86: Chapter 86 Technical Guidance... So young?

Kyoto, Rocket Engineering Base.

Core Component Materials R&D Group.

The atmosphere in the laboratory was somewhat heavy. Researchers in lab coats were busily working, and their occasional exchanges were very brief.

"The new high-temperature resistant material Chief Engineer Chang brought back can indeed meet most of the Thermal Protection System's needs, but for components in some extreme environments, the parameters are still a bit lacking..."

"Exactly. We must now find a new ratio for the matrix material to improve the material's limit values!"

"This requires a lot of time for trial and error. I just don't know if we'll make it in time!"

"There are still three months. Before then, even if we don't rest day or night, we must complete the material's improvement. We've already taken a shortcut; if we still can't finish it, we might as well throw away our dignity!"

Wei Zhicheng said in a deep voice. As the leader of the Core Component Materials Research Group, he was under immense pressure. Seeing the project delivery deadline getting closer, the progress of the Thermal Protection System Group next door had already far surpassed theirs because of the new material Chang Hongsheng brought back.

And while their progress had also advanced because of this new material, because the core components required higher parameters, they had to develop the material's limit values.

As a result, the timeframe became uncertain. If developing a new material from scratch was like finding a small boat in a vast ocean, then this was equivalent to finding a piece of gold in a thousand-acre lake.

The difficulty might have decreased, but it undoubtedly still required a significant amount of time.

"I heard Old Chang went to Hangzhou City again to meet the developer of that new material?" Mei Honghui, the deputy leader of the R&D group, asked curiously.

"I think so. But so what if he went? Although the problem we're facing now is less difficult than developing a new material, given that the experimental data and processes are already perfected, that person's starting point is the same as ours!"

Wei Zhicheng shook his head, not pinning his hopes on the developer of the new material. He knew very well that if even they couldn't develop the material's limit parameters in a short time, it wouldn't be of much help even if the developer came.

After all, their project group had the most sophisticated equipment available in the country and the best R&D team. With such excellent conditions, he still had that much confidence.

"True. If we can't get it done within the specified time, who else can we count on..." Mei Honghui also sighed.

After a brief exchange, the two threw themselves back into their intense work.

The orderly laboratory soon fell silent again!

Outside the laboratory.

Chang Hongsheng, having finished settling Zhou Fan's accommodation, was walking toward the Core Component Materials Group.

"Do you really not need a break?"

Chang Hongsheng looked at Zhou Fan. The long journey had made him feel a bit tired, but after arriving, Zhou Fan had directly requested to go to the lab to check the situation.

He naturally had no reason to refuse.

"Better to finish early so I can go back!" Zhou Fan smiled.

There was a pile of things waiting for him back in Hangzhou City; he had no time to rest.

He wanted to solve the problems here as quickly as possible, then head back to produce the Transparent Ceramic Crystals as soon as possible.

He knew very well that with High Copper's movements, time was running out for Fanmi. The situation was far more tense than imagined.

Transparent Ceramic Crystals could upgrade the optical components of lithography machines; they had to be produced as soon as possible!

"Alright, then let's go take a look first!" Chang Hongsheng smiled, then began to introduce the situation of the Core Materials Project Group.

"The main problems to be solved now involve core components such as the rocket fuel chamber, nozzles, as well as engine heat sinks and cooling channels..."

"The new material you developed is fine for ordinary Thermal Protection Systems, but these core components require materials with higher melting points and thermal conductivity. We are currently trying new matrix material ratios to improve the material parameters..."

"You should be the most familiar with this material. I wonder if you have any better ways to solve these problems?"

Chang Hongsheng felt a hint of anticipation in his heart. After all, he knew Zhou Fan's abilities well; otherwise, he wouldn't have invited Zhou Fan all the way from Hangzhou City.

"Let's go check the situation first!" Zhou Fan thought for a moment. Although he was confident, he didn't yet understand the progress of Chang Hongsheng and the others' R&D, so it wasn't appropriate to say too much.

"Alright, let's go in and take a look then!"

Chang Hongsheng wasn't in a hurry either. He directly led Zhou Fan into the Core Component Materials R&D Group's laboratory, walking toward several busy figures.

Sensing someone approaching, Wei Zhicheng and the others turned around. Seeing Chang Hongsheng and Zhou Fan, they immediately came forward to greet them.

"Old Chang, how does a busy man like you have time to run over to our place?" Wei Zhicheng spoke with a smile, then his gaze shifted to Zhou Fan beside him.

"This is..."

"Since your progress is so slow, I've brought you some reinforcements!" Chang Hongsheng immediately began the introductions.

"This is Zhou Fan, the developer of the H1-type High-Temperature Resistant Material. He will temporarily join your research group as a technical advisor!"

"Zhou Fan, this is Wei Zhicheng, the leader of the Core Component Materials R&D Group..."

As Chang Hongsheng's voice fell, the gazes of the dozen or so people in the experimental group all turned toward Zhou Fan, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"He's the one you mentioned before... so young?" Wei Zhicheng looked at Zhou Fan and was momentarily stunned, his heart full of surprise. Previously, he had thought Zhou Fan was a new student brought along by Chang Hongsheng.

After all, at such a young age, it was hard to associate him with the developer of a new material.

"Truly young and promising!" Mei Honghui also had a look of surprise on his face. Although he was praising him, he couldn't help but feel a bit odd inside.

He wasn't questioning Chang Hongsheng; he just found it a bit unbelievable looking at Zhou Fan.

At such a young age, normally he shouldn't even have finished university yet, right?

It wasn't that he looked down on Zhou Fan, but rather he knew better that this was, after all, a national-level project. Much of the equipment was the most cutting-edge, completely different from the equipment in outside schools.

He had seen many graduate students and even doctoral students who were very experienced in school laboratories, but upon arriving here, they were completely dazed; they had to relearn and get to know all the equipment from scratch.

Coming here as a technical advisor... can this youngster really do it?

"Leader Wei, let's first take a look at the project's progress!" Zhou Fan looked at Wei Zhicheng, also sensing that the atmosphere was off, but he was used to it.

He was too young right now. Even being brought here by Chang Hongsheng, it was unavoidable that such situations would occur. It takes time for people to change their inherent impressions.

But he didn't want to waste time, so he didn't explain.

"Yes, first introduce Zhou Fan to your project's progress, as well as the experimental directions currently being pursued, and the data—bring it all up..." Chang Hongsheng said without any hesitation.

Seeing this, Wei Zhicheng only nodded.

Then he walked to a nearby computer and pulled up a large amount of data...