Chapter 39: Genetic Engineering Instruments

"What seems to be the problem?" He Xingzhou asked.

"There are many, but the most pressing issue is the gene sequencer," Pan Yan replied. "Our current gene sequencers can only achieve results comparable to your previous test reports; they cannot extract any further useful information."

"As for the bio-chips you hypothesized, there is simply no way to detect them."

"Actually, it's not just the gene sequencer. We lack almost all high-end instruments related to genetic engineering!"

"In this regard, we must admit that foreign technology and equipment are ahead of ours."

He Xingzhou had heard of this before. In the field of genetic engineering, foreign countries had started earlier, and their related technologies and equipment were significantly more advanced.

The most frustrating part was that, due to China's recent rise, developed nations viewed it as a major threat. They had established a list of restrictions on Chinese technology—the so-called "chokehold" list. Genetic engineering, biotechnology, and medical technologies and equipment were all on this list.

Pan Yan continued, "A few years ago, American companies still provided us with the latest gene sequencers, but in recent years, they have completely restricted them. The sequencers and related instruments we use now are one or two generations behind theirs."

"With this equipment, it is difficult for us to achieve any effective research results regarding the Zerg genome. We can only focus our research on other areas."

"The road ahead is long and arduous," He Xingzhou sighed. Scientific research is never a process that can be advanced by a single technology alone. Advancements in biotechnology require corresponding progress in industrial manufacturing.

"I understand. I will find a way to handle this," He Xingzhou said. "Please prepare a list of the instruments and equipment you need."

"Very well." Pan Yan had already anticipated this, though she held little hope. These instruments were high-end precision products, and foreign countries kept a tight grip on them. While domestic efforts were underway, it would take time.

However, He Xingzhou was already thinking that he needed to upgrade his industrial manufacturing technology. Otherwise, even if he knew the principles and finished the designs, he wouldn't be able to manufacture them. While China was a major industrial power, there was still a gap compared to other countries when it came to high-precision, high-performance manufacturing.

Returning to his office, He Xingzhou immediately began reviewing technologies related to industrial manufacturing.

"Ultra-precision manufacturing involves many different techniques," the Quantum Optic Brain explained. "It has special requirements for material composition, processing equipment, tools, measurement, and environmental conditions. To achieve this, you must first unlock applied precision machinery, precision measurement, precision servo systems, computer control, and other related technologies."

He Xingzhou saw that ultra-precision manufacturing was divided into ultra-precision cutting and ultra-precision specialized processing, such as ultra-precision turning, mirror grinding, and lapping. Manufacturing an aspherical mirror with an 800-millimeter diameter for a nuclear fusion device required such ultra-precision lathes, reaching a maximum accuracy of 0.1 microns and a surface roughness of Rz 0.05 microns.

Ultra-precision specialized processing, meanwhile, aimed for the nanometer or even atomic scale. Cutting techniques were insufficient, requiring chemical energy, electrochemical energy, thermal energy, or electrical energy. For instance, the lithography machines used to manufacture chips rely on integrated electron beam processing, a form of ultra-precision specialized processing.

"Unlocking ultra-precision lathes requires 10,000 units of energy, and all the prerequisite technologies add up to several thousand more."

"As for unlocking ultra-precision specialized processing technology, the lithography machine alone requires 100,000 units of energy!"

"Energy is still not enough!" He Xingzhou thought. There were too many technologies to unlock. The nanocrystalline solar power station he had planned was already under construction; once completed, it would provide the Quantum Optic Brain with 200 units of energy per day, totaling about 72,000 units per year. This would not be enough to unlock multiple technologies simultaneously.

"I need more resources! It would be best to build another ultra-large photovoltaic power station in the western region," he mused. The small station at the research institute was not enough. The first batch of state funding had been mostly exhausted on renovating the institute, purchasing equipment, and hiring staff. It had only been two months, and the second batch of funding was still pending approval.

"In that case, I'll use the money from technology licensing!" After licensing his battery developments to other companies, he had secured a fresh influx of funds. He Xingzhou decided to build a large-scale photovoltaic power station in the sunshine-rich northwest of China under the guise of energy research.

He acted immediately, calling Xu Zhilan and several relevant personnel to formulate a plan.

"Site selection and construction must be completed as soon as possible. Cooperate directly with the State Grid under the name of the 'Xuanwu Project.' Our institute will cover the funding," He Xingzhou instructed. The construction capability of the State Grid was highly reliable.

"Understood, we will finish it as soon as possible!" Xu Zhilan noted his requirements and began discussing the full proposal with the team.

"I estimate that building this large-scale photovoltaic station will drain our funds again," He Xingzhou thought. He knew well that scientific research was an incredibly expensive endeavor.

How expensive? Even for the world's richest person, the projects he intended to invest in would be difficult to sustain for long. These ultra-era technologies were so costly that even a nation's resources would struggle to keep up!

"I have to continue promoting technological products to earn more money." He Xingzhou pondered that it was time to release his second video. The magnetic levitation motor technology, once licensed to car manufacturers, should bring in a significant profit.

A few days later, He Xingzhou published his second video on the website: "Building a Maglev Car (Part 2) — Maglev Motor Assembly."

After the release of his first video, his follower count had reached one million! This was thanks to news coverage and the attention from various corporate and media accounts. In the entertainment sector, one million followers was common, as mainstream audiences preferred gossip or viral videos. For a science channel, achieving such attention with technical content was rare. If He Xingzhou hadn't been so busy and had participated in media promotional events, his following could have been several times larger.

As his new video went live, the website immediately pushed notifications to all his followers.

"It's here! It's here!"
"First! Front row!"
"Finally updated! How far did you get this time?"
"Saw the title. You're already doing maglev motors?"
"@Volkswagen, @Dongfang Motors, @Dami Tech, @BYD, @Tesla... The master has updated, come watch quickly!"