Chapter 1579 Take a risk!

Sun Fei opened an exquisite sample box, inside which were dozens of tiny metal needle tip bases neatly arranged.

"Combined with our upgraded fully automatic electropolishing workstation, high-throughput and high-consistency needle tip preparation can be achieved."

He placed a small amount of powder sample in a special mold and started the equipment.

The robotic arm operates precisely, the electrolyte is sprayed in an atomized form, and the current parameters are precisely controlled.

In less than ten minutes, a needle tip sample with the tip polished to atomic level sharpness and carrying the sample was prepared.

Its speed and convenience made the researchers watching exclaim in amazement.

Sun Fei moved smoothly and quickly completed the preparation of more than a dozen needle tip samples, and installed them one by one on a small multifunctional sample rod with a spherical tip.

"The sample holder supports 360-degree tilt without blind spots, which is the basis for high-precision electron tomography."

He inserted the sample rod into the vacuum chamber of the device.

On the main control screen, a complex three-dimensional operation interface lights up.

Sun Fei demonstrated a dazzling operation:

The sample rod rotates and tilts smoothly in the vacuum chamber;

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images are presented in real time with amazing clarity;

The serially acquired two-dimensional images are instantly constructed into a three-dimensional structure by a high-speed inversion algorithm;

The most critical link has arrived - the atomic probe tomography (APT) mode is activated.

"Look here." Sun Fei pointed to the rapidly scrolling data stream and the synchronously constructed 01D point cloud model on the screen. "Another core of MTA- is to use the atomic species and position information obtained by APT to automatically calibrate and optimize the D reconstruction of TEM."

There was a hint of pride in his tone:

“Traditional methods require a lot of manual intervention and trial and error, which takes a very long time, but ours is real-time.”

As the 3D reconstruction process was running at high speed, an operator from the Institute of Chemistry looked at the parameters representing the rotation angle of the sample rod on the screen and couldn't help asking:

"Researcher Sun, if the sample rod is rotated too much during APT data collection, such as close to 180 degrees or even 270 degrees, will it cause the loss of atomic information in some large-angle 'wedge-shaped' areas? After all, the traditional thinking is that..."

He hadn't even finished asking his question when the high-speed scrolling progress bar on the main control screen had already reached the bottom!

With a soft "ding" sound, the calculation is completed.

Then, a detailed three-dimensional atomic structure image instantly filled the entire screen.

This caused everyone's pupils to tremble violently.

Electron microscope imaging is not like taking a camera where you just press the shutter and you're done.

What's more, the device in front of us has more complex functions.

This efficiency is simply astonishing.

"You asked about the rotation angle just now?" Sun Fei smiled slightly, tapped the keyboard a few times with his fingers, and called up the operation log. "Look, I just set it to 270-degree rotation acquisition."

His finger then pointed to an area in the center of the screen with an extremely clear structure and perfect symmetry.

Dozens of bright dots, precisely arranged into a three-dimensional wedge-shaped array.

Each dot represents a specific metal atom.

Although there is a slight deformation at the edge of the array (that is the inherent effect of the electric field distortion at the edge of the sample), the atomic arrangement, bonding distance, and even the spatial distribution of different atomic types in its core area are all vividly displayed.

Understand that an array of atoms is essentially an infinite repetition of the same basic structure.

Therefore, being able to accurately and clearly observe one of the complete units is sufficient to guide the research and synthesis of new materials.

The entire testing center fell into a brief silence.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the atomic world on the screen, and their breathing seemed to stop.

For materials researchers, being able to "see" the target atoms and their arrangement so clearly and directly is extremely shocking.

"Great! That's great!" Zhang Tao felt his blood boiling, even his vision was a little blurry, "Let's take a look at the other samples!"

He suppressed his inner excitement and tried to appear calm.

But in fact, he couldn't suppress it at all, and even his voice was trembling.

Fortunately, at this critical juncture, no one pays attention to these details.

Everyone is waiting for Sun Fei's next move.

The screen images switch, and different metal atom arrays and different compound interface structures are presented one after another like high-precision 3D crystal sculptures.

Only one group of samples lacked some details due to problems with the observation field of view.

The success rate is over 95.8%.

And the atomic resolution capability has reached an astonishing level without exception!

The brief silence was replaced by an outburst of cheers and applause.

"It's done! It's really done!"

"This efficiency... is terrifying!"

"Atoms! I can really see how individual atoms are arranged!"

"..."

Zhang Tao's clenched fists slowly loosened.

This equipment delivery marathon, which lasted nearly thirty hours, finally reached its glorious end.

After a brief celebration, a more realistic question came to everyone's mind:

The testing efficiency of this MTA-01 is far beyond expectations.

"Academician Zhang, the throughput of this treasure will probably soon clear our backlog of testing needs, and we may even have some left over."

A research director said half-jokingly and half-seriously.

