131: Studying 'Stone'

Originally, the research had stalled because there was no lead on the raw materials needed for production.

Today, he had planned to look through the books and journals in the High Tower to see if there was any content related to materials, but unfortunately, after spending several integral, he still couldn't find what he was looking for.

He had thought there was no hope and that he would need to spend a long time exploring on his own to produce it.

Unexpectedly, a new opportunity arose.

While browsing the Guild Commercial Street in the afternoon, he discovered something that might be what he was looking for.

So, he bought two 'stone' cardss, suspecting that these two types of 'stones' contained zinc and manganese, respectively, which are the main raw materials for making dry cell batteries.

The time required to deduce a result from a theory and create a cards is completely different from deducing a theory from a cards and a result.

What might have taken years to research before could now be accomplished in a few months.

That's why Xu Bai was so excited he couldn't wait until tomorrow.

Tonight, he planned to thoroughly research these two materials, then try to use cardss to produce high-purity zinc and manganese himself, which would mean the materials for making dry cell batteries were almost ready… Xu Bai looked at the two 'stones' on the table with shining eyes.

If he wasn't mistaken, these two were sphalerite and pyrolusite, whose main components are zinc sulfide and manganese dioxide, and they are the main ores for producing zinc and manganese.

If one simply thought that these two ores could be directly used to make batteries, that would be underestimating the 'unique' aspect that the boss mentioned.

Firstly, these two ores only have one one-star cards, and the quantity of ore is limited; secondly, the elements within are very mixed, which would greatly affect battery production, so using them directly is not advisable.

A single ore cannot be made into a battery; there are many impurities in the ore that need to be removed first.

In fact, many methods Xu Bai was thinking of now could not be realized, because those methods were modern extraction experimental methods; in modern times, zinc and manganese could be quickly extracted with some reagents, but don't forget, Xu Bai is now in another world.

Here, it's more difficult; how should they be extracted?

As Xu Bai thought, his mind gradually drifted.

How were zinc and manganese elements first discovered?

Also, were these two elements discovered in ancient times, and how were they extracted then?

I've got it!

He could refer to the extraction methods of zinc and manganese by ancient people in his original world.

Luckily, the books he had read before were quite varied, and he had come across relevant content.

Xu Bai shook off the jumbled thoughts in his mind, wanting to try this method.

First, he needed to use cardss to create some tools.

As the saying goes, a craftsman must first sharpen his tools if he is to do his work well.

Making tool cardss was very simple; Xu Bai finished in one minute.

Next, he needed to use the tools to crush the two ores separately.

“Bang bang bang.” “Thump thump thump.” “Clang clang clang.”

For a moment, the room was filled with various sounds.

After hammering for a while, the ores, originally as large as his head, became the size of beans; Xu Bai picked out some large impurities like quartz and clay.

Then he could pour them into a small stone mill and start grinding them into powder.

Since stone mills could be made with cardss, he directly took out two, putting one type of ore in each mill to grind, to avoid mixing them together.

Looking at the powder in the bowl, Xu Bai thought for a moment, then decided to divide it into ten portions and try one portion at a time; there was no other way, the quantity was relatively small, so he had to use it sparingly.

The next step was high-temperature calcination.

Controlling the temperature for this high-temperature calcination was very difficult, but luckily Xu Bai thought of adding a little star energy stone powder to increase the temperature, allowing for complete calcination.

However, some accidents still occurred.

During one calcination, Xu Bai accidentally set the table on fire, but fortunately, there was a kettle nearby, and he extinguished the fire in time, otherwise he would have to sleep on the streets.

But even so, it left him covered in dust.

Looking at the finished product in front of him, Xu Bai shook his head and took out another piece of ore.

“Bang bang bang.” “Thump thump thump.” “Clang clang clang.”

After another series of chaotic sounds, he repeated the previous operations, then optimized the intermediate process… A single cards contained a total of 9 ores, and Xu Bai experimented hundreds of times with these limited ores, initially dividing them into ten portions, then twenty portions, and then thirty portions.

The more portions he divided it into, the more times he could conduct experiments.

The more he experimented, the less hope Xu Bai had for himself.

Suddenly, Xu Bai opened his bloodshot eyes in surprise.

Success!

The materials had been extracted; after testing the materials and combining them with what he knew, he would be able to create the cardss for the materials.

He was now about halfway to success.

With the success of this stage, the tension Xu Bai had been holding suddenly relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

Xu Bai looked at the mechanical alarm clock and found that it was already 5 o'clock the next day, and the sky was starting to lighten.

There was no way; he couldn't continue the experiment now, so Xu Bai could only wash up and climb into bed to sleep.

Haste makes waste; it was better to sleep and save his own life… The next day was another hot one, and Xu Bai was fanning the sleeping Xu Le, feeling as if his arm was about to break.

However, such days should end very soon.

Thinking of his success yesterday, Xu Bai's mood was particularly buoyant.

After this is done, he might achieve a small goal.

Xu Bai also learned many lessons from these repeated experiments, and at the same time, he felt his connection with this world grew stronger.

Before, when he looked at the people in this world, he had a feeling of being superior, thinking he could guide others, but now, he felt that sometimes it was good to ask for more advice.

This morning, he sent a letter to Wu Zijin, asking him about some experimental operations in this other world.

He received his reply at noon, and seeing the content of the letter, Xu Bai gained many insights and new ideas for the experiments he would conduct later.

However, in the letter, Wu Zijin also invited Xu Bai to join his research.

After Wu Zijin returned, he thought about it; Xu Bai's thesis had met the standards for publication in “theory,” otherwise Ms. Yin Jia would not have recommended him to submit it to “theory.”

If he didn't invite Xu Bai to join before the thesis was published, what if someone else took notice and he was cut off? Then he would have nowhere to cry.

So, after receiving Xu Bai's letter today, he directly invited Xu Bai.

Xu Bai saw Wu Zijin's invitation in the letter, and although he was very grateful, he did not want to join at the moment.

Because he had more important things to research, he could only ruthlessly refuse Wu Zijin's invitation.