Chapter 890
Witnessing History
In the following period, Tangdu Jiaotong University entered an unprecedentedly busy state.
Galaxy Technology was responsible for the technical preparations.
Wa mobilized all of the group's computing resources, including the supercomputing center at Tangdu headquarters, the backup system at Jiucheng Aerospace Center, and the experimental machine at Lucheng Quantum Computing Research Institute, to build an intelligent system specifically for meeting management.
Registration, check-in, accommodation, transportation, and catering for attendees are all automatically allocated and scheduled by the system.
Each participant will receive a unique QR code, which can be scanned to complete all procedures.
During registration, scan the QR code to fill in your personal information, travel itinerary, accommodation requirements, and dietary restrictions.
The system will automatically allocate hotels, arrange transportation, and book restaurants based on this information.
Upon check-in, participants scan a QR code to confirm their identity and receive their conference badge, conference materials, and souvenirs.
The conference badge is printed with the participant's name, organization, photo, and QR code, allowing for one-card access.
When checking into a hotel, simply scan the QR code to enter; no front desk registration is required, and you can directly open the door by scanning the code.
When commuting, scan the code to board the shuttle bus, and the system will automatically dispatch the nearest vehicle and display the waiting time.
When dining out, customers scan a code to pick up their food, and the system automatically matches dietary restrictions and recommends suitable dishes.
With Nuwa's powerful computing capabilities, there was simply no way a problem could arise.
Simultaneously.
Samples of the Xirang were also secretly transported to Tangdu Jiaotong University and stored in a specially modified laboratory.
This laboratory was originally an ordinary laboratory in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, but it has been completely transformed by engineers from Galaxy Technology.
The walls were fitted with a 10-centimeter-thick insulation layer, the windows were replaced with triple-glazed windows, and the doors were replaced with insulated and sealed doors.
The laboratory is equipped with a sophisticated temperature control system that keeps the temperature constant at minus 25 degrees Celsius with an error of no more than 0.1 degrees Celsius.
It also has a pressure control system installed, which keeps the pressure constant at five atmospheres with an error of no more than one percent.
The sample of the soil was placed in a specially made glass display case.
The display case is made of double-layered vacuum glass, with a vacuum in the middle, which can isolate heat to the maximum extent.
The display case is filled with inert gas to prevent the samples from oxidizing.
At the bottom of the display case is a superconducting magnetic levitation device that allows the sample to levitate in the air, showcasing its superconducting properties.
During the conference, the laboratory will be open to invited experts and scholars, allowing them to witness the wonders of the "breathing soil" firsthand.
The opening hours are from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM and from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily.
Only twenty people are allowed per session, and each person's visit time is limited to no more than ten minutes.
Visitors must wear special thermal suits and protective goggles and pass through two sealed doors before entering the laboratory.
The first batch of people who have made reservations for the visit has been confirmed: Eduard Witten, Hiroshi Amano, Martin Streler, Klaus von Klitzing, and Andre Geim. Without exception, all of them are Nobel Prize-winning scholars.
A model of the Lux rocket was transported to the stadium and a special exhibition area was set up.
The model was made at a 1:10 scale, standing ten meters tall and one meter in diameter, with eight engine nozzles neatly arranged, giving it an imposing appearance.
The model is cut open, allowing you to see various parts such as the fuel tank, oxidizer tank, combustion chamber, nozzle, and control system.
Each part has a detailed instruction label with the name, function, and parameters written in both Chinese and English.
Next to the model is a huge LED screen that plays a loop of videos of the Thrace rocket launches.
That's a live video recording of GalaxySpace's first heavy-lift rocket launch in 2018.
In the footage, the rocket slowly rises from the launch pad, its tail spewing orange-red flames as it ascends higher and higher, faster and faster, until it becomes a tiny dot and disappears into the clouds.
The research findings on string theory were compiled into three papers, which were published simultaneously in the Journal of Tsinghua University (Natural Science Edition) and Nature magazine.