"Supply is a good thing." Zhang Tao looked at the exquisite atomic world on the screen with a clear mind. "In the long run, we should consider establishing a high-level public analysis platform to radiate surrounding universities and institutes."

Chen Lei, director of the testing center, immediately showed joy on his face.

His status among his peers depends on these precious treasures!

But Zhang Tao changed the subject: "But, not now."

"The most urgent task is to re-accelerate all the projects that have been stuck in equipment for the past six months!" His tone turned serious, and his eyes swept over the core personnel present: "Especially the key topics of new lithium battery catalyst screening and corrosion-resistant metal coating materials, which have been given the highest priority!"

"..."

……

That evening.

Fu Qinxia's cell phone vibrated.

The screen lit up, and it was a notification message from the office system:

[Lianhai Institute of Chemical Physics Confidentiality Office] Urgent notice: A special education and training on confidentiality and security for all institute staff will be held at 12:15 tomorrow (December 15) in the auditorium of the comprehensive building.

Theme: Build a solid scientific research security line and safeguard national scientific and technological secrets.

Requirements: All staff, postdocs, project employees, and graduate students must attend on time, and sign-in will be counted in the assessment. No leave is allowed without special reasons.

The content of the text message was like ice water, instantly extinguishing the slight sense of relief I felt when I was about to get off work.

Over the past six months, the figure and voice of "David Miller" have already seeped into the cracks of her life.

Every video call, every email that seems to be about academic discussion but is actually careful guidance, is like a spider web wrapped in layers of honey.

She indulged in the illusion of being "understood", "needed" and "appreciated" created by the other party, and regarded the position of "teaching associate professor" that was within her reach as the only way to save her bleak academic career.

She even began to search for rental information in San Francisco late at night, imagining teaching on a sunny campus and getting rid of the endless pressure of essays and assessments...

However, a phone call a few days ago completely shattered this illusory sweetness.

In the video, David Miller still looks sunny and handsome, but his tone is filled with "helplessness" and "apology".

The other party stated that newly hired teaching associate professors must complete a result verification with "clear teaching value transformation potential" during the first contract period.

This could be in the form of developing a new certified course or publishing a high-impact educational paper based on teaching practice... Otherwise, after the contract expires, it can only be converted to a short-term employment contract (Lecturer), with much worse treatment and stability...

Fu Qinxia was struck by lightning, and her voice changed: "How could this happen? Didn't you say before that you wouldn't assess scientific research?"

"I'm surprised too, Xia." David shrugged, looking innocent, "You know, policies in the academic circle always change.

'The potential for transformation of teaching value'... This definition is vague, but the pressure is real.

I tried my best, but the higher-ups were very firm.

I’m sorry to tell you about this change only now.”

The feeling of despair at shattered hopes, mixed with the anger at being deceived, instantly overwhelmed Fu Qinxia.

She almost yelled at the screen, asking the other party why he didn't say it earlier.

But looking at David's "sincere" and "handsome" face, and thinking of the only life-saving straw, she finally swallowed her words back, leaving only bitterness and confusion in her heart.

……

At this moment, this cold confidentiality education notice seemed to further tighten the closing door of Berkeley.

She felt torn apart.

On one hand, the institute’s increasingly stringent confidentiality requirements are like a heavy yoke;

On the other side, there is the thin line leading to the other side of the ideal that requires "results" to grasp.

Just when she was in a state of confusion.

"Sister Xia, what are you daydreaming about again?"

Lin Han on the opposite side asked with concern.

Seeing Lin Han, Fu Qinxia seemed to have found a straw to confide in. After hesitating for a long time, she couldn't help but bring up the topic that haunted her and made her suffer.

“I just saw a WeChat post saying that teaching positions at foreign universities have also started to be assessed on performance… Why does it feel like it’s the same all over the world?”

Her tone was full of fatigue and resentment.

Lin Han was pouring water. Hearing this, he paused. With his back to Fu Qinxia, a barely perceptible smile flashed across his face.

When he turned around again, he had his usual expression, one that was a little naive and envious.

"I think I've seen similar news in the past two days." She put the cup on the table and said casually, "But think about it from another angle. This 'achievement verification' is less stressful than the six-year promotion-or-leave program of the lifelong track, right?"

"Besides, you only need to complete it 'once', right?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "once" and looked at Fu Qinxia with clear eyes.

There seemed to be some kind of magic in that look.

As long as you achieve a one-time result to prove your ability, you will be able to rest assured.

No matter how great the pressure is, it is better than being worried all the time.

……

An extremely dangerous yet fatally tempting thought came to my mind.

And it's becoming clearer and more irresistible.

Lin Han looked at Fu Qinxia's changing expression and knew that the time was almost right.

She said no more and picked up her bag:

"Sister Xia, I'm off work first."

"Don't worry too much. There will always be a way out when you reach the mountain."