87: Chapter 87: Doesn't it feel like you've wasted your life?

The laboratory quickly fell silent once again.

Except for Wei Zhicheng and Mei Honghui, the other researchers had gone back to their own tasks, but their gazes would still drift toward Zhou Fan from time to time.

"We are currently attempting to create composites by adding various metal matrices to this graphene material. Based on our discussions, if successful, the improved material should enhance the high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance of the metal!"

"Here are the specific experimental progress reports and records..."

Mei Honghui earnestly introduced the latest progress of the project to Zhou Fan, while bringing over a thick stack of documents.

Although the laboratory had computers for data storage, they still habitually printed out core technical data on paper for archiving. This was a tradition passed down by countless scientific predecessors to cope with potential emergencies.

"This is the data archive of the large model simulations; you can see all the simulation results..."

Wei Zhicheng also pulled up numerous simulation experiment files from the high-performance computer.

Deep down, he still had doubts about whether Zhou Fan could truly push the project's progress forward.

Regardless, the young man was brought here by Chang Hongsheng and was the developer of the H1 High-Temperature Resistant Material. It wouldn't hurt to use his input as a reference.

However, he had his own judgment. If the suggestions Zhou Fan proposed failed to convince them, he wouldn't give in, not even for the sake of Chang Hongsheng, the overall head of the materials project.

"Mm, this data is very detailed. You've been quite comprehensive..." Zhou Fan said as he quickly scanned through various data points while checking the most recent simulation results.

He moved very quickly, hardly pausing, occasionally walking over to the test benches to check the equipment's stored data for cross-referencing.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he eventually shook his head slowly.

"A pity. Your direction is wrong!"

As soon as he spoke, the room fell into an instantaneous silence.

Even the busy researchers nearby couldn't help but stop what they were doing, frowning as they looked at Zhou Fan one by one.

"Impossible! This direction was determined after countless meetings and discussions, as well as simulations and deductions by the large model. It absolutely cannot be wrong!"

Wei Zhicheng's heart jolted, and he spoke up subconsciously, his tone serious and certain.

"Engineer Zhou, what is your reasoning?" Mei Honghui also looked at Zhou Fan with a solemn expression, his brow furrowed.

"While your direction can improve various parameters of this material, it won't be able to achieve the extreme values required for the core components!"

Once he entered his working state, Zhou Fan's entire aura changed.

His young face was now composed and serious, his words laced with confidence. The presence he had as the chief engineer of the Room-Temperature Superconductivity project in his previous life emerged naturally.

"Then which direction do you think we should take, and what is the reason?" Wei Zhicheng spoke again, but his tone had unknowingly weakened slightly.

For some reason, looking at Zhou Fan standing before him, he felt a faint, inexplicable sense of pressure.

In a daze, a strange feeling arose, as if he were facing his university mentor.

"My suggestion is to use reinforced carbon material as the matrix!" Zhou Fan didn't keep them in suspense and gave the answer directly, then continued to explain:

"Carbon materials inherently have an extremely high melting point. As long as the material ratio formula is calculated, increasing the existing parameters by 15% to 25% won't be a problem!"

"That is to say... achieving an ultimate melting point of around 3500 and a thermal conductivity of 5300... These parameters would be fine whether used for components under extreme heat, or as heat sinks and cooling channels..."

As he spoke, Zhou Fan had already opened the data simulator on the computer and began inputting standard parameters and the synthesis formula for the reinforced carbon material ratio...

In the next second, a massive amount of data appeared in his mind, outlining complex calculation formulas and countless possibilities derived from simulation. Then, the data and structural graphics outlined by these lines slowly vanished, leaving only the single possibility...

By this time, Zhou Fan had finished inputting all the data. The supercomputer roared to life, and the large data model began the deduction of the simulation experiment!

Everyone stared blankly at Zhou Fan and the supercomputer he was operating.

The laboratory fell into a deep silence.

"Theoretically, an ultimate melting point of 3500 and a thermal conductivity of 5300... If the improved material he mentioned can really be produced, it would be more than enough for our project..."

The original doubt in Mei Honghui's eyes had vanished. At some point, a flicker of anticipation had even grown in his heart. Watching the flickering data stream of the supercomputer simulation, his emotions felt like a roller coaster, rising and falling sharply.

The problems he had worried about earlier didn't exist at all. Seeing the way Zhou Fan skillfully operated various instruments, how did he look like a young man who hadn't even graduated from university? He was practically on par with veteran researchers like them!

Moreover, he had identified a new improvement direction for the H1 High-Temperature Resistant Material so quickly and could accurately state the parameters achievable after the modification.

A light gradually appeared in his eyes. He couldn't help but speculate that perhaps Zhou Fan had already verified this direction long ago, which was why he could see at a glance that the project team's direction was wrong...

That was the only possibility.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but look at Wei Zhicheng. "Old Wei, do you think it'll work?"

"..."

Wei Zhicheng merely shook his head gently.

His eyes remained fixed on the computer Zhou Fan was operating. He couldn't guess if it would succeed, but the facts would tell all.

Seeing Zhou Fan's confident manner, he actually already had an answer in his heart. However, he still found it hard to believe. Could the problem that had plagued them for so long... really be about to be solved?

His heart remained in suspense as time passed, second by second.

"The results are out!"

As the roar of the computer ceased, Zhou Fan's voice rang out.

The preliminary experimental deduction according to the direction he proposed quickly yielded results, with simulation parameters popping up one after another.

At this moment, no one could remain calm. Everyone crowded around the computer screen immediately.

Then, time seemed to freeze as everyone stared at the data on the screen, stunned.

"These parameters... they are exactly as he said! The improvement is a full 20%!!!"

"Incredible! An ultimate melting point of 3600°C... that far exceeds the project's standard requirements!!"

"I'm not dreaming, am I? Graphene-reinforced carbon material... it really works!!!"

"..."

As voices of pleasant surprise rang out in the lab, Wei Zhicheng was completely dazed, his eyes seeing nothing but the data on the computer.

Mei Honghui was also completely stunned, staring blankly at the simulation results, seemingly unable to believe what he was seeing!

"How does it feel? Does it feel like your understanding has been overturned, and like you've lived all these years like a dog?" Chang Hongsheng's voice suddenly rang out, his face full of smiles.

Wei Zhicheng glared at him, but looking at Zhou Fan again, he couldn't refute it.

A bitter smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

"It's alright. I felt the same way the first time I met him. You'll get used to it..." Chang Hongsheng patted both of their shoulders.

Then he clapped his hands.

"Lads, what are you waiting for! Zhou Fan, I'll have to trouble you to hold a meeting for them to discuss the next experimental plan!"

"Sure!" Zhou Fan nodded with a smile.

Only then did the other researchers in the lab snap out of it.

They all grabbed their notebooks and headed excitedly toward the meeting room!