The title of the first paper is: "String-theoretic compactification and effective field theory of the Standard Model on six-dimensional self-dual Kaller manifolds".
The title of the second paper is: "A unified framework for supersymmetry and supergravity".
The title of the third paper is: "From String Theory to M-Theory: A Unified Perspective".
This paper proposes a novel framework that unifies five superstring theories under a larger theory and predicts the geometric structure of extra dimensions.
The preprint of the paper was released online three days before the conference started, and downloads instantly exceeded one million.
The arXiv server was almost overwhelmed, and the administrator had to urgently expand the capacity to barely manage it.
Two weeks passed quickly.
During this period, experts and scholars from all over the world began to arrive in Tangdu.
The first delegation to arrive was from Japan.
The group of fifteen, led by three Nobel laureates, including Hiroshi Amano, Makoto Kobayashi, and Toshihide Masukawa, flew directly from Tokyo to Tang Dynasty on a chartered plane.
The airport arranged a special passage, and Galaxy Technology staff held up signs to welcome them.
When Hiroshi Amano walked out of the passage, he was surrounded by a group of reporters. When asked by a reporter, "What are your expectations for this conference?" Amano replied with anticipation, "I look forward to seeing room temperature superconductivity with my own eyes. If it is true, it will be one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of physics."
Then came the European delegation.
Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain... one wave after another, in an endless stream.
Every day, you can see people of all skin colors and speaking all languages in the international arrivals hall of Tangdu Airport.
Some people were dragging suitcases and carrying backpacks, walking in a hurry.
Some people walked in small groups, chatting as they went, discussing the upcoming meeting.
Some people stood at the exit, holding up signs with various names written on them.
Next up was the delegation from the United States.
The team of thirty people, led by Professor Edward Witten of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, included five Nobel laureates, twelve members of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and thirteen top young scholars.
This is the largest and most powerful delegation, and also the subject of the most media attention.
As Witten walked out of the passageway, reporters swarmed around him, their flashes going off everywhere.
Witten waved his hand, declining the reporter's interview: "Don't interview me, go and focus on this academic conference!"
Finally, there were representatives from other countries.
Scholars from almost every country, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, have come to visit.
Some came from prestigious universities, while others came from unknown research institutions, but they all shared the same expectation—to witness history.
All the hotels in Tangdu City are fully booked.
Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Shangri-La, InterContinental, Westin, Sheraton, Crowne Plaza...
At the front desk of all international hotel chains, dozens of people line up every day to check in.
The lobby was filled with scholars dragging suitcases and the sounds of conversations in various languages.
Foreigners are everywhere on the streets and alleys.
Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Europeans, dark-skinned Africans, Arabs wearing headscarves, Japanese people in kimonos, Koreans speaking Korean, Indians in saris... all sorts of skin colors, clothing, and languages intertwine to form a unique landscape.
The citizens of Tangdu have become accustomed to this sight.
Some people jokingly say that Tangdu has now become a "mini United Nations".
Someone took out their phone to take a picture and posted it on WeChat Moments: "Today I saw a group of foreigners at the Bell Tower. They said they were there to attend some academic conference. They seemed very impressive."
Someone kindly offered directions, saying in broken English, "Go straight, then turn left, and you will see the hotel."
Although the grammar was incorrect, the other person understood, smiled, nodded, and said, "Thank you."
All of this will come to a head in three days at the stadium of Tangdu Jiaotong University.
June.
The World Academic Conference finally convened amidst great anticipation.
Seven o'clock in the morning.
The sun shines brightly on the campus of Jiaotong University in Tangdu District, under a cloudless sky.
The June sun shines on you, warm and pleasant, making you feel good.
At the school gate, the security checkpoint is already open.
Attendees lined up in long queues, passing through security checks and scanning QR codes to enter the venue.
