After reading the thesis for the whole day, Lu Zhou finally went to bed when Liu Rui began to snore.
The next day, he got up early.
He went to the cafeteria to buy two buns. Lu Zhou arrived at the laboratory on time.
When he arrived, Senior Brother Liu and Senior Brother Qian had already surrounded the equipment and were busy.
What they had to do today was to use the Fourier infrared spectrometer to draw the FTIR spectrum of each sample and record the absorption peaks of the early hydration reaction of the carbon nanotube modified sample.
"… Our research is mainly aimed at enhancing the solubility of carbon nanotubes in Portland cement and improving the adhesion between the carbon nanotubes and the matrix material." While conducting the experiment, Brother Qian explained to Lu Zhou, "However, the progress of the research is not optimistic. Professor Lee should have told you that we have encountered a bottleneck."
Lu Zhou, who was watching from the side, asked, "What's the specific problem?"
"The problem is here. We measured the data through the Fourier infrared analyzer. Look here," said Brother Qian as he pointed to the FTIR image that had just been printed out. "What do you see?"
Lu Zhou resisted the urge to waste general points. He stared at the still warm A4 paper for a long time. He suddenly recalled what he learned from reading the thesis yesterday. His heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, he saw something wrong with the drawing.
"The characteristic peak of the No. 2 cement sample is abnormal?" Lu Zhou said in an uncertain tone.
"Correct, but not accurate." Brother Qian nodded with approval. He pointed out a few places on the FTIR image and continued, "Sample No. 2 is a cement sample mixed with CNTs. According to the results of the mechanical performance test, our sample No. 2 performed quite well in the compression test, but the performance in the tensile test was not satisfactory. According to the characteristic peak data on the FTIR image at the age of 6-10h, we preliminarily judged that the CNTs material hindered the polymerization process of the silicon tetrahedron in the C-S-H gel, which led to the formation of pores in the cement material in the later stage of the hydration reaction. "
"Then what's the problem?" Lu Zhou was puzzled. "What I mean is … Now that we know the reason for the poor tensile performance of sample No. 2, we just need to solve it, right?"
"It's not as simple as you say," Brother Qian said with a blank expression, "We have tried many methods, including using melamine as a nitrogen precursor regardless of production cost, ball milling the carbon nanotubes under vacuum conditions, and functional modification of the surface of the carbon nanotubes … But judging from the tensile test data of samples 27 and 28, the results are equally bad."
Lu Zhou roughly understood, but he didn't have a better idea.
He nodded and asked, "What do you need me to do?"
Brother Qian: "In order to find a solution, we have done a lot of experiments. Although the budget is still sufficient, we can do a few more experiments. However, a few days ago, we learned that the materials science laboratory at Zhi University may have made a breakthrough in this project. Time doesn't allow us to continue delaying."
After pausing for a moment, Senior Brother Qian sighed and continued.
"We need an expert who is proficient in mathematics, preferably proficient in functional analysis, to help us analyze these experimental data and see if we can find some valuable clues. It would be best to help us find the impact of CNTs materials on the early hydration reaction of Portland cement … I have taught myself functional analysis, but I still have no clue about these data. Sure enough, when it comes to these kinds of difficult calculations, I have to entrust you, the mathematics department's experts. "
Just like how the undergraduate mathematics department didn't offer materials physics courses, the applied physics department didn't offer functional analysis courses. After all, there were very few people who got a double degree at the undergraduate level. Most people would selectively self-study courses that they hadn't taken before according to their own research needs after they were admitted to graduate school.
Lu Zhou thought for a moment and said seriously, "I can't guarantee success, but I can try … When do you want the results?"
"The sooner the better. Although I can wait … It's best if it's within three days." Brother Qian thought for a moment and continued, "After three days, regardless of whether there are results or not, I hope you can at least report to me on the progress."
Lu Zhou nodded and said, "I'll try my best."
After receiving the task from Brother Qian, Lu Zhou went to the library.
Although Brother Liu gave him a desk, the laboratory was too quiet, and the learning atmosphere wasn't strong enough.
In contrast, Lu Zhou preferred places like the library.
Sitting in the middle of a group of people writing, even if he wanted to slack off, he wouldn't be able to resist the sense of urgency and guilt in his heart, and his mind would be focused on studying.
And the most important thing was …
This place more or less reminded him of the feeling of being highly focused.
When he passed by the printing room next to the library, Lu Zhou turned around and went in. The thesis and experimental data were all printed on A4 paper.
He spread out everything he needed on the table. This was his habit of studying complex mathematics problems.
Anyway, it could be reimbursed as research funding, so he didn't need to spend his own money.
Lu Zhou found an empty seat in the library and sat down. He picked up a pen and gently tapped on the draft paper. He was ready to start writing.
However …
Ten minutes passed.
He was still sitting there in the same position and did not move a single word.
Emmmm …
Where should I start?
Lu Zhou did not look good. He was in a dilemma.
If there was a fixed formula or a clear goal, he would be able to think about where to start. However, the current situation was that the physics department did not even know where the problem was, and they needed him, a mathematician, to help them find the bug.
He remembered what Brother Qian said.
You're really pushing the blame …
Lu Zhou looked at the pile of data and felt his scalp tingle.
At this time, he suddenly realized that this task was not as simple as it seemed.
…
Humans were iron, and food was steel.
Even a genius student had to eat.
Lu Zhou sat in the library until twelve o 'clock. He looked at the draft paper and cursed in his heart. He threw the pen on the table and walked to the cafeteria.
When Lu Zhou was getting food in the cafeteria, he bumped into Professor Tang. He walked up to him and sat across from him.
Professor Tang looked at Lu Zhou and asked, "How do you feel?"
"It's difficult! It's much more difficult than a pure mathematics problem, "said Lu Zhou emotionally.
"That's right," said Professor Tang with a smile. He then said, "Mathematics is a scientific research tool. You're studying applied mathematics. There will be many opportunities for similar projects in the future."
"Professor, can you not attack me first? Can you give me some ideas?" sighed Lu Zhou.
"I can't give you ideas. You have to find them yourself, but I can give you some suggestions," said Professor Tang with a smile. He then said, "Didn't you participate in the mathematical modeling competition? Try to remember what it felt like. "
Lu Zhou frowned and thought for a bit. He then quickly shook his head and said, "It's completely different. The reason why an aerospace problem can be transformed into a mathematical problem is because it's a particle motion problem. There are formulas and ready-made data …"
"It's actually the same." Professor Tang shook his head and said, "Whether it's the movement of a spacecraft, the movement of particles, or the change of functional groups … For mathematics, it's all the same. Everything has hidden data that can be mined, there are laws that can be calculated, and mathematical models can be built. If you can't find it, it's because you haven't done enough research. If you think and observe, I'm sure you'll find some clues. "
After Lu Zhou heard Professor Tang's words, he had a thoughtful look on his face.
Professor Tang smiled at Lu Zhou and nodded in his heart.
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