Chapter 275: Pulling the First Silicon Crystal

"Although the current usage of the aforementioned metals is not large, they are crucial to future strategic industries such as electronics, aviation, and energy. It is recommended to immediately initiate multi-channel procurement and establish long-term, stable supply relationships with friendly countries. At the same time, increase domestic exploration and extraction efforts to establish a strategic reserve system."

Closing the folder, Li Mingyuan checked the list once more. This seemingly ordinary resource requirement was, in reality, the foundation he had planned for the industrial development of Long Country over the next decade.

The next morning, the resource coordination meeting room.

Li Mingyuan's resource list caused a huge uproar.

"Are these metals really that important?" the old director of the Resource Committee asked, frowning. "We understand molybdenum and nickel, but lithium, rubidium, yttrium... where are the uses for these obscure metals?"

"The use is in the future." Li Mingyuan looked directly at everyone, his tone firm. "Comrades, I can responsibly say that these seemingly 'obscure' metals will be the cornerstone of future high-tech industries. If we do not value them today, we will be held by the throat by Di Guo tomorrow."

"Comrade Li, are you saying these metals will be used in those... electronic devices you are currently developing?" another person asked cautiously.

"Not just electronic devices," Li Mingyuan stood up and drew a simple diagram on the blackboard. "From semiconductors and precision machinery to aerospace, from communication equipment to future energy, these metals all have irreplaceable roles."

He pointed to the connecting lines on the diagram. "This is not the demand of a single industry, but the foundation for the upgrading of the entire industrial system. Di Guo has already begun hoarding these resources globally; they see further than we do."

The meeting room fell into silence; everyone seemed stunned by Li Mingyuan's firmness and foresight.

"Then," the Resource Committee director finally spoke, "how do you think we should obtain these resources? Domestic production is limited, and Di Guo is imposing restrictions in the international market."

Li Mingyuan revealed a faint smile. "It is precisely because of the difficulties that we need innovation. First, trade steel for resources; our steel production capacity is rising rapidly, and we can use this advantage to exchange for rare metals. Second, multi-channel procurement; not only cooperate with Beijixiong Guo, but also develop emerging markets in Africa, South America, and elsewhere. Third, trade technical support for resources; we can provide industrial technical support to some resource-rich countries in exchange for mining rights and long-term supply contracts."

The director nodded. "Your line of thinking is very creative. I will report to my superiors and strive to formulate a comprehensive resource acquisition plan as soon as possible."

After the meeting ended, Minister Chen of the Ministry of Foreign Trade pulled Li Mingyuan aside. "Engineer Li, this list of yours is truly a timely rain. We are preparing to negotiate trade agreements with several countries; with this guiding direction, we can design exchange plans with more focus."

Li Mingyuan smiled. "The country needs to plan for a rainy day. These resources may seem inconspicuous, but looking back ten years from now, you will find they are more precious than gold."

One week later, the secret laboratory of the Northeast Factory.

The members of the Silicon Manufacturing Machine project team had been working for 72 consecutive hours; their eyes were bloodshot, but no one was willing to leave.

"Temperature is stable at 1411 degrees Celsius, with the fluctuation range controlled within ±1 degree," the temperature control Group Leader reported, their voice slightly hoarse from exhaustion.

"Air pressure is normal, and the argon protection system is operating well," the gas system monitor added.

Li Mingyuan stood before the massive Silicon Manufacturing Machine, staring intently at the jumping numbers on the control panel. This machine condensed nearly two months of the team's hard work and was the first piece of equipment in Long Country capable of producing high-purity monocrystalline silicon.

"Prepare to pull," Li Mingyuan took a deep breath. "Check all systems once, and start after confirming there are no errors."

The Hexin of the Silicon Manufacturing Machine was a huge Shi Ying Gan Wo, filled with silicon material that had undergone multiple purifications, with a temperature high enough to completely melt the silicon. A thin seed crystal was slowly immersed into the molten silicon liquid, then slowly pulled upward under precise control, drawing out a gradually solidifying crystal column.

The entire process seemed simple, but in reality, it required controlling dozens of parameters to remain stable simultaneously; any tiny fluctuation could lead to defects in the crystal structure.

"Start pulling," Li Mingyuan ordered, his voice trembling slightly from tension.

The pulling device slowly started; the seed crystal touched the scorching silicon liquid and began the long "growth" process.

The laboratory was so quiet that only the humming of the machine and the tense breathing of the team members could be heard. Everyone knew this was a race against time, precision, and limits.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from Li Mingyuan's forehead, but he remained motionless, staring fixedly at the pulling process. As a transmigrator, he knew the significance of this step for the future semiconductor industry—without high-purity monocrystalline silicon, all electronic dreams were just empty talk.

Time passed second by second, and the pulling process was exceptionally smooth, which exceeded everyone's expectations.

"Engineer Li, the temperature fluctuation is much smaller than expected," Lao Liu said in surprise. "Those compensation algorithms of yours really work!"

Li Mingyuan nodded slightly, but did not dare to relax in the slightest. He knew the real test was still to come—the control of the crystal diameter and the exclusion of impurities.

Six hours later, the pulling process neared its end. A crystal-clear cylinder, about 4 inches in diameter, slowly rose from the furnace, shimmering with a metallic luster under the lights.

"Did we succeed?" someone asked in a low voice, unable to believe their eyes.

Li Mingyuan did not answer immediately, but stepped forward quickly to carefully inspect the crystal surface.

"It looks good," he said softly, "but it still needs further testing for purity and crystal structure."

The testing team immediately took action, taking samples from the crystal and sending them into the temporarily constructed analysis laboratory.

Two hours later, the test results came out.

"9N!" the testing Group Leader said, their voice trembling with excitement. "The purity reached 99.9999999%! The crystal structure is perfect, with no visible defects!"

Cheers erupted in the laboratory instantly; some people hugged each other in excitement, and the old workers even shed tears of joy. Li Mingyuan felt a wave of dizziness; this achievement far exceeded his expectations—they had not only successfully pulled monocrystalline silicon, but had reached the top-tier purity standard on the first try.

"We succeeded," Lao Liu wiped his tears, his voice choked with emotion. "Engineer Li, this... this is simply a miracle!"

Li Mingyuan took a deep breath, trying to calm his excited emotions. "No, this is not a miracle; this is science, and the sweat and wisdom of our team."

He carefully held up the crystal and observed its internal structure against the light. "This is just the beginning. With this foundation, our Lithography Machine project can also be accelerated."

Engineer Liu shook his head, his eyes full of admiration. "You had already calculated everything, right? The Silicon Manufacturing Machine succeeded, just in time to provide materials for the Lithography Machine..."

Li Mingyuan smiled without answering.

In the following days, the entire factory entered a state of near-frenzied work.

At night, he buried himself in designing the blueprints for the first batch of Integrated Circuits.

"What is this?" Lao Liu looked at the dense blueprints on Li Mingyuan's desk and asked curiously.