CHAPTER 551: CHAPTER 449: MICROWAVE HEATING

The experiment was successful, which naturally was exhilarating and very pleasing.

However, the staff at the base didn’t have time to celebrate; instead, they hurried to collect the experimental data.

Even in the pre-disaster era, the cost of such an experiment was astounding, not only consuming a staggering amount of electricity, but the operation of the equipment itself and its subsequent maintenance were a huge expense.

After all, the Weather Controller’s sheer size speaks for itself, as it is an ultra-large device that requires an entire base to house.

Therefore, every test is extremely valuable, and the results produced, along with the experimental data that can be obtained in the process, become increasingly precious.

This is why everyone seemed even busier after the successful experiment.

Fortunately, preparations had been done in advance, so the collection of experimental data was quick.

"Academician, here is the detailed data from this test." The staff handed over the collected data to Chen Xin and said, "This time, the machine was on for a total of three minutes, performing continuous irradiation on the target area.

Because the irradiation range was reduced to the minimum, the microwave irradiation was relatively focused, and the test results were quite obvious.

According to the observed data, although the irradiation lasted only three minutes, the temperature in the target area rose by about 12°C, increasing from -109°C to -97°C, which was very apparent.

Moreover, the temporary rise in temperature also generated significant airflow disturbances, with the instantaneous wind force reaching level seven in the target area.

There are other related changes, all detailed at the end of the report, which you can check at any time, Academician."

Chen Xin nodded, opened the report recording the experimental data, but frowned and asked the staff, "There is no problem with this temperature record, right? A 12°C increase in three minutes, this speed... even if we narrowed the irradiation range to the minimum, the effect shouldn’t be this good, right?

Back then, in the Suyia experiment records, their first activation maintained continuous irradiation for fifteen minutes, increasing the target area temperature by 3°C, which is too big a difference."

It’s no wonder Chen Xin found it strange; according to the experimental data handed over by the Lucians, when Suyia initially developed the Weather Controller.

An activation test was conducted, similar to Chen Xin’s current test, where the machine was turned on without dispersing chemical agents to irradiate the target area.

According to the test record, the irradiation lasted fifteen minutes, raising the environmental temperature from 21°C to 24°C, causing above level five wind force in the target area after the temperature increased, without any other significant impact.

However, this test initiated by Chen Xin only lasted three minutes, but the temperature increase reached 12°C, which is indeed incredible.

Even if Chen Xin upgraded the equipment twice to improve its efficiency, there shouldn’t be such a disparity.

If calculated as a 12°C increase in three minutes, then with continuous irradiation for half an hour, wouldn’t the temperature in the irradiated area rise to above zero?

While Chen Xin was thinking about this, a staff member explained, "This might be related to the low environmental temperature during our experiment."

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Chen Xin looked at him curiously upon hearing the staff member’s explanation.

"The operation principle of this Weather Controller is to influence molecular motion via microwaves, increasing molecular potential energy, causing the vibration of polar molecules in the air, thereby generating heat and raising the environmental temperature."

Based on the Weather Controller’s working principle, the staff member explained his judgment to Chen Xin: "When the environmental temperature is above zero, molecular motion in the air is relatively active. So when Suyia conducted their experiment initially, there was no significant change.

During our experiment, the environmental temperature was over a hundred degrees below zero, where molecular motion was already not very active. So sudden microwave influence causing intense activity, generating a lot of heat and rapidly raising the temperature is possible."

"That could be possible too." Chen Xin listened to the staff member’s explanation and did not dismiss this conjecture.

The temperature change involves the energy transfer process between two objects, and the efficiency of energy transfer is influenced by the transfer process itself,

Thus, if the conditions differ, the efficiency of energy transfer will also be different.

To cite a simple example, putting ice into boiling water versus putting ice into room temperature water clearly results in different melting speeds.

Thus, the current outcome is indeed likely to be influenced by differing environmental temperatures, making the staff member’s conjecture plausible as well.

But with only the current experimental data, it is still insufficient to confirm or refute this conjecture.

Chen Xin thought about it and then told the staff, "Your conjecture isn’t without possibility, but currently lacking empirical evidence, I can’t ascertain it’s the case. We need more experimental data for comparison.

Additionally, you can send the data back home and see what others think.

Besides, we need to consider the usage issue of the Weather Controller. If the rapid temperature increase is merely due to low temperatures, there’s nothing much to worry about.

But if it can achieve such a temperature increase even above zero degrees, then we need to take caution during both experiments and subsequent actual usage to avoid any issues."

Such concerns could not help but occupy Chen Xin’s thoughts. If his conjecture is true, and the Weather Controller can indeed rapidly heat the target area’s temperature in a short time, with minimal influence from the environmental temperature...

No, even if largely affected by the environmental temperature, as long as the rapid temperature heating of the target area is achievable, in the current sub-zero tens of degrees environment across the Blue Planet, the Weather Controller is essentially a powerful and terrifying weapon.

By aiming it at a specific area and swiftly heating that area’s temperature, even without melting ice or snow, heating the air alone could be lethal.

Moreover, it would be a lethal action without trace, similar to the concepts Chen Xin had seen for microwave weapons, which are massive destruction weapons.

Thinking about this, Chen Xin couldn’t help but become more worried, signaling the staff to continue their duties while he considered whether to report this matter back home.

Although this Weather Controller was developed with the purpose as a meteorological weapon, meteorological weapons are merely indirect harm. If his concern proves true, it becomes a potent direct lethal weapon instead, prompting Chen Xin to contemplate ensuring this outcome’s prevention and keeping it within controllable limits.