Chapter 73 Simulation and Deduction

At eleven o'clock at night, Lin Mo sat alone in his office.

Spread out on the desk was the experimental report Chen Xueming had delivered this afternoon. Following the optimization plan he had provided last time, the team spent ten days modifying the device—the solenoid was installed, the flow control system was debugged, and even the new 5-Tesla magnet provided by Wang Zhenguo's side had been swapped in.

The first formal experiment was conducted today.

Result: Separation efficiency of 23%.

It was much better than the initial 0%, but still far from the theoretical expectation of 85%.

When Chen Xueming delivered the report, his face was filled with confusion: "Teacher Lin, the direction is correct, but the data is wrong. We've checked every step and can't find where the problem lies."

Lin Mo comforted him with a few words and said he would think about it.

Now, facing the report alone, his brow was tightly furrowed.

The gap between 23% and 85% couldn't be explained by margin of error. Some parameter must not be tuned to its optimum, or there was a variable he hadn't considered.

He took a deep breath and summoned the system interface in his mind.

A translucent light screen emerged in the darkness:

【Current research points: 340】

340 points. The last simulation cost 200, leaving this much. If he consumed more, not much would be left. But the Lithium Extraction from Seawater project was at a critical stage; a breakthrough had to be made as soon as possible.

He issued a command in his mind:

Open the simulation space and perform a parameter optimization deduction for the current Lithium Extraction from Seawater experimental device. Input current device parameters and experimental results to deduce the optimal parameter combination.

The system responded immediately:

【Simulation space opened. research points consumed: 100/hour. Current device data loaded, beginning deduction...】

Lin Mo felt a familiar wave of dizziness, and the scene before him instantly transformed. He felt as if he were in a massive virtual laboratory, with countless versions of the separation device running simultaneously before him. Every version was fine-tuning different parameters—magnetic field strength from 4.5 Tesla to 6.5 Tesla in 0.1 increments; flow rate from 0.01 meters per second to 0.1 meters per second in 0.005 increments; temperature from 5 degrees Celsius to 35 degrees Celsius in 1-degree increments; pipe curvature radius, number of spiral turns, collection tank position, and even the concentration of impurities in the seawater—every conceivable variable was being automatically permuted and combined under the system's control.

On the screen, numbers flowed like a waterfall. The separation efficiency corresponding to each set of parameters was displayed in real-time, then overwritten by new data.

Lin Mo stared at those numbers, trying to find a pattern.

0.5%, 2.3%, 8.7%, 15.2%... The efficiency of most combinations was below 20%, with a few reaching over 30%, but still far from 85%.

"That's not right," he muttered. "There's a variable I haven't considered."

He carefully observed the high-efficiency combinations and found they all had one thing in common: a particularly large magnetic field gradient. It wasn't just magnetic field strength, but the rate of change of the magnetic field in space.

He recalled a detail: when lithium ions in seawater move through a magnetic field, the force they experience depends not only on the magnetic field strength but also on the magnetic field gradient. The larger the gradient, the greater the force on the ions, making the deflection more pronounced.

In the existing device, the magnetic field produced by the magnets was uniform, with a very small gradient.

What if he designed a gradient magnetic field?

Lin Mo immediately entered new constraints into the system:

Add magnetic field gradient variable. Allow for non-uniform magnetic field design.

The system reran. This time, the numbers jumping onto the screen began to soar.

18%, 25%, 37%, 52%, 68%...

When the magnetic field gradient reached 5 Tesla per meter, the separation efficiency jumped to 79%.

Lin Mo's heart raced. He continued to adjust other parameters to match this gradient.

The flow rate was reduced to 0.02 meters per second, temperature controlled at 20 degrees Celsius, the solenoid curvature radius optimized to 1.2 meters, and the collection tank position adjusted to a specific angle on the outside of the pipe...

On the screen, the efficiency numbers continued to flicker:

81%, 83%, 84%, 85%...

Finally, it settled at 87.3%.

Lin Mo let out a long breath.

87.3%. A bit higher than the theoretical expectation.

He carefully examined the detailed data for this set of optimal parameters:

Magnetic field strength: 5.2 Tesla (central region)

Magnetic field gradient: 5.8 Tesla/meter

Flow rate: 0.018 meters per second

Temperature: 22 degrees Celsius

Pipe length: 120 meters (spiral structure, actual footprint 3m × 2m)

Collection tank position: 0.3 mm from the outer wall of the pipe

Estimated separation efficiency: 87.3%

Compared to the current experimental data, the efficiency had increased nearly 22-fold.

