Chapter 503

Heading toward the laboratory, he pondered his schedule for the coming period on the way.

Superconducting thin film experiments, battery experiments, helping Song Yao with her model, and then preparing for the report in mid-December—his schedule was packed.

"I've got my work cut out for me."

Xu Qingzhou shook his head with a smile, though he didn't feel tired; after all, trying new things always gave one a sense of anticipation.

As soon as he entered the office, he heard Carson say excitedly, "Professor, it seems there's an effect!"

"Oh, let me see."

Xu Qingzhou came to the computer: "Abnormal change in the intensity ratio of the Raman spectrum D-peak to G-peak (ID/IG), data: ID/IG=0.38±0.05, control group ID/IG=0.42±0.03."

Carson said, "The graphene defect density decreased by about 10%, implying that the plasma may have induced interface electronic state reorganization, but the error ranges overlap, requiring higher precision testing."

"Correct." Xu Qingzhou nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "The JC maximum value of sample B2018010264 reached 1.3×10 A/cm, implying strong parameter sensitivity; there may be local pinning center optimization."

"Right."

Carson nodded slightly and sighed, "Regrettably, the second piece is completely ruined, making it impossible to conduct the next set of experiments; we can only refer to certain data."

There was a significant effect, but it was limited to a certain item—for instance, the defect density mentioned above decreased, but the graphene showed damage.

"You proceed with the next step of processing, ALD deposition."

"No problem."

Carson took the sample into the laboratory, while Xu Qingzhou sat down in front of the computer and took out a manuscript to verify his calculations.

He hoped to find the source of the problem through mathematical methods.

4:00 PM.

Xu Qingzhou gathered everyone together to consolidate the next experimental plan: "For the next experiment, increase the Nb(OEt) pulse time from 0.1s to 0.15s, and decrease the Sn(CH) pulse time from 0.2s to 0.18s."

"No problem."

Carson was full of energy.

Xu Qingzhou spent two weeks preparing the experimental application and plan, and the Technology Transfer Office was very efficient, drafting the agreement and sending it to Xu Qingzhou on November 14th.

Song Yao checked it once, added a few small clauses, and after confirming that every part was perfect, sent the agreement over.

Meanwhile, the superconducting thin film experiment was going well; Carson and his two little assistants had spent two weeks repeatedly experimenting in the lab to find reasonable parameters.

After two weeks of continuous busyness, Xu Qingzhou gave everyone two days off this weekend, while he himself reserved 4 hours of lab time.

According to the materials he had read over the years, the core strategies for inhibiting lithium dendrites currently revolved around optimizing lithium-ion distribution, improving interface stability, and regulating deposition behavior.

Therefore, he also intended to follow this direction.

On November 16th, a heavy rain cut the temperature in half, and the air carried a cold, chilly bite.

The scenery at MIT was a unique sight in Boston. Entering the late stage of fallen leaves, deep red, orange-yellow, or golden maple leaves intertwined, and the ancient architecture blended with the natural scenery, like an oil painting by Van Gogh.

Beside the white SUV, Xu Qingzhou helped Song Yao pull up her collar: "How comfortable it would be to hide at home."

"Are you looking down on me?"

"How could I dare." Xu Qingzhou couldn't help but pinch the girl's cheek.

Song Yao pouted, lifting her chin to make it easier for Xu Qingzhou to adjust her scarf, her eyes surveying the scenery in the distance.

These days, she and Xu Qingzhou were both busy; except for the mornings, they basically couldn't meet during the day. On the 20th, she also had to go to San Francisco with Professor Morton to attend a seminar.

They would have to be separated for another six or seven days.

She happened to be off today and just wanted to stay with Xu Qingzhou.

The two headed toward the laboratory.

10 minutes passed, but Xu Qingzhou unexpectedly saw a little girl looking down at a book, "Eh, aren't you on break?"

"Professor Xu is free, so I came here to read."

Sun Simin said embarrassedly, suddenly noticing Song Yao behind Xu Qingzhou, and was suddenly a bit excited, "Hello, Senior Sister Song."

"Hello."

Song Yao blinked, not understanding what this little girl was excited about. However, she had previously learned about this girl from Xu Qingzhou—a bit introverted, but very talented.

"It seems I don't need to introduce much; my wife, Song Yao."

Xu Qingzhou introduced Sun Simin to Song Yao: "This is Sun Simin, an applied mathematics major, a sophomore."

Song Yao enjoyed the word "wife" and nodded at Sun Simin again.

"This is my spot; I usually do experiments inside."

Xu Qingzhou pointed to the laboratory behind the transparent glass.

Song Yao looked around curiously; the compact little room was filled with various instruments.

Xu Qingzhou let Song Yao sit in his spot and didn't waste time, putting on a white lab coat and entering the lab. He had collected all the materials needed for the experiment from the management office before they got off work yesterday.

Furthermore, he had already prepared the high-nickel ternary positive electrode. There was no helping it; this thing needed to be placed in a vacuum drying oven, dried at 80°C for 12 hours, with a compacted density of 3.4g/cm³.

For the negative electrode material, Xu Qingzhou used lithium metal foil, with a thickness of 50-100μm, purity ≥99.9%, and a diameter of 12mm.

The electrolyte needed to be prepared on the spot: 1M LiPF₆ dissolved in EC/DEC, with a volume ratio of 1:1, and then 2% FEC (fluoroethylene carbonate) added.

He used a Celgard 2400 separator, a PP/PE/PP three-layer structure, with a pore size of 0.1-0.2μm.

Outside the transparent glass, Song Yao glanced at Xu Qingzhou in front of the glove box and pursed her lips, sighing that a man working seriously was the most handsome.

"Senior Sister Song, have some water."

Sun Simin took a cup of water and handed it to Song Yao timidly. Clearly, even though this girl had been staying outside for over a year, her social anxiety attributes hadn't diminished.

"Thank you."

Song Yao took the paper cup and didn't just stand there; after watching for a while, she sat down in Xu Qingzhou's spot.

Sun Simin said very enthusiastically: "Senior Sister Song, you and Professor Xu are such a perfect match."

A beautiful hair bun, exquisite features, crystal-clear eyes, a high-bridged nose, and the cold, fair skin that girls envied most.

The most attractive thing should be that powerful aura, which could make people feel inferior.

Song Yao said thank you again, having a good impression of this little junior sister who had such a good eye.

In front of her idol, once the chatterbox was opened, it couldn't be stopped.

"Senior Sister, are you and the Professor returning to the country next year?"

"Hmm, if early, June; if late, August." Song Yao answered while holding her water cup, feeling a bit puzzled inside—didn't Xu Qingzhou say Sun Simin was very introverted?

"I was just saying I'd wait to apply for the Professor's graduate program later."

Sun Simin paused and explained in a panic: "I just purely think the Professor is very amazing and want to follow him to learn."

"I didn't misunderstand..."

Song Yao shook her head and raised her eyes to look at the young man in the laboratory; he still looked a bit like a teacher now.

As for the rest, there was even less need to worry.

Daring to have other thoughts.

She'd beat them to death.

Of course, there shouldn't be such an opportunity; after all, although this guy usually had a devil-may-care attitude, he had his own bottom line.

(End of chapter)