Security personnel, armed with metal detectors, carefully checked everyone's luggage.
Volunteers stood by, enthusiastically guiding the flow of people.
The campus was filled with scholars dressed in all sorts of colorful clothes.
Some people were dressed in suits and ties, looking as formal as if they were attending a state banquet.
Some people were dressed casually, carrying backpacks, looking as relaxed as if they were going to class.
The main stadium is already full, with all 10,000 seats occupied.
Thirty-five thousand scholars from around the world gathered together, awaiting the start of the conference.
On the stage, a huge LED screen was playing a promotional video for Galaxy Technology.
In the footage, rockets soar into the sky, electric cars speed by, chips gleam under microscopes, and scientists are busy in laboratories...
Finally, the image freezes on a line of text: "Technology enables humanity to go further."
At 8 o'clock sharp, the music started.
The host walked onto the stage. He was a famous host from CCTV, with a loud voice and a graceful demeanor.
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning!" Applause broke out.
"Welcome to Tangdu, welcome to Tangdu Jiaotong University, to participate in the 'Century Academic Symposium and Frontier Scientific and Technological Achievements Release Conference'. Today, 35,000 scholars from all over the world have gathered together to witness a grand event in the history of human science and technology."
Applause erupted again.
"First of all, please welcome Academician Wang Qinian, President of Tangdu Jiaotong University, to give a speech."
Wang Qinian walked onto the stage, wearing a dark gray Zhongshan suit, looking energetic and walking with a steady gait.
He walked to the microphone, cleared his throat, and said, "Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning!"
"Tangdu Jiaotong University was founded in 1896 and has a history of 123 years. In these 123 years, we have cultivated countless outstanding talents and made important contributions to the country's scientific and technological development. Today, we welcome 35,000 scholars from all over the world. This is the most glorious moment in the history of our school."
He looked down at the audience, his gaze sweeping over the familiar faces.
Yang Zhenning, Witten, Shing-Tung Yau, Samuel Ting, Hiroshi Amano, Martin Strel...
Each of these individuals is a scholar with a great international reputation.
"Because today, one of our distinguished alumni will be showcasing his research findings to the world. This alumnus is Mr. Wang Donglai, the founder of Galaxy Technology and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences!"
The applause erupted once again.
At this moment, Wang Qinian said nothing more and stepped aside with a smile.
Wang Donglai stepped onto the stage.
He was wearing a dark blue casual suit with a white shirt underneath, and no tie.
His steps were steady, his expression calm, and he showed no signs of tension.
He walked to the microphone and looked at the dark mass of people below the stage.
Thirty-five thousand people, the most brilliant minds of all mankind, have gathered here at this moment.
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good morning."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried throughout the entire stadium through the speakers.
"My name is Wang Donglai, the founder of Galaxy Technology, and an alumnus of Tangdu Jiaotong University."
"Today, I want to share something with you."
He pressed a button on the remote control in his hand, and the LED screen behind him lit up.
A photograph appeared on the screen.
It was a huge reading room with enormous bookshelves and walls covered with formulas and drawings.
"This is where I read and think, and it is here that I began to study string theory and wrote my paper."
The audience fell silent.
He pressed a button on the remote control, and the screen switched.
On the screen, lines of complex formulas appeared, densely packed and dazzling.
“I spent some time studying these formulas. I discovered the patterns behind them, I found the connections between them, and I saw the direction they pointed to.”
"Today, I want to tell you what I have seen."
The screen switched again.
A giant conch shell appeared.
The conch shell is spiral-shaped and composed of countless formulas and symbols.
From bottom to top, from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics, from relativity to string theory, all the achievements of physics are integrated into this conch shell.
The audience was completely silent.
Everyone stared wide-eyed at the conch shell.
"This is a physical model I proposed, which I call 'the conch shell'."
He pointed to the bottom of the conch shell and said, "This is classical mechanics: Newton's laws, Kepler's laws, and Coulomb's law."
