Chapter 1551 Trillion-dollar Market
A few hours later, in the remote video conference room on the top floor of the Torch Laboratory.
The huge screen was divided into two parts. On one side was the Lianhai Institute of Chemical Physics team, led by Academician Zhang Tao and including core members such as Wang Lingxiao. Everyone had a focused and expectant look on their faces. On the other side were several members of the Torch Laboratory's Materials Simulation Group.
"Everyone." Chang Haonan stood in front of the electronic whiteboard, pointing the laser pen at the complex formulas and molecular models displayed on the screen. "The key breakthrough point for the idea of film shrinkage-induced self-assembly lies here—"
He circled a key calculation model for metal-ligand bond energy.
"I introduced a set of modified quantum chemical calculation methods, focusing on analyzing the dynamic energy level changes of specific transition metal phthalocyanine molecules during the thermal spreading process."
Several sets of dazzling orbital energy diagrams and electron cloud distribution simulation animations then appeared on the whiteboard.
"Calculation results show that if we introduce a polarized laser beam of a specific wavelength - the initial simulation points to a narrow band in the near-infrared band - to precisely intervene during a specific thermodynamic window of film contraction..."
"..."
The calculation process given by Chang Haonan is quite complicated. Fortunately, he has taken into account the acceptance capacity of most people in advance and specially refined several steps in the process.
"The energy of this laser beam can very subtly affect the electron cloud distribution and vibration mode between the metal center and the phthalocyanine macroring," Chang Haonan said, moving his laser pointer at the key nodes of the dynamic model, "thus guiding them to arrange and assemble along the direction we preset during the expansion and contraction process..."
He called up a diagram showing the simulation results.
It is clearly shown above that under laser intervention, the originally scattered and disordered metal atoms begin to show a one-dimensional chain structure extending along a specific direction.
Everyone knows that in terms of catalytic effect alone, one-dimensional chains are definitely far behind two-dimensional or even three-dimensional ordered arrays, but it is easier to obtain ideal characterization results.
Especially for the half-finished device that Sun Fei was trying to piece together.
Almost everyone showed joy on their faces at the same time.
Wang Lingxiao, who graduated with this achievement, even waved his fist excitedly.
However, after the initial surprise, the experienced Academician Zhang Tao showed a trace of worry:
"Speaking of characterization... Academician Chang, the equipment that Researcher Sun is putting together is not a mature, rigorously validated commercial instrument after all... If you want to produce academic results, you still need to go through extremely rigorous and complex cross-validation to prove the reliability and authority of the results."
Zhang Tao's concerns are very realistic and point out the biggest weaknesses of the current plan - time difference and academic credibility.
The excitement in the conference room cooled down a bit.
Ever since the invention of the electron microscope, there has been no shortage of people trying to figure out how to use digital images.
From Nobel Prize winners to graduate students from top universities, all have had their papers retracted due to photo-editing.
Therefore, the academic community is generally very vigilant about this aspect.
Not to mention your device which you don't know where it came from.
It is difficult for others to even reproduce it.
Fortunately, Chang Haonan had already anticipated this:
"Don't worry, Academician Zhang. The academic paper can continue the traditional characterization method. The key point is to show that the new catalyst far exceeds the performance of traditional materials, causing a sensation in academia and industry. As for the results of TEM-APT joint characterization, they can be released through the media later."
This proposal made Zhang Tao fall into deep thought.
If you are not planning to immediately impact the top journals, but just want to use public opinion to put pressure on your opponents, then this idea is feasible.
However, there is another problem -
"Academician Chang, the fuel cells and carbon monoxide oxidation that we are mainly researching are not well-known subjects..." Zhang Tao smiled bitterly, "If we only reflect the material performance, it will be difficult to publish the paper in a first-tier journal. As for the industrial scale, it is even pitifully small. Even if some companies are interested in it, it is unlikely to provide enough influence..."
"That's why we have to change our thinking!" Chang Haonan operated the computer and called up another part of Wang Lingxiao's plan. He circled the words "Carrier: metal oxide" with a laser pen.
"Please look here. When I carefully studied your synthesis route, I noticed a key point: the core driving force of your film shrinkage-induced self-assembly method lies in the interfacial interaction between the precursor molecules and the substrate. After our calculations and comparisons..."
As he introduced the topic, he pulled up a new set of energy level comparison diagrams and molecular dynamics simulation results: "The essence of this interaction is the superposition of van der Waals forces and partial chemical bonding."
"Then, here comes the core question." Chang Haonan casually put away the laser pointer and turned to face the camera. "Is the specificity of this interaction really limited to metal oxides?"
This question was like a bolt of lightning, splitting everyone's inherent thinking framework.
Zhang Tao was stunned, his eyes suddenly became sharp, and he stared at the simulation data displayed by Chang Haonan on the screen.
The result is obviously negative.
Carbon-based materials, such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and even nitrogen-doped carbon materials, as well as nitrogen-based materials, such as boron nitride, specific nitrides...
After proper pretreatment and functional group modification, the interface interaction mode between these materials and metal phthalocyanine molecules can be adjusted to achieve the same or even better effect as that of metal oxide substrates by adjusting process parameters.
"Carrier widening..." He muttered repeatedly, his brain working rapidly.
Chang Haonan then dropped the final and most powerful bomb:
"If we use this method to anchor zinc atoms or cobalt atoms in a highly orderly manner on carbon-based carriers such as carbon nanotubes or graphene sheets, forming a single-atom dispersed or short-chain structure..."
We are all experts, so that’s enough for us to say this.
"lithium battery?"
Zhang Tao quickly captured the most critical part:
"Zinc or cobalt atoms as catalytic centers, anchored on highly conductive, high-specific-surface-area carbon-based supports, may significantly improve the insertion/extraction kinetics of lithium ions, inhibit dendrite growth, and improve rate performance and cycle life..."
Chang Haonan tapped the electronic whiteboard with his finger: "It is estimated that the market will be no less than one trillion yuan! The lifeblood of global new energy! Consumer electronics, electric vehicles, energy storage power stations... all fields!"
“If the industry knew that a revolutionary electrode coating material based on single-atom array technology had already been developed, with great potential for performance improvement, but had been unable to undergo in-depth research and development and industrialization due to a malicious patent lawsuit…”
Academician Zhang Tao almost couldn't close his mouth: "I think those giants who bet on the future of new energy will definitely go crazy."
"That's right." Chang Haonan nodded. "So, we need to focus the paper on electrochemical performance, and shock the academic and industrial circles with real data that far exceeds existing materials, so that the whole world can see its huge potential, and then bring the entire industry chain together to put pressure on the other side!"
He sat back in his seat and added:
"Moreover, the huge benefits hidden behind this are far beyond the reach of dozens or hundreds of characterization equipment, and are enough to undermine the already fragile alliance between companies such as FEI, JEOL and Hitachi... and transfer the initiative of choice to us."
