Top Student at Their Peak
Chapter 322 - 124: Is Mathematics Just Going Around in Circles?!_4

Chapter 322: Chapter 124: Is Mathematics Just Going Around in Circles?!_4

"You all heard what Qiao Yu just said, right? If it’s really due to the catalyst surface activity issue in step three, we can reverse engineer the results using the catalyst formulas we used in previous experiments."

"But Brother Liu, that Qiao Yu just started doing chemistry experiments today. Do you really think he’s correct? He didn’t even recognize the equipment in the lab." Zhang Haoyuan couldn’t help but complain.

"The guy is making judgments based on data, not necessarily hands-on experiments. Why do we have to stay in the lab when others can just sit by a computer, do some calculations, and guide our work? Can’t you get a clue?" Liu Hao glared at Zhang Haoyuan.

Qin Zhongliang adjusted his glasses and said, "Uh, let me say a few words. Actually, I think Qiao Yu might have a point. When we previously formulated the catalyst, we used polyethylene glycol for surface modification to reduce byproducts. Theoretically, the purity of polyethylene glycol greatly affects the surface structure.

If there are impurities in polyethylene glycol or some unreacted monomers, it could indeed cause inhomogeneity in the polymer layer, affecting the formation of the porous structure. This indeed could directly impact the surface structure and activity."

It seems we didn’t really pay much attention to this aspect. Each batch of polyethylene glycol was used directly as per the supplier’s specifications, and we didn’t conduct any purity tests, did we? Anyway, I haven’t done any."

And there’s something everyone should know: PEG is stable at a certain temperature but could decompose at 500K, altering the surface structure or even deactivating it. Although we chose high molecular weight polyethylene glycol, we can’t guarantee the quality of every batch, right?"

The conference room fell silent.

Who would bother to conduct a purity test on such a common material... it was always used directly after purchase. If put this way, it does seem possible...

Liu Hao took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let’s give it a try first. This time, we won’t use polyethylene glycol for surface modification. Since Qiao Yu mentioned the key in step three is to increase the specific surface area, we might as well directly use activated carbon first."

"But activated carbon can’t provide precise acid-base control, isn’t that lack of selectivity a bit of a problem?" Qin Zhongliang raised objections again.

"But activated carbon is cheap and convenient, let’s first see if this is the issue. If the results are good, we’ll directly switch to carbon nanotubes." Liu Hao made the final decision.

Carbon nanotubes are for pursuing effects in the laboratory.

After all, this stuff is expensive; if it were to be industrialized, it would increase costs.

But using it in the lab might significantly enhance conversion efficiency. Moreover, the technology can be kept for now; maybe in the future, if the cost of carbon nanotubes drops, it can be used industrially.

If results can be achieved using carbon nanotubes, we can start looking for other low-cost material replacements next, such as silica, alumina, etc...

The most crucial thing now is to confirm whether the problem truly lies here.

So, the small meeting concluded, and the others rushed to the lab to get busy.

As for Liu Hao, he returned to the office area and sat beside Qiao Yu.

Looking at Qiao Yu, already diligently programming at the computer, Liu Hao found himself momentarily lost in thought.

If the problem that troubled them for more than half a month was so easily resolved by this sixteen-year-old kid... he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed about facing his boss.

Understanding the experimental process, reading a paper, then analyzing the data to directly find the key point. To Liu Hao, this seemed like a chemical genius, a born chemistry conductor...

"Brother Liu, don’t worry about me; I’ll need a while here."

"Oh, it’s fine. I was just checking some data. Hey, your cup is empty? I’ll get you some water. By the way, do you want tea or coffee?"

"Hmm, milk tea, perhaps?"

"Uh... what flavor?"

"The one with a rich creamy flavor from the third floor of the campus canteen."

"No problem. I’ll have someone bring it over right away."

Soon, the only master’s student in the research group took off his gloves from washing bottles and hurried out of the lab. Twenty minutes later, he returned with six cups of milk tea, charged to Liu Hao’s card.

Drinking the sweet, creamy milk tea, Qiao Yu felt more focused and finally completed the last step. After stretching, he stood up.

"Alright, Brother Liu, you can use this model. If there’s any issue, just contact me on WeChat, and I’ll help you make adjustments."

"That’s it?"

"Yeah, I think it should be fine. I just reviewed the data again, and although I don’t know the exact reason for the 500K fluctuation, data analysis suggests that step might be the problem. As long as you ensure consistent reaction activity, the next results should stabilize. I’m heading out now."

"Wait, it’s almost dinner time. Why not have a meal together?"

"No need, I have other things to do. You don’t know, I have another project on hand, collaborating with Huaqing; that’s the real headache. You’re lucky; solving your problem is relatively easy. Doing a two-dimensional extension of Chevalley’s theorem, sigh... just thinking about it gives me a headache."

"Well... shall I see you off?"

"No need, I’ll just grab a bike and head back. Goodbye, Brother."

"Goodbye!"

Watching Qiao Yu walk out of the lab with light steps, Liu Hao was filled with emotions.