1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 80 Pointing to the direction (begging for the first order! First update)
When Li Qiwei was about to express his opinion, everyone looked at him.

Marconi's eyes were burning with excitement.

As a young man obsessed with physics, Li Qiwei's achievements are far beyond his reach, and a random word from him can benefit him for the rest of his life.

Although his family is rich and he runs his own company, people like Li Qiwei will always be the object of Marconi's envy.

Looking at the reactions of the crowd, Li Qiwei smiled lightly and began to make plans, saying: "Lang Zhiwan is right about the first question. A separate device is needed to control it."

"Based on my understanding of the current industrial sector, a breakthrough in electronic products should be achieved in five years at most."

"I recently worked with Philips in the Netherlands to set up a scientific laboratory, and one of our research and development goals is to develop similar products."

"That's why I am so confident in making this prediction."

After much thought, Li Qiwei decided to stop hiding it and directly develop the triode in advance.

Because in 1906, American inventor De Forest invented the triode based on the diode, thus opening up the booming development of wireless electronics.

In just five years, even if he brought the triode technology back to China, it would not have much effect.

Because given China's current situation, any scientific attempt is meaningless before the Spark Project is launched.

Anyway, this is the foundation of electronic technology, and various high-tech equipment will use it in the future. It is better to use Europe's strength to vigorously develop it.

When the time comes, he can just use the ready-made ones.

Li Qiwei could predict the future, but the people present did not know it.

When he boasted that he could solve this problem within five years, Marconi was so excited that he almost jumped up.

Wilson looked shocked. "Bruce, when did you get involved in the industrial world? Did you license your patent to another company?"

Li Qiwei smiled and said, "Yes, it's the patent for tungsten filament light bulbs." Then he explained it to others.

Everyone in the room suddenly felt crazy.

It turns out that the famous wave-particle duality of light was actually raised in Li Qiwei's graduation thesis defense.

Why is my defense only “uh uh uh”?

After everyone calmed down, Li Qiwei continued, "As for the second question, Marconi, I think you are a little pessimistic."

"In theory, although electromagnetic waves propagate in a straight line, they will also be reflected." As he spoke, he began to draw a schematic diagram on a piece of white paper.

"Look, as long as we add a circle of reflection layer on the surface of the earth in the sky, we can reflect the electromagnetic waves that propagate in a straight line and change their path."

"Through multiple reflections between the ground and the reflecting layer, electromagnetic waves can reach any place on the earth."

"Fortunately, I think this reflective layer exists."

"Because of the effect of gravity, there should be a layer of structure composed of various electrons, ions, dust, etc. above the earth."

"This structure should act as a reflective layer, reflecting electromagnetic waves."

Of course, Ridgway did not dare to mention the ionosphere directly, because it was not until 1924 that it was proven to exist by British physicist Appleton.

When he confidently deduced the reflective layer, everyone was stunned.

This is crazy, it's completely theoretical, predicting the reflection of electromagnetic waves.

What a brilliant idea!
Although it has not been verified yet, many scholars, including Marconi, firmly believe that this inference must be correct.

Radio communications over very long distances are definitely possible.

"Bruce, I have to say that your inspiration is endless and your ideas are wild and imaginative," Rutherford said enviously.

"Your idea can even open up a new discipline called meteorological science." As a lecturer, Wilson is very experienced.

"Bruce, you are so powerful. With just a little help, any problem can be easily solved." Several young people were paying homage to him.

Li Qiwei smiled and said that even the airplane would not be invented until the year after next by the Wright brothers in the United States.

It is too early to talk about atmospheric science now.

At this moment, Marconi didn't know how to describe his feelings.

With just a few simple words from the other party, he solved a problem that had been bothering him for nearly a year.

He gave Li Qiwei an excited hug, then held his hands tightly, "Professor Bruce, thank you, you are really my benefactor."

Li Qiwei was a little embarrassed and said, "Calm down, I'm not a professor yet." This made everyone laugh.

Marconi thanked him repeatedly and said, “I am going to conduct an experiment this year to see if communication between Britain and Canada can be achieved.”

"When the time comes, I will tell you the results as soon as possible."

Then he thanked everyone one by one before returning to his seat.