Lin Mo stared at that number, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.

So the problem was the magnetic field gradient. A uniform magnetic field only allows ions to deflect at a constant speed, whereas a gradient magnetic field can apply a continuously increasing force to the ions, multiplying the deflection efficiency.

He exited the simulation space and found fine beads of sweat had broken out on his forehead again.

The system notification sounded:

【Simulation ended. 100 research points consumed, 240 points remaining. Optimization plan generated and ready for export.】

Lin Mo clicked export, and a detailed parameter report appeared on his computer desktop. He reviewed it carefully to ensure all data was clearly verifiable, then saved it to an encrypted folder.

Outside the window, the eastern horizon was turning the color of a fish's belly.

Another all-nighter.

But he wasn't tired at all.

The next morning, Lin Mo called Chen Xueming to his office.

"Dr. Chen, I thought about your data again last night." He pushed the printed report across. "Take a look at this direction."

Chen Xueming took the report and began reading.

Page one: The effect of magnetic field gradient on separation efficiency. His brow furrowed slightly.

Page two: List of optimal parameter combinations. His eyes began to light up.

Page three: Implementation plan for the gradient magnetic field—by changing the winding density of the superconducting coils to create a strong gradient in specific areas. His breathing quickened.

Turning to the last page, he looked up at Lin Mo in disbelief:

"Teacher Lin, 87.3%? This is nearly four times higher than our current 23%!"

Lin Mo nodded. "Theoretically, yes. The key is the magnetic field gradient. Your current magnets produce a uniform magnetic field, so the force on the ions is constant, and the deflection efficiency is limited. If we change to a gradient magnetic field, so the force on the ions gradually increases after they enter the field, the deflection effect will be much better."

Chen Xueming looked back down at the report and asked:

"How do we achieve this gradient? Our magnets were all made by Academician Wang's side with fixed coil spacing."

Lin Mo said, "It can be modified. No need to remake the magnets; just adjust the coil winding—wind them tighter near the pipe inlet and looser near the outlet to create a gradient."

Chen Xueming thought about it and nodded. "That makes sense. I'll contact Academician Wang's team and see if they can help us make a set of gradient coils."

Lin Mo said, "As soon as possible. If this direction is successfully verified, Lithium Extraction from Seawater will truly have a chance."

Chen Xueming stood up and said solemnly:

"Teacher Lin, I'll get right on it."

He reached the door, then turned back to look at Lin Mo:

"Teacher Lin, did you pull another all-nighter?"

Lin Mo smiled. "I'm used to it."

Chen Xueming looked at him, silent for a few seconds, and then said:

"Take care of yourself. You are the team's pillar of stability."

With that, he pushed the door and left.

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then laughed.

'pillar of stability.' That term is quite interesting.

In the afternoon, Chen Xueming got in touch with Wang Zhenguo's team.

The one who answered was Xiao Zhou, the engineer who was responsible for the superconducting materials last time. Once Chen Xueming explained the requirements, Xiao Zhou understood immediately:

"gradient magnetic field? Sure. Coil winding is adjustable anyway; we just need to redesign the winding template. What gradient do you need?"

Chen Xueming flipped through the report Lin Mo gave him. "About 5.8 Tesla per meter."

Xiao Zhou let out a whistle. "That's quite a gradient. We'll need thinner wire and tighter winding. But it should be fine. Give us a week to make a set of experimental coils first."

Chen Xueming was overjoyed. "Great! What support do you need?"

Xiao Zhou laughed. "Just send the existing magnets back to us. We'll modify them and send them back. You cover the shipping."

Chen Xueming also laughed. "No problem!"

After hanging up, he immediately went to find Zhang Zhe to have him prepare to dismantle the magnets.

Zhang Zhe showed a rare expression of surprise. "gradient magnetic field? This idea... who came up with it?"

Chen Xueming pointed toward Lin Mo's office.

Zhang Zhe was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"How on earth is Teacher Lin's brain wired?"

Chen Xueming shook his head. "I'd like to know too."

A week later, the modified magnets were sent back.