"This is electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations. This is relativity, special and general. This is quantum mechanics, wave functions and operators. This is particle physics, the Standard Model."
"This is string theory, this is superstring theory, this is M-theory."
Finally, Wang Donglai pointed the laser pointer at the top of the conch shell: "This is..."
He paused.
"This is tomorrow's physics. It is the physics that we do not yet know, but will eventually know."
Some people in the audience began to applaud.
The applause grew louder and louder, eventually merging into a thunderous roar.
Wang Donglai waited quietly until the applause subsided.
"This conch shell represents my understanding of physics. It's not a final theory, but a framework, a direction. It tells us where we come from, where we're going, and how to navigate the path in between."
"Today, I would like to share with you some of the progress I have made along this path."
The screen switched again.
A piece of silver-gray material appeared, suspended in the magnetic field.
"This is the Breath of Earth."
"A room-temperature superconducting material. It can achieve zero resistance at -23 degrees Celsius and four to five atmospheres of pressure."
A commotion broke out in the audience.
Some people stood up, some exclaimed in surprise, and some pushed their way forward to get a better look.
"The significance of the Breath of Earth is self-evident."
"Magnetic levitation trains consume zero energy, lossless power transmission to the grid becomes a reality, the difficulty of magnetic confinement of nuclear fusion devices has decreased by an order of magnitude, a new solution has been found for the decoherence problem of quantum computers, and the thermal barrier of spacecraft has been completely solved..."
He rattled off more than a dozen applications in one breath.
Each time a point was mentioned, a gasp of surprise rippled through the audience.
"Most importantly..."
"The 'breathing soil' is just the beginning. Its critical temperature can be pushed higher. Its critical pressure can be pushed lower. One day, it will truly achieve room temperature superconductivity and operate at normal temperature and pressure."
Applause erupted again.
This time, the applause lasted for a full five minutes.
After the applause subsided, Wang Donglai and the others continued their speech.
"Next, I would like to share with you the breakthroughs in string theory."
The screen switched, revealing lines of complex formulas.
"As everyone knows, the biggest problem facing string theory is why we choose the Calabi-Yau space with an absolute Euler number of 6. This problem has puzzled physicists for nearly half a century."
He pointed to the formulas: "Now, I have the answer."
He began to explain.
Formulas come one after another, derivations are made step by step, and logic is linked together.
Below the stage, the top physicists stared wide-eyed, frantically taking notes, thinking, and trying to understand.
Some nodded frequently, some frowned in thought, some suddenly realized, and some were very excited.
Wei Teng sat in the first row, listening and taking notes, his hands trembling.
Yau Shing-Tung sat next to him, his expression serious, his eyes fixed on the screen.
Mr. Yang sat in the front. He was old and hard of hearing, but his eyes were glued to the screen, afraid of missing any detail.
Ding Zhaozhong sat in the fifth row, silently calculating and verifying Wang Donglai's deduction.
Hiroshi Amano sat in the seventh row. Although his major was not string theory, he could feel the weight of this achievement.
He recalled the excitement he felt when he discovered blue LEDs, and Wang Donglai must be feeling the same way now.
The explanation lasted for a full two hours.
When Wang Dong finished explaining the last formula and put down the remote control, the audience fell silent.
Everyone was looking at him with complicated expressions.
There was admiration, shock, envy, jealousy, resentment, and frustration.
But more than anything, there was a sense of bewilderment.
The two-hour explanation contained a lot of information, and they needed time to digest it.
Wang Donglai stood quietly, waiting.
In such a short time, the audience naturally had no way to immediately verify whether Wang Donglai's theory was correct.
No theory can be accepted as truth the moment it is put forward.
It always takes time to verify and to accept criticism.
Only theories that can withstand scrutiny and verification can become true truths.
However, even so, all these scholars in the audience knew one thing.
That's them witnessing history. (End of Chapter)