Chapter 369: Starting To Doubt Life
“Thanks for the invitation. My observation angle is different from everyone’s. Haven’t you noticed one thing?
This should be the first time in history that a Nature journal from beginning to end has only China names. The names may be in English, like Randolph, but the surnames are definitely all Chinese surnames. This is also the first time in history.
You can only see English names in the editor’s proofreading column. Winning the Nobel Prize is a future matter. Of course, I believe that with this achievement, they will definitely win the Nobel Prize, but right now, just this feels satisfying enough.
Before this, who could have imagined that Nature in CNS would be dominated by Chinese names? Isn’t this much more impressive than the Koreans boasting about BTS dominating the charts? The Koreans’ room temperature superconductivity hasn’t been verified even now, but our new photovoltaics have been solidly recognized!”
There is really too much praise on Zhihu about this matter. Netizens have chosen various angles, and this is one of the more interesting angles.
On the Chinese Internet, without a doubt, it’s Ran Shen who’s awesome, with all sorts of praise for Ran Shen.
And in academia, on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, the academic whirlwind has just begun.
Harvard University’s Materials Science and Engineering Department may not be number one in America’s academic landscape, but that depends on who you’re comparing it to.
It can’t compare to Stanford and MIT, nor to other Ivy Leagues?
Professor Kevin is a senior professor in the department, one of the earliest researchers in perovskite materials. He chose the right materials and has ridden the wave of industry development in the past decade, with titles and projects from companies aplenty.
In his office, the walls are hung full of energy research awards and cutting-edge science breakthrough charts from all over the world.
Today, the research group led by Professor Kevin is gathered together to discuss the special issue just mailed from the Nature journal.
China’s this special issue not only has earth-shattering significance from the paper itself, but it’s also one of the rare papers that first caused a huge shock in the capital market, then triggered a strong response in the academic field.
“This paper, to a certain extent, subverts our past understanding of photovoltaic cells.” Professor Kevin spoke first: “The logic we’ve always thought about in the past is to break through the original limits through stacking of photovoltaic modules, letting different coatings absorb different lights to break through the Shockley-Queisser limit, but the China side through their research told us that there’s no need for multi-layer stacking; exquisite structure design can also achieve this.”
Professor Kevin flipped open the paper, his eyes filled with shock and excitement.
“50% photoelectric conversion rate, exceeding everyone’s expectations, but the problem is that its mathematics part is too complex. Many places I don’t understand. To carefully read this article, I specially invited Professor Mahadevan from the Mathematics Department to explain the parts related to mathematics for us.”
Mahadevan is the chairman in Harvard’s applied mathematics field and dean of Mather House, with main research direction in mathematical modeling of physics, which has some relevance to photovoltaic modules, but limited relevance.
However, with his mathematical foundation, understanding and explaining it is still doable.
Mahadevan picked up the paper and said, “Professor Kevin and I are old friends who’ve known each other for many years. We’ve had some collaborative projects in the past, like using mathematical models to study and understand collective behavior of matter and phase transitions.
But we’ve never done it so deeply. The model from Randolph’s hand is, in a certain sense, a subversion of existing quantum photoelectric theory.”
The formulas in the paper are densely packed.
In the entire first half of the special issue, it’s filled with mathematical symbols, complex differential equations, tensor calculations, and quantum mechanics symbols interwoven together.
These mathematical formulas, for PhDs in materials, aren’t much different from heavenly script.
Kevin took over: “Alright, next, Professor Mahadevan will mainly interpret some particularly difficult parts of the paper for us.”
Mahadevan stood up, walked to the whiteboard and said: “Okay, let’s first explain the energy-dependent self-consistent equation. This theoretical model is very abstract; it’s an extension of the non-equilibrium Boltzmann equation, involving coupling of quantum state density and phonon spectrum, as well as nonlinear optimization of complex exciton recombination rates.
Even I find it somewhat difficult to understand at first, let alone the applied research content that everyone here usually comes into contact with.”
If Professor Kevin hadn’t come to him, Mahadevan wouldn’t have wanted to come explain. In his view, do medieval alchemist muggles need to learn astrology?
