Chapter 68 Report on Preliminary Research

Three days later, Lin Mo carried a thick stack of materials and knocked on the door of Fang Lin's office.

"Come in."

He pushed the door open and entered. Fang Lin was reading a document. Looking up and seeing him, she was slightly stunned. "Lin Mo? A rare visitor. Have a seat."

Lin Mo sat across from her and placed the materials on the desk. "Director Fang, there's something I want to report to you."

Fang Lin put down her pen and leaned forward slightly. "Speak."

"It's about lithium resources." Lin Mo opened the materials. "I carefully read that think tank report you gave me last time. The risk of them trying to throttle our lithium resources is very real."

Fang Lin nodded. "The higher-ups are also paying attention to this issue. Recent meetings have been discussing strategic reserves of lithium resources, but reserves can only address the immediate crisis; they can't solve the fundamental problem."

Lin Mo pushed the materials over. "What if I have a way to solve the fundamental problem?"

Fang Lin raised an eyebrow, took the materials, and lowered her head to look through them.

The first page was the title: "Preliminary Research Report on Lithium Extraction from Seawater Technology." Her brow furrowed slightly—Lithium Extraction from Seawater? She had heard of this direction, but no one in the world had succeeded yet.

She continued flipping through.

Page two: Technical Principle. Using Room-Temperature Superconductivity magnets to generate a strong magnetic field to directionally separate lithium ions from seawater. Fang Lin's brow furrowed even tighter—Room-Temperature Superconductivity? Wasn't this Lin Mo and his team's earliest achievement?

Page three: Experimental Data. The separation efficiency of the miniature device reached 65%, and the adsorption capacity indicators far exceeded existing levels. Fang Lin's finger paused on the page.

Page four: Strategic Significance. Breaking free from dependence on imported lithium resources and ensuring national energy security. The total amount of lithium resources in seawater is 230 billion tons, enough for all of humanity to use for tens of thousands of years.

Page five: Next Steps. Build a Pilot-scale production device, optimize separation efficiency, reduce costs, and ultimately achieve industrialization.

Fang Lin finished flipping through page by page, looked up, and stared at Lin Mo with a complex expression.

"You did this?"

Lin Mo nodded. "The team did it together. Chen Xueming was in charge of the experiments, Zhang Zhe handled the materials, and Li Xiao was responsible for the data. I... was in charge of wild imaginings."

Fang Lin stared at him for a few seconds, then slowly leaned back in her chair.

"Lin Mo," she said, "do you know what this thing of yours means?"

Lin Mo didn't speak.

Fang Lin stood up, walked to the window, and turned her back to him.

"In the current global lithium resource game, we are at a disadvantage. Australia, Chile, and Argentina—these three countries control the vast majority of the world's lithium resources. The United States, Japan, and Europe are all making moves, trying every possible way to throttle us."

She turned around and looked at Lin Mo.

"If this thing of yours can really be done, all their moves will be completely neutralized."

Lin Mo nodded. "I know."

Fang Lin walked back to the desk, picked up the report again, and read it carefully once more.

"Separation efficiency of 65%," she asked, "can it be increased?"

Lin Mo said, "Theoretically, it can be increased to over 90%. There's still room for optimization in magnetic field strength, flow rate, and pipe design. Give me half a year, and I can reach over 80%."

Fang Lin was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"I need to report this document to the higher-ups."

Lin Mo was taken aback. "So soon?"

Fang Lin shook her head. "With things like this, the sooner the better. Every day we delay, foreign countries might sign another exclusive procurement agreement. We need to beat them to it and prove the technical route works."

She picked up the phone and dialed a number.

"Old Li, help me set up an appointment with Vice Minister Zhang. This afternoon, I have an urgent matter."

After hanging up, she looked at Lin Mo.

"You're coming with me."

Lin Mo was a bit surprised. "Me?"

Fang Lin smiled. "You're the technical lead; if you don't go, who will?"

At 3:00 PM, Lin Mo followed Fang Lin into a conference room.

The conference room wasn't large, but it was solemnly decorated. A giant map of China hung on the wall, and a national flag stood in the corner. Several people were already seated around a long conference table.

Seated at the head of the table was a leader in his fifties with a square face and sharp eyes; he was Vice Minister Zhang, who was in charge of science and technology at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Beside him were several people in military uniforms and civilian clothes. Lin Mo didn't recognize them, but judging by their demeanor, they were all heads of important departments.

"Fang Lin is here." Vice Minister Zhang nodded. "Have a seat. This must be Comrade Lin Mo?"

Lin Mo nodded. "Hello, Minister Zhang."

Vice Minister Zhang gestured for them to sit and then said:

"Fang Lin sounded very urgent on the phone. What exactly is this about?"

Fang Lin handed over the report. "Minister Zhang, please take a look at this first."

Vice Minister Zhang took the report and began flipping through it. He read very carefully, pausing on each page for a long time. The conference room was so quiet that the ticking of the wall clock could be heard.

A few minutes later, he looked up and stared at Lin Mo.

"Are you sure this principle is feasible?"

Lin Mo took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady.

"We have already conducted preliminary experiments. The separation efficiency of the miniature device reached 65%, and the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent route reached 98 mg/g, far exceeding the levels reported in literature. On a theoretical level, it has been verified."

A person in military uniform next to Vice Minister Zhang asked, "How long will it take to build a usable device?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment. "A Pilot-scale production device would take about a year. Industrialization would take two to three years. But with enough support, it can be accelerated."