With Marconi's wonderful example as a role model, the atmosphere in the venue suddenly became lively.

Several young guys also came on stage to share their research.

Although in the eyes of bigwigs like Ridgway and Rutherford, their research is still relatively superficial.

But with the previous examples, the two did not dare to take it lightly and would occasionally make a comment or two.

This benefits the sharers a lot, and one word from Li Qiwei can even save them several years of time.

Then, more people started to share, and for a moment, the lively atmosphere in the venue reached its peak.

Laue shared his research on light and various theoretical models of reflection and diffraction.

Einstein shared his research on a new method for measuring the size of molecules, attempting to use a new theory to calculate the radius of molecules.

Even Rutherford couldn't help but look sideways. This Jew left a deep impression on him, as if there was infinite energy contained in the other's brain.

Moreover, this paper is very interesting and expands the application of statistical mechanics.

What a bold idea!
This young man is no ordinary person, no wonder he is valued by Bruce.

Li Qiwei was deeply moved that Einstein published five papers in the miracle year of 1905, each of which was a world-class achievement that shocked the world.

They are the photoelectric effect, measurement of molecular size, explanation of Brownian motion and the existence of atoms, special theory of relativity, and the mass-energy equation.

Now, Li Qiwei has already mastered the photoelectric effect and the theory of relativity, but even so, with a ratio of 2 to 3, he is still no match for Einstein.

Thinking about it this way, Einstein back then was so incredible that one can't help but suspect that he was sent by aliens.

While Ridgway was daydreaming, Einstein finished his report to applause.

Obviously, everyone felt that his talent was probably not inferior to that of Li Qiwei, Rutherford and others.

Li Qiwei looked at the time and suggested that everyone go to eat first, chat with the chemistry people, and then continue in the afternoon.

In the restaurant, Li Qiwei met Langmuir. This American guy was very cheerful and took the initiative to greet him.

Li Qiwei responded politely, he knew that the other party would become Nernst's doctoral student next.

After graduation, he will work for Edison's General Company, responsible for the research and development of new incandescent lamps.

Maybe the two of them might become rivals in the future.

Next, Ridgway found the person among these chemists he most wanted to meet: Fritz Haber.

If you ask what is the most important chemical invention for the development of human society in the early 20th century, synthetic ammonia is undoubtedly the most important one. In the mid-th century, animal manure was a resource that various countries fought over, and even several wars broke out, commonly known as the Guano Wars.

In 1865, Spain declared war on Peru over guano, and Ecuador and Bolivia also joined the war against Spain, which ended in Spain's defeat.

However, since the invention of synthetic ammonia in 1909, scientists have been able to synthesize ammonia directly from the air.

From now on, there will be no need for natural nitrogen fertilizers and no need to fight for bird droppings. Humans can finally break free from the constraints of nature.

Without artificial fertilizers made from synthetic ammonia, scientists estimated that the agricultural technology at the time could only feed 40 billion people at most.

Only when people have enough food will they have various needs, and only then will there be various inventions in later generations.

Food is the primary need of the people. Synthetic ammonia has had a profound impact on the development of world agriculture.

However, its inventor, German chemist Edwin Haber, who won the 1918 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is a controversial figure.

Those who praise him say: He is an angel who brings harvest and joy to mankind, and is a saint who makes bread from air.

Those who cursed him said: He is a devil who brings disaster, suffering and death to mankind.

Because during the first world war, Haber served as the director of the German chemical arsenal, producing chlorine, mustard gas and other poison gases, which were used in the war.

This action caused nearly one million casualties and was strongly condemned by scientists from various countries.

Looking at the bald Harber with a big nose and round head in front of him, Li Qiwei could not see his devilish identity in the future.

So Li Qiwei is very conflicted about his attitude towards him now.

Being a Qing citizen himself, he did not remember any direct harm caused by Harper himself to China.

He also wanted the other party's synthetic ammonia technology to benefit China and solve the subsequent food problem in one fell swoop.

As a major agricultural country, China's pursuit of food is ingrained in its DNA.

In real history, those horrific famines would never happen again in this life. Li Qiwei would never let them happen again.

He would buy a large piece of land, grow food there, and store it to help China when the time comes.

