Silicon Valley, Sarrot Research Institute.
Lying on the table were five resignation letters.
Professor Sarrot didn't touch the resignation letters, but Lu Zhou picked them up with interest and looked at them.
Then, he quickly understood why Sarrot was so furious.
Obviously, this little boss wasn't particularly well-liked in the research institute, at least not in the hearts of some people. Even though he was about to leave, he didn't forget to insult his old boss in his resignation letter.
But then again, before Lu Zhou acquired this research institute, this guy owed these researchers several months of wages. If it wasn't for Lu Zhou's timely appearance, many people might not even be able to pay off their credit cards.
"These f * cking ungrateful bastards!"
Sarrot was sitting at his desk. He was so angry that his body was trembling. His fists were clenched tightly on the table.
Suddenly, the office door was pushed open, and his research assistant walked in with a stack of documents.
The assistant looked at the angry Little Boss and nervously said in a quiet voice.
"Mr. Sarrot, the information you want …"
Even though the assistant was talking to Sarrot, his eyes were looking at the big boss in the office.
Lu Zhou shook his head and reached out his hand.
"Give it to me."
"Okay, professor …"
The assistant handed the documents to Lu Zhou. He sighed in relief and quickly left the office.
When he left, he closed the door behind him.
Lu Zhou sat down on the sofa and picked up the document.
This document was divided into two parts. One part was the original contract of the employee, and the other part was the damage assessment report.
Mobil Chemical acted quickly, and Professor Stanley acted decisively.
As soon as the battle began, the two parties joined hands to give him a show of strength and poached five researchers from his hands.
Even though in a place like San Francisco, where the talent market was oversupplied, poaching people wasn't a big deal. However, the work that they were supposed to be responsible for was left behind.
Because of these five resignation letters, the research progress in Sarrot's laboratory came to a temporary halt.
If that was all, it wouldn't be a big deal.
Poaching also depended on the person being poached. In a mid-level research unit with a well-established management system, even the researchers in charge of the same project would not be able to access all the experimental data.
However, this was the problem.
One of them, a research assistant named Ricardo, was suspected of leaking secrets.
The damage assessment report mentioned that the data the research assistant had access to included the spatial structure of caged carbon molecules provided by Lu Zhou, as well as some incomplete mathematical models …
Although there was no direct evidence to prove that he would leak the secret, some things did not need evidence at all.
However, upon seeing this, Lu Zhou heaved a sigh of relief.
Seeing that Lu Zhou wasn't angry, Sarrot couldn't help but ask, "Aren't you worried at all?
"It's just five assistants." Lu Zhou threw the report on the coffee table and said in a relaxed tone, "It's not a big problem."
"You're saying it's not a big problem?" Sarrot looked at Lu Zhou in disbelief and said excitedly, "Not only do they know the progress of our research, but they also know what we are researching!"
"Don't be so alarmed, my dear Professor Sarrot." Lu Zhou looked at the excited professor and comforted him, "This is San Francisco. Since you like this place, you should be able to understand that poaching and job-hopping are normal means of competition here."
Professor Stanley Whittingham was also a big name in the field of lithium batteries. He was also the director of the Binghamton University Materials Research Institute in the State University of New York system.
As early as 30 years ago, he was a big name in the field of lithium batteries. With the funding of ExxonMobil, he developed the TiS2/Li lithium battery system. If it weren't for the fact that the lithium dendrites couldn't be commercialized, the terrifying theoretical energy density would have been considered black technology at the time.
Compared to this big name, Lu Zhou, who was a "rising star" in the materials science field, didn't have much of an advantage in the materials science field.
Especially since Stanley wasn't fighting alone. The shareholder behind his laboratory was the famous ExxonMobil, a real industry giant that even Umicore was scared of.
In any case, things had already happened, and there was no point in dwelling on it.
Lu Zhou thought for a moment and made his decision.
"According to the non-compete agreement and confidentiality agreement, those who should be held accountable will be held accountable, and those who should be sued will be sued. If ExxonMobil wants to pay for them, then let them."
"This is nothing for ExxonMobil, and we have to spend a lot of money on legal fees," Sarrot complained. He couldn't help but say, "These despicable bastards!"
Lu Zhou shrugged and said, "It doesn't matter, this is our stance against traitors. I will let Star Sky Technology handle the case and hire the best law firm in New York to handle the lawsuit. Even if it's just for show, we have to show others. "
Even though Lu Zhou was a very easy-going person, this didn't mean that he would tolerate people outside of the rules.
Parting on good terms only existed under normal resignation procedures. Since he had changed sides at the last minute, then he should be prepared to "retire" early!
According to the previously signed non-competition agreement, researchers who left their jobs through abnormal procedures would be prohibited from working in related fields for five years. Otherwise, they would have to pay an additional fine. Especially Ricardo, who was going to be charged with industrial espionage. Depending on the seriousness of the case, Ricardo could even face criminal charges.
Lu Zhou paused for a second and said, "Also, we need to strengthen our confidentiality measures."
Professor Sarrot said fiercely, "I will ask the legal department to re-draft a stricter non-compete contract and confidentiality contract."
Lu Zhou nodded and said, "That's only one aspect. You have to remember, the contract terms are never what keeps talent. In order to achieve a specific goal, your opponent will always be able to pay more than you. "
For a company, it was the corporate culture. For a research institute, it was a scientific research environment created by a series of factors such as well-known scholars, top-notch equipment, research results, and management systems.
In contrast, these were the foundation of a research institute.
"I know what you're talking about, but now is not the time to discuss these things." What's next? "Sarrot looked at Lu Zhou and asked," Do we continue to fight against Mobil Chemical? "
Lu Zhou nodded and said, "Of course, we don't have to change our direction because of this small setback."
"They can use ten times our manpower to do the work of ten of us." Sarrot said in a depressed tone, "Forgive me for being blunt, but we have no chance of winning."
Lu Zhou looked at Sarrot and felt helpless.
What should I say?
Even though the HCS-1 material was obtained by accident while studying the caged carbon molecule, and the two theses in Science were indeed from the Sarrot Research Institute.
However, whether it was the caged carbon molecule or the research project of the Sarrot Research Institute, they had nothing to do with lithium-sulfur batteries.
The reason why Sarrot Research Institute was to complete the system mission.
However, these words were obviously not meant to comfort people.
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