32: Chapter 32 Controlled Nuclear Fusion, Ignite!

"Chairman Su! We did it!"

Inside the materials laboratory, the four old men were laughing with joy like children.

Their eyes were fixed on three black metal sheets inside the lab.

One of the black metal sheets was set over an alcohol lamp, with wires connected to a voltmeter and ammeter.

Another black metal sheet was placed over an acetylene torch, also connected to a voltmeter and ammeter via wires.

The final metal sheet was placed directly under a high-intensity laser, with wires leading to a voltmeter and ammeter.

The three ammeters displayed different voltages and currents, but there was a pattern: the higher the temperature the metal sheet was subjected to, the higher the readings on the meters.

"Based on the energy calculations, the conversion from absorbed heat energy to released electrical energy is nearly one hundred percent," Su Fan calculated with pen and paper.

"We've succeeded!"

"The next step is to produce the Type 1 Thermoelectric Alloy and install it into the Controlled Nuclear Fusion device."

"Another half-month has passed. Professor Ma came to report the day before yesterday, saying that Nanshan Base is ready and only waiting for the main body cast from the thermoelectric alloy."

The four professors had dark circles under their eyes, but they nodded with intense excitement.

"Next, we will build the production line for the Type 1 Thermoelectric Alloy."

"Everyone, take a half-day break. I'll notify Professor Ma, and then we'll set up the production line." Su Fan took out his phone and contacted Ma Baoxia.

On the other end of the line, hearing that the thermoelectric alloy had been successfully synthesized, Professor Ma's voice trembled with excitement: "Good, good, good! I'll head over right away!"

Ma Baoxia soon arrived at the materials laboratory.

"Where is it? Where is the thermoelectric alloy!"

"Let me see it, quick!"

As soon as he entered the lab, he clamored to see the newly minted thermoelectric alloy.

Su Fan pointed to the three black metal sheets still on the experimental bench.

Taking two steps at a time, Professor Ma rushed to the bench, staring excitedly at the thermoelectric alloy and the readings on the meters.

"Chairman Su, you're incredible!"

Ma Baoxia didn't know how Su Fan knew so much—he understood batteries, materials, and even Controlled Nuclear Fusion.

However, his superiors had told him not to pry.

In truth, those at the top could see Su Fan's extraordinary nature, but they had no intention of dissecting him; instead, they tacitly accepted Su Fan as a Tesla-level scientific genius.

Most importantly, Su Fan was indeed bringing immense benefits and opportunities to Xia Country.

Furthermore, the lunar spaceship incident had put immense pressure on the leadership, making them desperate for a major domestic technological breakthrough.

Currently, Su Fan was their only hope.

"Professor Ma, I've sent the construction data for the Type 1 Thermoelectric Alloy mass-production line to your work phone. Take some time to study it; we'll start construction tomorrow. The production line will be located within Nanshan Base."

Su Fan's voice snapped Ma Baoxia out of his obsession with the thermoelectric alloy. He paused, then stared wide-eyed.

"How can something this important wait until tomorrow!"

"I'll look over the data now and start building through the night!"

Su Fan patted his head with a sigh; these scientists were truly reckless once they started working.

Because the thermoelectric alloy was heat-resistant, mass production required a special method. This unique process made the production line's construction very difficult and required Su Fan's supervision.

In other words, Su Fan would have to work overtime with them!

"It seems I must speed up the progress on the gene optimization fluid!" Su Fan thought to himself.

Pressed by the persistence of Ma Baoxia and the other four professors, Su Fan could only join them in their tireless efforts.

In truth, he was also looking forward to it, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed.

It was now five in the afternoon, and they drove to Kirin's Nanshan Base.

First, they ate a meal at the base canteen; the food made by the mess soldiers was incredibly delicious.

During the meal, Professor Fu rushed over upon hearing the news. When he heard that the thermoelectric alloy had been successfully synthesized in the lab and only needed a mass-production line, he insisted on joining the construction team.

Su Fan readily agreed; he hadn't planned on letting him off anyway.

If there was overtime to be worked, they would all work it together!

The seven of them looked over the data while eating, discussing the construction details of the production line.

After eating, the seven of them began the construction project for the production line.

Time slipped away quickly, and over half a month later, the Type 1 Thermoelectric Alloy production line was finally completed.

Another week passed, and the entire Controlled Nuclear Fusion reactor was assembled. All it needed was the addition of deuterium fuel, and the world's first Controlled Nuclear Fusion reactor could be successfully ignited.

At this moment, Su Fan and the six professors stood before the Controlled Nuclear Fusion reactor, watching as staff members slowly connected the pipes of the deuterium injection equipment to the spherical device.

This way, they could use a computer to control the injection of varying amounts of deuterium gas into the fusion device at any time.

"We're just going to light it like this? No ceremony?" Professor Ma looked at the massive spherical device before him; this was the thing that could solve the entire world's energy crisis.

"Let's run a test first. Once we're sure it's a success, we'll invite the big shots for an ignition ceremony," Su Fan said with a smile.

"Reporting: the deuterium gas device installation is complete. Please provide instructions." Soon, a staff member came over to report.

While called a staff member, he was actually more of a soldier. At this moment, the soldier's face was flushed with excitement.

This was Controlled Nuclear Fusion! Having the honor of participating in its construction was like his ancestors' graves were emitting smoke from pure luck!

"Clear the site and re-check the equipment," Su Fan instructed.

"Yes!" The staff member turned to direct the others to begin the re-inspection.

Su Fan felt a bit uneasy, so he also stepped forward to perform a thorough check.

The professors refused to be outdone, picking up instruments to re-check everything step by step.

After several more checks and confirming there were no issues, Su Fan called for all personnel to evacuate the underground facility with him.

Arriving at the ground-level command center, Su Fan looked at the array of monitoring screens and the most important red ignition button. He took a deep breath and pressed it firmly!

The instant he pressed the button, a tiny amount of deuterium gas was injected into the Controlled Nuclear Fusion device.

Boom!

Deuterium reacted with deuterium in a violent nuclear fusion reaction, releasing a massive amount of heat!

The exterior of the spherical fusion device was covered in energy collection and conversion units, which could transform the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric alloy into electricity with the appropriate voltage.

At that moment, a light bulb specifically connected to the end of the circuit lit up. This was the first light bulb in the world to be powered by Controlled Nuclear Fusion!

"Success!"

"We did it!" The command center erupted in cheers.

Some hugged each other in excitement, some shouted at the top of their lungs, others' faces turned red with sweat from the thrill, while Ma Baoxia, the man nearing sixty, silently shed tears!

Once, he never thought he would live to see the successful realization of Controlled Nuclear Fusion.

But now, he had not only seen it, he had become one of its creators!

Su Fan was equally moved. This was a project led by him; he had personally solved a problem that had plagued the world for decades and resolved humanity's energy issues. This sense of accomplishment and fulfillment...

It felt amazing!

...