Another person in civilian clothes asked, "What about the cost? How much more expensive is it than imported lithium ore?"

Lin Mo was well-prepared. "At the current laboratory stage, the cost is still high. But after scaling up, it is expected to drop to a level comparable to lithium extraction from ore. Moreover—seawater is free, and the resources are limitless."

The conference room fell silent for a few seconds.

Vice Minister Zhang closed the report and looked at Lin Mo.

"Comrade Xiao Lin, do you know what it means if this technology succeeds?"

Lin Mo nodded. "It means we will no longer depend on imported lithium resources. Any foreign blockades will lose their meaning."

Vice Minister Zhang stood up, walked to the map of China on the wall, and looked at that vast expanse of sea.

"It's not just a matter of lithium resources," he said. "This is an entire technical system. Room-Temperature Superconductivity, Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Lithium Extraction from Seawater—what you are doing is building a new foundation for national energy security."

He turned around and looked at those present.

"In my personal opinion, this project should not only be supported but strongly supported. It should be prioritized as a national strategic reserve technology."

Several people nearby nodded in succession.

Vice Minister Zhang walked back to his seat and looked at Lin Mo.

"Comrade Xiao Lin, if you need anything, just say so. People, money, equipment—as long as it's reasonable, the state will provide it for you."

A wave of warmth surged in Lin Mo's heart. He took a deep breath and said:

"Minister Zhang, we need a Pilot-scale production base. It should be near the sea for easy access to seawater for experiments. We also need a batch of superconducting materials to manufacture large magnets. Additionally, the team needs to expand, especially with talents in fluid mechanics and magnet design."

Vice Minister Zhang nodded and looked at someone beside him. "Old Zhou, you coordinate the matter of the Pilot-scale production base. Find a suitable coastal location and implement it as soon as possible."

The man called Old Zhou nodded. "Understood."

Vice Minister Zhang looked at another person. "Regarding materials, coordinate with Wang Zhenguo's side. Aren't they doing superconducting pilot trials? Prioritize meeting the needs of Lin Mo and his team."

That person also nodded. "Yes."

Finally, Vice Minister Zhang looked at Lin Mo.

"Comrade Xiao Lin, I will personally oversee this project. Report any progress at any time. If coordination is needed, come directly to me."

Lin Mo stood up and said solemnly:

"Thank you, Minister Zhang. We will certainly give it our all."

Walking out of the conference room, Fang Lin looked at Lin Mo and smiled.

"Well, were you nervous?"

Lin Mo nodded honestly. "Nervous. My palms are all sweaty."

Fang Lin patted his shoulder. "It's always like this the first time. You'll get used to it."

The two walked out. When they reached the door, Fang Lin suddenly stopped.

"Lin Mo, do you know why I was in such a hurry today?"

Lin Mo shook his head.

Fang Lin looked at the distant sky and said softly:

"Because time waits for no one. Yesterday, news came from Chile that a certain country has already sent people there, lobbying the government to nationalize lithium resources and then set up an 'exclusive cooperation.' If they succeed, we will lose not only Chile's lithium but also channels throughout South America."

She turned back to look at Lin Mo.

"So your report today came at just the right time."

Lin Mo was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"Director Fang, we will make it happen."

Fang Lin nodded. "I believe you."

Three days later, the official approval came down.

Fang Lin took that red-headed document and personally delivered it to the laboratory.

"Take a look." She handed the document to Lin Mo.

Lin Mo took it and saw that it read:

Approval Regarding the Project "Research on Key Technologies for Lithium Extraction from Seawater and Construction of Pilot-scale production Devices"

After study, the project is approved for initiation. It is listed as a national strategic reserve technology special project, with full support in funding, talent, and equipment. The site selection for the Pilot-scale production base will be coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and implemented as soon as possible. Project Leader: Lin Mo.

Several departmental seals were stamped at the end.

Lin Mo looked at the document and didn't speak for a long time.

Chen Xueming leaned over, took a look, and his eyes widened. "The state approved the project? So fast?"

Li Xiao also leaned over. "Let me see, let me see! Wow! It's true!"

Zhang Zhe stood nearby, a smile also appearing on his lips.

Zhao Gang rarely spoke up on his own. "This is impressive; even the state is supporting us now."

Lin Mo looked up at them.

"So, from now on, we have to work even harder."

Chen Xueming laughed. "What's there to fear? It's not like we haven't worked hard before."

Li Xiao raised her hand. "I'll be in charge of the literature and database!"

Zhang Zhe said calmly, "I'll continue with the materials."

Zhao Gang: "I'll handle security."

Lin Mo nodded, looking at the document in his hand, a complex emotion surging in his heart.

From that night he unexpectedly obtained the system, to Room-Temperature Superconductivity, to Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, and now to the approval of the Lithium Extraction from Seawater project—every step felt like a dream.

But he knew it wasn't a dream.

It was real.

What they were doing was changing things.

That night, Lin Mo sat alone in his office.

He looked at the distant Kunlun Mountains outside the window, then at the approval document in his hand, a smile appearing on his lips.

His phone vibrated; it was a message from Li Xiao.

"Teacher Lin, what do you want for breakfast tomorrow? To celebrate the project's approval!"

Lin Mo replied:

"Anything, whatever you cook is fine."

Li Xiao replied instantly:

"Got it! Then tomorrow it's preserved egg and lean meat porridge + fried dough sticks + fried eggs! Goodnight!"

Lin Mo put down his phone and leaned back in his chair.

Outside the window, the starry sky was brilliant.

Tomorrow would be another new day.