At the same time, he will also bring back the technology of synthetic ammonia to make preparations for both scenarios.

Looking at Harber now, Li Qiwei felt that it was better not to worry about things that had not happened yet.

Take it one step at a time, and maybe in this world, he can stop the other party from going evil.

"Hello, Harper, I'm Bruce Lee."

Haber, who was thinking alone, was suddenly stunned. He didn't expect Li Qiwei to take the initiative to say hello. "Hello, Bruce, I met you at the Berlin Physics Annual Meeting before."

"Your name is really well-known, but you probably didn't notice me at that time."

Li Qiwei laughed and said, "Why, do you chemists still pay attention to physics?"

“I like to listen to lectures in other fields to inspire me,” Haber said. “And the essence of chemistry is physics.”

From Harber's tone, Li Qiwei felt that he was an extremely confident person with a very high energy field.

"I've read the paper you wrote. I heard that you're very knowledgeable about synthetic ammonia?"

"Although low temperature and high pressure conditions are effective, I think if there is a suitable catalyst, it will be more effective."

Harbour was suddenly shocked, "Bruce, aren't you a physicist? How come you also know chemistry?" He put away his contempt and began to look at Li Qiwei.

As a scholar in the field of chemistry, Haber had more respect for Ridgway than worship for him.

He has his own expertise and specialties, and thinks he is no worse than Li Qiwei.

However, one sentence from the other party made Haber realize that the other party might have done research on chemistry, otherwise he would not have been able to coin the term "low temperature and high pressure".

Li Qiwei smiled inwardly, although I am not a chemist, I still know how to synthesize ammonia by adding hydrogen and nitrogen. It is just a balanced reaction.

"You know, I'm from Qing, and I'm very concerned about information related to food, so I usually pay more attention to it."

"So I learned a few chemical terms, but I don't know more than that."

"I think if we could synthesize an artificial fertilizer, its value would be immeasurable."

Harber was a little confused about Li Qiwei. In fact, he had just started to learn about synthetic ammonia.

He wanted to give it a try because he was funded by several entrepreneurs.

In fact, as early as 1795, some people tried to synthesize ammonia through artificial methods, but ultimately failed.

Harber didn't dare to say that he was absolutely sure.

However, Li Qiwei's words still reminded him that he could consider trying a few different catalysts.

"No, Bruce, your suggestion is very professional. I think I need to experiment with it when I get back."

Then the two began to chat, and the more Harber talked, the more shocked he became. Li Qiwei's knowledge of chemistry far exceeded his imagination.

At this moment, Harbour put away his pride and was struck by Li Qiwei's genius.

He felt that if the other party changed his career to become a chemist, he would definitely be at a top level and might be able to easily solve the conditions limiting the synthesis of ammonia.

Soon, the halftime buffet ended and the two branches began their special discussions.

The Young Scholars Conference lasted a total of three days.

During these three days, everyone felt the pleasure of doing academic work.

The free collision of thoughts and the infinite imagination of the soul.

There is no distinction of status here, only a competition of academic level.

After returning, all the participants wanted to promote this model vigorously.

Scholars cannot work in isolation; only by communicating more can they know their own shortcomings and learn how geniuses think about problems.

Even after the meeting was over, everyone was still reluctant to leave, feeling that time had passed too quickly.

At noon on September 9st, everyone gathered in the hotel's auditorium and prepared to return.

Millikan took Ridgway's hand and invited him to visit the United States at all costs, and he would be responsible for his reception.

Li Qiwei smiled and nodded in agreement.

He was definitely going to the United States. He also wanted to see how prosperous the United States was at that time and experience what Li Zhongtang felt like five years ago.

Einstein looked deeply at Li Qiwei, his eyes said it all, and both of them smiled knowingly at the same time.

Finally, Li Qiwei and Solvay bid farewell to all the participants and promised to hold similar meetings in the future.

At the same time, he also asked Xu Qitai to follow Rutherford and Wilson and return directly to Britain.

He took Wang Luyao and Li San to the Netherlands to meet Gerard and see how the production of tungsten filament light bulbs was going.

That is the foundation of his wealth and career, and he cannot afford to lose it.

You have to grasp both academics and money, and you have to be strong in both.

Please place your first order!


(End of this chapter)