“The most critical part of the entire model is this section; it solves the dynamics of multi-exciton generation through the self-consistent equation. This part is tensor product and quantum superposition.”
The atmosphere in the meeting room was solemn, the PhDs holding their breath, all listening attentively.
During the lunch break, Professor Kevin carrying his tray walked side by side with Mahadevan: “How many of the PhDs here do you think really understood?”
Mahadevan answered: “Based on my years of teaching experience, none of them understood.
They lack mathematical foundation; it’s almost impossible for them to understand.
Randolph’s paper is not just a technical breakthrough; it’s a huge leap in mathematics and physics.
With your requirements for the PhDs’ math level, it’s not enough for them to understand the profound mathematics in it.
This isn’t their fault; it’s the result of the materials science field emphasizing experiments over theory for many years.
Maybe now is the time to change.”
Similarly, on the campus of Shanghai Jiaotong University, after the paper was published, Lin Ran returned to Shanghai Jiaotong University to give a lecture explaining his latest achievement:
“. Let’s start from the physics background of this formula. We know how important optimizing the exciton recombination rate is; it involves how to minimize thermalization loss while maximizing the generation efficiency of electron-hole pairs.
If we can effectively control this process through mathematical optimization methods, then theoretically, the efficiency of photovoltaic cells can break through the past Shockley-Queisser limit.
This is the core of the entire thinking process! Many times, only by understanding the principle can you achieve analogy in the research process, derive how the experiment should be designed through the principle, to make it exhibit the characteristics you want.”
Lin Ran’s voice gradually rose: “The core problem we must understand is the relationship between exciton generation and electron-phonon coupling.
The equations in the paper, by introducing a new many-body interaction model, let us see more efficient electron transport paths, which were unimaginable in the past.”
The audience below was packed full of Shanghai Jiaotong University students; in their view, this is a benefit unique to Jiaotong University.
On the social media of the Chinese Internet, there are various analyses around this matter. One relatively mainstream view is that this achievement is absolutely Nobel Prize level.
As the leader of this research, Lin Ran 100% deserves a Nobel Prize.
This also means that Lin Ran will be the first scientist in history to win both the Nobel Prize and the Fields Medal.
Of course, this honor Lin Ran had already achieved in the 1960 spacetime; it’s just that time it was the Nobel Peace Prize.
But you can’t say the Nobel Peace Prize isn’t a Nobel.
“I know everyone will have questions: in this process, how do quantum mechanics effects extend from microscopic scale to macroscopic battery design?
This is the core that everyone needs to understand in the entire front part.”
“This part’s mathematical model is actually a multi-dimensional tensor coupling system. Through these tensors, you can see that the evolution path of quantum states is minimized to maximum efficiency.
Every photon’s energy is controlled through precise mathematical calculations into the generation of electron-hole pairs, rather than thermalization or transmission.
So, all optimizations are carried out in non-equilibrium state, rather than under traditional equilibrium state assumptions. It’s precisely this optimization that maximizes the utilization of photon energy under non-thermalized conditions!
This is also the key to success.”
Lin Ran’s lecture lasted three days, with cameras filming, available to watch online, but it couldn’t withstand the students’ enthusiasm.
Watching online, how can it be the same as watching in person?
Although 99% of the students didn’t understand what Lin Ran was saying.
At noon, Lin Ran was invited to the president’s office to rest.
Lin Zhongqing looked at Lin Ran with deep emotions inside. He was soon to take up a local government post, which could be considered completing the most important step of “from scholar to official,” from the university system to local government. This is what countless university bureaucrats dream of, and also the hardest step.
He originally thought there was no hope, but unexpectedly good fortune came from the sky. Sitting at home, achievements fell from heaven.
Every time the education system holds a meeting, Fudan’s president Jin Li is full of envy, jealousy, and hate. This jealousy peaked when it was learned he was about to be sent to local government.
“Professor Lin, I’m leaving my position soon.” Lin Zhongqing said.
Lin Ran smiled: “President, congratulations on retirement.”
Lin Zhongqing, who had just been smiling, immediately stiffened: “What retirement! I’m going to take up a local government post!”
Lin Ran laughed: “I was joking, President. Of course I know. Before your transfer, Yanjing side even asked for my opinion.”
