Chapter 54 Technological Innovators
"Yes, the other party is quite powerful. I'm sorry, this is all I can know with my connections. As for the higher-ups, you know that's not something I can just ask about. But I think this can already help you."
In Xinghai's general manager's office, Jin Qiaoying said "thank you" into the phone, then hung up with an extremely solemn expression.
"Boss Fan, Boss Jin, something bad has happened!"
The office door was pushed open from the outside. Jin Qiaoying frowned, obviously very disgusted by this kind of intrusion without knocking.
"What's the matter? Remember to knock first next time."
The person who came was her secretary, who was Fan Ren's former secretary Li Jia. Because Fan Ren was transferred to another job, he no longer needed a secretary, so he asked her to continue serving the newly appointed Jin Qiaoying.
Li Jia stuck out her tongue with a look of regret, then thought of something and hurriedly walked to the desk with her phone in hand.
"Boss Jin, look, our company is on Bai Yue's list of banned high-tech products."
Upon hearing the news, Jin Qiaoying didn't care about Li Jia's previous gaffe and quickly grabbed the phone and started flipping through it.
Fan Ren sat opposite her. He came today to discuss with her the issue of the lithography machine that was seized at the American customs.
When he heard the news, his face darkened.
Jin Qiaoying handed over the phone, and Fan Ren quickly took it. After quickly reading it, he said to Li Jia who was standing beside him, "You go out first."
Li Jia took the phone, worry showing on her face, then she turned and walked out.
"Purchasing a 14-nanometer lithography machine with outdated technology, did this also touch Bai Yue's nerves?"
Fan Ren was the first to speak in confusion. In his opinion, this banned list was totally groundless.
Xinghai's graphene chip research and development work has always been kept confidential, but it attracted attention just because of a 14-nanometer lithography machine?
Jin Qiaoying sat down. Hiller on the other end of the phone just now had oversimplified the matter. No wonder she couldn't find out any information about the people involved in detaining the equipment with her connections.
After thinking for a while, he still couldn't figure it out, so he looked at Fan Ren.
"It seems we can only wait for domestically produced equipment?"
Fan Ren nodded helplessly. How could he make chips without a lithography machine?
Now we can only console ourselves that fortunately, China’s domestically produced products are now capable of producing 14-nanometer photoelectrode machines.
Otherwise, he would have to lead the team to develop photolithography machines. In that case, the entire chip development cycle would increase several times on the original basis.
Moreover, the R&D expenses will be a huge number that Xinghai cannot afford at this stage.
Jin Qiaoying sighed. There was very little she could do in this situation. The sanctions came from the top of the Baiyue Alliance, and she had no way to deal with it.
The two looked at each other speechlessly.
At this moment, Fan Ren's phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence in the office.
He took out his phone and saw the caller ID showed Kyoto's IP. Fan Ren pressed the answer button with doubt.
"Hello, are you Mr. Fanren from Xinghai Technology?"
"Hello, I am, who are you?"
"I'm from the Kyoto Optical Precision Instruments and Machinery Research Institute. I'm calling to ask if you're available in the near future. Our engineers have some questions in the field of high-voltage radio that they would like to ask you."
Fan Ren thought for a moment, and without hesitation said that he had time. Then he agreed on a time with the staff on the other end of the phone and hung up.
"Optical Precision Instruments and Machinery Research Institute? The one that makes lithography machines?"
Jin Qiaoying looked over in confusion, and Fan Ren nodded. He did have some guesses, but he was not sure before he met the other party's engineer.
After thinking for a while, he said, "You contact Guoxin first. No matter what, we can only wait for their lithography machine. Also, check if there is a problem within the company. It is impossible for Baiyue to put us on the ban list just because of a 14-nanometer lithography machine."
Jin Qiaoying nodded. She also suspected that the information had leaked from within the company. This was all that could be done for now.
Kyoto, Optical Instrument Research Institute, Office of the Director.
"Xiao Ke, the other party agreed, but I still advise you not to have too high expectations. After all, every beam line in the lithography machine has been precisely planned after a lot of testing. The idea you proposed is of course good, but the emergence of new technology does not mean that it must be applicable to our equipment. Do you understand?"
