does he think about our opinion?"
Wang Zhifang referred to ’our’ opinion. That’s because the research direction based on DD5 was his idea. He felt that DD5 had more potential than DD6. Zhang Hongtao, on the other hand, only thought of researching single crystal nickel, without any specific ideas.
Zhang Hongtao hesitated for a moment before saying, "We discussed it for a long time and finally decided to research conventional nickel-iron alloys."
"Why?" Wang Zhifang asked confusedly, "What potential could there be in nickel-iron alloys?"
"That’s what I initially thought too!"
Zhang Hongtao sighed, "Teacher Wang, you have a lot of experience! But I have more faith in..."
"Ahem, yes, that was Zhao Yi’s proposal."
Wang Zhifang didn’t get it right away, but after some thought, he understood it as, ’I trust your judgment more. But the project passed because of Zhao Yi, who applied for more funding’.
In reality, the sentence Zhang Hongtao didn’t finish was, ’Teacher Wang, you have a lot of experience! But I put more faith in Zhao Yi’.