Chen Xueming unpacked them himself, carefully holding the set of coils. The difference was visible to the naked eye—the coils at the inlet end were significantly denser than at the outlet end, packed tightly together like a spring compressed on one side.

"Let's install them and try," he said.

Zhang Zhe and Li Xiao worked together to install the new magnets onto the device. They connected the power supply and cooling system, then started the test.

Li Xiao stared at the data on the screen, her eyes growing brighter:

"Magnetic field strength... 6.1 Tesla at the inlet, 4.3 Tesla at the outlet, a gradient of 5.9 Tesla per meter! Exactly what Xiao Zhou said!"

Chen Xueming's heart raced. "Prepare the experiment!"

The experiment began at two in the afternoon.

The simulated seawater solution flowed slowly into the pipe, passed through the gradient magnetic field region, and entered the collection system. On Li Xiao's monitor, the data flickered in real-time.

Inlet lithium concentration: 0.17 mg/L

Outlet lithium concentration: 0.03 mg/L

Real-time separation efficiency: 82.4%

Chen Xueming stared at the number, holding his breath.

82.4%. Still a bit of a gap from the theoretical value of 87.3%, but it had already far exceeded the previous 23%.

"Keep it running," he said. "We'll check again once it stabilizes."

The device ran continuously for four hours. Li Xiao recorded the data every half hour, and the efficiency remained stable between 80% and 83%.

At six in the evening, Chen Xueming announced the end of the experiment.

Standing before the device, looking at the seawater flowing quietly, his eyes felt a bit warm.

82%. It took ten days to go from 0% to 23%, but only eight days to go from 23% to 82%.

When the direction is right, everything really falls into place.

Li Xiao ran over. "Dr. Chen! We succeeded!"

Chen Xueming turned around, looked at her, and smiled:

"It's our success."

Zhang Zhe walked over, showing a rare smile. "This gradient magnetic field idea is absolutely brilliant."

Li Xiao suddenly remembered something. "By the way, where's Teacher Lin? We have to tell him the good news!"

Chen Xueming said, "I'll go find him."

Lin Mo was writing materials in his office when he heard a knock and looked up.

Chen Xueming pushed the door open, his face carrying an irrepressible smile:

"Teacher Lin, 82%."

Lin Mo was stunned for a moment, then smiled:

"Congratulations."

Chen Xueming walked up to him and said seriously:

"Teacher Lin, thank you for your plan. Without that gradient magnetic field idea, we would still be spinning our wheels."

Lin Mo shook his head. "It wasn't just my credit. You guys were the ones who made it happen."

Chen Xueming looked at him, silent for a few seconds, and then asked:

"Teacher Lin, I've been wanting to ask you a question."

Lin Mo nodded. "Ask away."

"Where exactly do those ideas of yours come from?" Chen Xueming stared into his eyes. "Room-Temperature Superconductivity, Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Lithium Extraction from Seawater, gradient magnetic fields—every one of them seems to have dropped from the sky. How can you, a Ph.D. Student, know so much?"

Lin Mo didn't avoid his gaze, just smiled slightly.

"Dr. Chen, do you believe in intuition?"

Chen Xueming was taken aback. "Intuition?"

Lin Mo nodded. "With some things, I just have a gut feeling that it should be done that way. I can't explain why, but it just feels right."

Chen Xueming looked at him for a long time, then said slowly:

"Teacher Lin, you really are a complete mystery."

Lin Mo laughed. "Let me be a mystery then. As long as we can produce results, whether I'm a mystery or not doesn't matter."

Chen Xueming also laughed:

"That's true."

That night, Lin Mo sat alone in his office again.

He opened the system interface and looked at the figure of 240 remaining points.

This simulation cost 100 points and yielded an 82% separation efficiency. It was worth it.

He thought of Chen Xueming's question: Where do your ideas come from?

He couldn't tell the truth. But he knew that without the system, these ideas wouldn't exist.

Outside the window, the night was deep. The lights of the distant laboratory building were still on—Chen Xueming and the others must still be celebrating.

Lin Mo looked at those lights, a smile appearing on his lips.

No matter who gave him the system, or what it ultimately intended to do—

Using it to create something of true value was never wrong.

He shut down the system, stood up, and walked out of the office.

The night breeze brushed his face, carrying the characteristic dry scent of the Gobi Desert.

He took a deep breath and walked toward the dormitory.

Tomorrow, more challenges awaited.