Yan Wentai adjusted his reading glasses. He was helpless with this proud student in front of him. His ideas were too wild, and he often had to stop them.
Ke Fengyun, whom he called Xiao Ke, nodded with a simple smile, and then said seriously: "Master, I have calculated that once high-voltage radio can be truly applied to our lithography machine, the weight of the machine can be reduced by 12% just by reducing the configuration. And because the space margin is increased, more space can be left for other precision components, so that the accuracy of the lithography effect can be further increased."
"Okay, okay, what you said does make sense, but I still say that if the problem of applicability cannot be solved, don't hold out too much hope."
Yan Wentai interrupted his apprentice's chatter. He had heard those words so many times in the past few days that his ears were callused.
Who doesn’t want to use good technology as soon as possible?
However, in the field of lithography machines, the integration of new technologies cannot be achieved overnight. High-voltage line radio technology certainly has its advantages, but at the same time, the problem of magnetic field compatibility cannot be solved, which can easily have a negative impact on the accuracy of the lithography machine.
Therefore, he was not very optimistic about his apprentice's idea.
Hearing this, Ke Fengyun's face also revealed a little regret, but then he became excited again.
No matter what, at least you have to try it to know.
"Then Master, I'll go buy the plane ticket." Ke Fengyun said and walked out.
“It’s great to be young.”
Seeing his apprentice recovering to his fighting spirit in an instant, Yan Wentai couldn't help but smile with relief.
Three days later, Xinghai reception room.
Ke Fengyun had just got off the plane and didn’t even go to the hotel. He took a car directly to Xinghai.
Fan Ren was also informed by the staff here that the other party was so urgent, and he immediately rushed over from the laboratory.
"Mr. Fan, I'm very sorry to disturb you at work. Is it convenient for you now? Or should I wait until the agreed time to visit you?"
Looking at Fan Ren in front of him wearing a white research coat, Ke Fengyun knew that he was a bit reckless and disturbed his normal work.
Fan Ren stared at him for a while. He was a young man of about 28 years old, wearing a pair of high-power myopic glasses. When he spoke, he was similar to the technical geeks in their laboratory, with a little shyness.
He himself was not particularly busy. He wore the white coat only because he was reminded by the other party and had an advanced idea about high-voltage radio. He was alone in the laboratory studying the new equipment.
He immediately shook his head, smiled and led the other person to sit down.
"It's okay, but you've come all this way, don't you want to rest?"
Upon hearing this, Ke Fengyun's face showed an obviously excited expression. He quickly shook his head and turned around to take out his laptop from his bag.
"Mr. Fan, I don't need to rest. I came here this time because your high-voltage radio technology inspired me."
As the computer turned on, Ke Fengyun skillfully opened files one by one, and Fan Ren followed his instructions and immersed himself in the work.
"Mr. Fan, this is a schematic diagram of the general beam structure of our lithography machine. I conceived this document, and it contains some parts that can be replaced by high-voltage radio."
When Ke Fengyun talked about these professional knowledge, the shyness on his face suddenly disappeared without a trace, and was replaced by a capable look. For a moment, even his speaking speed was much fluenter than usual.
It was obvious that he had a detailed understanding of high-voltage radio technology. After his introduction, Fan Ren had no objection to the improvements proposed by Ke Fengyun.
However, Ke Fengyun still thought that Fan Ren’s high-voltage radio technology was too simple.
"Wait a minute, Ke Fengyun, right?"
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to introduce myself."
Ke Fengyun, who was interrupted, scratched his head in embarrassment. From the time he met Mr. Fan in front of him until now, he had not even introduced himself.
Fan Ren shook his head and said with a smile, "Your staff has sent me your information before, so don't mind it. I asked you to stop because I want to tell you that your understanding of high-voltage radio has undoubtedly reached and even partially exceeded the level of ordinary technicians in our company."
Having said this, Fan Ren paused, looked at Ke Fengyun in front of him and fell into a brief thought.
"Dr. Ke, this is what happened. Our company recently developed a revolutionary material that has a certain positive significance for high voltage unlimited. But before that, I need you to sign a confidentiality agreement with our company."
(End of this chapter)