Lin Zhongqing understood. The Shanghai Jiaotong University president position needs to cooperate with Lin Ran, and with the soon-to-be-established frontier technology center, it even more needs the president’s support and cooperation.
Although Lin Ran can’t compare to him in rank, in Yanjing’s view, whether in value or influence, he is far from comparable to Lin Ran.
It’s normal for Yanjing to ask Lin Ran’s opinion; he even feels that without Lin Ran’s nod, his transfer wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.
“The soon-to-be-transferred new president is Fudan’s President Jin. The other party,” Lin Zhongqing originally wanted to complain a bit, but then thought that these two might have to work together for a long time, maybe even a few years, possibly getting along even better than him and Lin Ran. Why speak extra at this time?
“The other party is a sensible person, a good president who thinks for students and teachers.” Lin Zhongqing said.
Indeed, in fighting for benefits for Fudan students, Jin Li has truly done his best.
Lin Ran nodded: “Mm, good, understood.”
He got the implied meaning.
The subtext of Lin Zhongqing’s words is that after I leave, the new president will still think for you and seek convenience for you.
What Lin Ran thought was, no matter who it is, would they dare to give me small shoes? Looking at Lin Zhongqing’s trajectory, wouldn’t they have to rely on me to help make some achievements during their term to let Yanjing see?
Both sides’ interests determine that the other party won’t offend me.
“Oh right, Professor, there’s one more thing: Yanjing side has pre-approved establishing a frontier science research center at Shanghai Jiaotong University.
The director position of the center belongs to no one but you.” Lin Zhongqing said: “That’s what Yanjing side told me, and that’s what I think.
Besides you, I really can’t think of anyone else who deserves to hold this position.”
Lin Ran understood; this is equivalent to another benefit.
In terms of rank, he, as a Two Houses academician, is more than qualified to be the head of a directly affiliated institution under Jiaotong University.
Lin Zhongqing continued: “Yanjing side’s meaning is that your workload is too heavy, so the deputy director is more likely to be the actual manager of the center.
Considering that the other party has to team up with you, if you have any considerations on the personnel selection, you can also give feedback to them; they will fully consider your opinion.
I have some information on professors and scholars suitable for Jiaotong University; I’ll send it to your school email later, so you can take a look and get a general idea.”
Lin Ran asked: “Fully consider?”
Lin Zhongqing thought for a moment and then said firmly: “Yes, fully consider!”
Lin Ran nodded: “Good, please help me feedback to Yanjing on this side. I suggest that having my father serve as deputy director would be more appropriate.
You should know who my father is, right?”
Of course Lin Zhongqing knew; everyone is in the university system. Lin Ran’s father Lin Taihang is simply too famous, okay?
If Jin Li envies him, then he envies Lin Ran’s father for having such a son. Same surname Lin, how come his own son can’t even catch up to one-tenth of Lin Ran?
“I know, Taihang’s resume is certainly sufficient, but aren’t you afraid of attracting resentment by doing this?” Lin Zhongqing reminded.
Lin Ran said faintly: “President, that’s exactly the effect I want.
Of course I know this isn’t good, nepotism, arranging my own father in such a position; doing this will cause criticism.
But if you have no weaknesses, reputation spotless, achievements making others look up like Gao Shan, what do you want to do? Want to be a saint?
No one wants to get close to a saint with no weaknesses; on the contrary, everyone only believes in people with weaknesses.”
Lin Zhongqing was already numb. Are young people nowadays this formidable? The university administrative system is also an administrative sequence; he’s climbed for so many years, yet in this aspect, his thinking isn’t as good as a young man not yet thirty?
The more Lin Zhongqing thought, the more he felt that the other party’s thinking around this matter was intimidating.
First, this speech is said to him, and also to Yanjing. Lin Ran saying it to Lin Zhongqing is equivalent to shouting it to Yanjing.
Second, Yanjing knows, but outside public opinion doesn’t. So on the public opinion level, Lin Ran is a mortal with emotions and desires, who does nepotism, seeks benefits for parents. In Yanjing’s perspective, Lin Ran is a saint who considers all aspects.
Lin Zhongqing had already begun to doubt life: Am I not suited to be an official?
