The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 229 The Next Semiconductor Industry Product
Like the Radar Research Institute, there are many places with very simple experimental instruments. Only with enough M knives and infant pounds can they be equipped with better equipment, greatly accelerating the development of Xia Country's scientific field.

Thinking of this, Li Mu opened the chat page again and looked for the next product that could generate a large amount of foreign exchange in the WIFI list.

The first thing to consider is definitely home appliances.

Electric water heater?

No, it’s a 30-year-old product. Even if he comes up with a better and higher-quality electric water heater, it probably won’t create much economic value.

Range hood?
No, it hasn’t worked since 55.

……

Li Mu looked for a long time and found that most home appliances were invented quite early.

Even if he has information to copy and the product is of good quality, it is not a good choice to grab a piece of a pie that is equally divided.

After thinking for a while, his eyes suddenly moved: "No, I don't have to focus on home appliances, I can also work on personal computers!"

He first turned to the details of the first personal computer.

Produced in 81, it has a 16-bit, 4.77MHz Intel 8088 microprocessor, only 16K of memory, no storage hard disk, and can only use cassette tapes to download and store data.

The operating system used was Microsoft's Disk Operating System (DOS), the spreadsheet software Visicale, and the text input software Easywriter.

The level of 16-bit processor is indeed quite difficult, but it is not impossible to break through.

Li Mu stroked his chin and began to think about ways to break through the 16-bit microprocessor.

After a while, he suddenly slapped his head and said, "You're thinking too far ahead. Making money is more important!"

We have just made the breakthrough of 8-bit microprocessor, and the design of Type 02 computer is still being re-optimized and upgraded. It is unrealistic to develop a personal computer in a short period of time, as it is easy to fail.

Making money is urgent, so it is better to try to choose technologies that can bring huge returns in the short term.

After thinking for a long time and unconsciously scrolling through the chat pages, Li Mu's eyes suddenly stopped on a name -

Nika official flagship store database.

Getting a camera seems to be a good choice.

……

After staying up for half the night, Li Mu got up a little late.

After washing up and exercising, he went to the Semiconductor Research Institute.

After greeting the security guard and walking in, several figures downstairs in the laboratory building immediately caught his attention.

He walked forward with a smile and said, "Director Peng, you are here too quickly."

"Not fast, not fast." Peng Shilu waved his hand and said, "I think it's too slow."

After the meeting ended yesterday, he immediately rushed to the Chinese Academy of Sciences to apply.

When Guo Mo heard that it was Li Mu's idea, he approved the research without saying a word.

This attitude once again made Peng Shilu realize how terrifying Li Mu's influence was. The research on Doppler radar was a national-level military research project. In the past, if one wanted to change the research plan, it would be impossible without a few days of meetings.

"Okay, then you continue chatting with Director Wu, I'll be over in a moment." Li Mu said with a smile.

Peng Shilu and others have just arrived. Not to mention the comfortable environment, it will take some time to transport the research instruments and equipment over.

In addition, the experimental researchers also need to be deployed. After the success of the computer simulation platform and material design software, the experts and professors from all over the country who provided support have not left yet, but it is impossible for them to stay forever.

He did want to, but he estimated that universities and research institutions around the world would not agree.

……

I first went to the induction cooker development team to check on the progress. The metal conductive lining made using the new process has been produced and is being tested.

Of course, success at one go is impossible, and it will take at least some time for experimental adjustments.

Afterwards, he continued to visit each software design group in turn. After a round, he did not find any major problems. He then went to Huang Xinhua to take a look and asked about the research status of integrated circuits.

In the laboratory, Huang Xinhua picked up a piece of data, handed it to Li Mu, and said:

"At present, the integration level of distributed projection lithography machines has reached its limit. If we want to continue to improve it, there is no basis for it in the short term."

"My idea is to develop the Type 02 computer first, with a 5w integration level and a computing speed of at least million times."

"This can greatly improve the efficiency of many scientific research projects in our country."

When the technical level cannot be improved temporarily, turning to applied research is indeed the right choice.

"But manpower is another problem." Li Mu couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

The development of the Type 02 computer had been going smoothly, but due to one important research project after another, it had been put on hold several times.

After all, there was still room for improvement in the level of integration at the time. If it had to be developed, the increased computing speed would not be too high, at most reaching five or six million per second.

There is improvement, but compared with the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is inevitably not worth it.

Huang Xinhua looked at the worried Li Mu and said, "Don't worry. With the previous foundation, it won't be a big problem to do the research. It won't take many people."

"Don't worry, I'll go talk to the director and organize a training class and recruit some people." Li Mu said as he looked at the three newly built laboratory buildings outside and the two that were still under construction.

Now that we have the place, it’s not too much to hire some people.

While thinking, Li Mu walked towards Wu Youxiang's office.

……

At this time in the office, Wu Youxiang had already returned from touring the laboratory with Peng Shilu.

They were envious of the sophisticated instruments and equipment.

Peng Shilu said with emotion: "Director Wu, your Semiconductor Research Institute is really amazing. You can even get things from Sande and M Emperor Big Infant!"

"Haha, it's not us who are so good, it's Li Mu who is so good." Wu Youxiang laughed.

Before the curious people from the Radar Research Institute could ask further questions, there was a knock on the door.

"Please come in." Wu Youxiang said.

Li Mu pushed the door open and said with a smile, "Why do I seem to hear my name outside?"

