CHAPTER 510: CHAPTER 161 THIS IS BASIC MATHEMATICS OPERATION_4

Actually, in the research group, it’s really not that easy to become numb. It’s just a constant process of elimination. Unable to accept that much of the work is futile work, which already got eliminated at the master’s stage.

By the Ph.D. stage, everyone’s mindset has improved somewhat, but there’s still a sense of frustration when the lab doesn’t yield results.

However, once things get busy, there’s no time to feel that frustration. After all, even though the initial investment came from the client, they are the ones in the lab every day.

But what can we do? The client chose two different directions from the start, which essentially predetermined that one method and approach would be eliminated.

It’s certainly possible for both sides to produce results, but it’s rare for such a win-win situation to happen.

Given funding limitations, from a cost perspective, once there’s a mature solution, there’s no need to keep investing in another immature solution.

Unless it can be proven that the other solution is more effective, or shows immense value in another field, then it might be revisited from archived files for further research.

Hearing Liu Hao’s words, Qiao Yu just smiled. He didn’t quite believe Liu Hao was that carefree.

Otherwise, Liu wouldn’t have rushed downstairs to meet him immediately after his call. But seeing through it without pointing it out is basic courtesy.

With some time on hand, Qiao Yu began thinking about finding the next collaborator, so he proactively asked, "By the way, I heard last time you mentioned another chemistry lab also took on a client project. Their method is different, do you know how far they’ve progressed?"

Liu Hao shook his head and replied with a wry smile, "The other side is our competitor, how could we know so clearly? But last week, the boss mentioned that they’ve tackled two key issues.

One is achieving a breakthrough in polymerization technology, reportedly they’ve obtained a good phase-separated structure in different block copolymers. The other is about optimizing nanoparticle interfaces.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re ahead. Their technology needs to address the synergy between two complex material systems, involving the optimization of multiple chemical and physical processes, which is actually quite complex.

So, the boss also said, it might just be a smokescreen from them, wanting us to give up early. It’s really hard to say about their situation. Not to mention, sometimes in our industry, it also depends on luck."

To be honest, the chemical jargon Brother Liu used was something he didn’t fully understand.

But he grasped the key information. Because as long as it involves the optimization of multiple chemical and physical processes, it inevitably requires massive data analysis.

Chemical processes are complex, and physical coordination processes like phase separation, heat conduction, and stress distribution are equally so. These complex processes are certainly accompanied by nonlinear and dynamic changes.

The parameters involved are similar - ratio, temperature, reaction time, solvent concentration, polymerization rate... The more complex, the more variables, which also means if he succeeds on Brother Liu’s side, the other side should be able to succeed too.

Even if they use different technologies.

So Qiao Yu directly asked, "Oh, if their technology also requires optimization of multiple chemical and physical processes, it must also rely on mathematical analysis, right? They should also seek external assistance?"

Brother Liu nodded and said, "When it comes to that area, they will definitely seek help. But Huairou Institute is directly under the Hua Science Academy, you know. They aren’t short of collaboration partners."

"Yeah, exactly, many involved in mathematics would also collaborate with them for projects—youth base, youth science, and many other projects. In short, they generally aren’t short of projects. And their equipment is impressive too!"

Zhang Haoyuan couldn’t help adding a comment.

Qiao Yu nodded, understanding the situation at Huairou Institute better. But this made him want to connect with them even more.

If he could find out their progress, he’d roughly gauge the attractiveness of his analysis technique to the lab.

As long as his method is useful and the efficiency is high enough, at least higher than their external assistance, many research groups would surely seek his help to contribute to some breakthroughs.

As for getting in touch with the other side, it shouldn’t be much of a problem. Whether it’s his own mentor or his mentor’s mentor, they’re both prominent figures in Huaxia’s mathematics field, so finding out such things should be pretty easy.

If his method could succeed in Brother Liu’s group, he could then ask Director Tian to organize a seminar and invite the project leaders from the other side to join, which probably won’t be an issue.

Apparently, Liu Hao misunderstood Qiao Yu’s intentions and said rather touchingly, "Really, Qiao Yu, you don’t need to worry about our project. If we really can’t manage it, we definitely won’t blame you.

In our field, seven parts rely on effort, the remaining ninety-three parts are destined by fate. If every endeavor was successful, I’d have to think about what to say at the Nobel Prize banquet in Sweden."

That remark lightened up the atmosphere in the lab, everyone started joking around, probably talking about how once their senior brother becomes successful, he shouldn’t forget about them in the future.

Liu Hao also jokingly bantered with the team members, while Qiao Yu listened to everyone’s banter, feeling quite good.

At least everyone could find humor in adversity, indicating the team members had stable mindsets. Qiao Yu liked having partners who could maintain a stable mindset in adversity.