"Speak of the devil and he will appear!" Wu Youxiang stood up quickly and pulled Li Mu to the sofa under the table. While making tea for him, he said to Peng Shilu and others:

"Since our two institutes have started joint research, it's okay to tell you some things."

"In fact, it's not just the computer simulation platform. Li Mu has made outstanding contributions to the development of supercomputers, which have greatly accelerated many of our country's top-secret research."

"He is the one in our domestic semiconductor and computer fields right now." At the end, he gave a thumbs up.

Peng Shilu and others were all shocked when they heard this.

They originally thought they had a good enough understanding of Li Mu's abilities, but they didn't expect that they still underestimated him greatly in the end.

Among Li Mu's many achievements and titles, the "disciple of Master Qian Wu" that they originally valued is actually the most insignificant one.

"Director, you are too kind. I am just trying my best to help you." Li Mu smiled helplessly, and then continued: "Let's discuss the research."

"If we want to add three more subsystems, our current manpower may not be enough."

"I'm planning to hold a short training course. What do you think?"

"No problem, I fully support it." Wu Youxiang said immediately.

With the completion of the three experimental buildings, finding people was the natural thing to do.

What's more, this was Li Mu's request, so even if there were difficulties, they would overcome them.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Then I'll leave this matter to you. It's time for you to take a rest."

"Okay, then leave it to me." Li Mu nodded slightly without refusing.

But this conversation made Peng Shilu and Jiang Nanying look at each other with a slightly strange look on their faces.

When Li Mu was assisting in research at the Radar Research Institute, he stayed there very little time each day. They thought that the research at the Semiconductor Research Institute was busier.

Now it seems that something is wrong. Something is very wrong.

As a researcher, shouldn't you always be on the front line?
With this doubt in mind, they asked Wu Youxiang only after Li Mu left.

The latter laughed after hearing this and said, "You don't know this. Supervising him to have a good rest was an order personally issued by the superior leader!"

"Oh, what's going on?" Peng Shilu and others became even more curious after hearing this.

Wu Youxiang chuckled, thought for a while, eliminated the information related to the experiment, and then told the story of how Li Mu had fainted several times because of the experiments, and was ordered to rest, and the longest time he was not allowed to enter the laboratory for more than half a month.

When everyone heard that Li Mu was competing with them in a battle of wits and courage for the sake of study and research, they couldn't help but burst out laughing. They didn't expect that consultant Li Mu, who was calm and serious in his research, had such a side to him.

……

Here, Li Mu had just walked out of the door when he met Guan Jianmin who had hurried over.

Seeing him, the latter immediately said, "The higher-ups are planning to hold a supplementary meeting on the five-year plan for the development of the semiconductor industry in two days, and they have specifically asked you to attend the meeting."

"Supplementary meeting?" Li Mu was slightly stunned after hearing this.

Guan Jianmin said:

"Yes, but don't think too much about it. It's not because there is a problem with your previous references. It's just that the higher-ups want to continue to increase their efforts to develop the semiconductor industry."

"But in this regard, no one in the country knows more about it than you."

"So I need you to listen and give some suggestions so that the plan can be more scientific and reasonable."

After listening to him, Li Mu nodded slightly and said, "Okay, then you can pick me up then."

It would indeed be a good thing if the higher authorities were willing to increase efforts to develop the semiconductor industry.

For example, the problem of talent shortage can be solved soon.

……

Afterwards, Li Mu went to find Wang Shoujue again.

At this time, he was in the software group, busy with software design with Huang Kun, Wu Xi and others.

Because the research scope of the Semiconductor Research Institute became increasingly broad, he, as the deputy director, was "forced" to become all-round, and his software design level was no less than that of a professor of computer technology.

With his strong learning ability, he became the only person who could solve the problems encountered by various research groups when Li Mu was away.

Seeing Li Mu coming to find him, Wang Shoujue immediately put down his work and walked up to him and said, "I thought you had gone home, why are you here again? Is there something important?"

"No, I want to discuss something with you." Li Mu smiled as he walked out of the laboratory with him.

Wang Shoujue asked curiously, "What is so mysterious?"

Hearing this, Li Mu paused for a moment and said, "Actually, it is the next semiconductor industrial product I plan to develop - a semiconductor camera."

"Semiconductor camera?" Wang Shoujue became interested as soon as he heard it.

The mainstream cameras in China in the 60s were still black and white cameras, and the imaging principle mainly relied on the principle that silver compounds turn black after being exposed.

Semiconductor cameras were unheard of.

Li Mu explained:
"My idea is to develop a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, which consists of a pixel array, row driver, column driver, timing control logic, AD converter, and so on."

"Its working principle is mainly based on the photoelectric effect, that is, when light shines on a semiconductor material, photons are absorbed by the semiconductor material and excite electrons, thereby generating electrical signals."

"But the camera market is probably not that big." Wang Shoujue hesitated after hearing this.

In his impression, most people would only use a camera a few times in their lifetime, so even if he could make a better and cheaper camera, he might not be able to sell many.

Li Mu smiled and said slowly:
"It is true in China, but not necessarily abroad. This is mainly linked to the level of economic development. I have done a thorough investigation and found that there is a very broad market for cameras abroad."

"Last year, the 'Canonet' developed by the small-time Canon company was sold out as soon as it was released. So far, more than 18800 units have been sold. The price is 52 island dollars, which is about dollars when converted into M dollars. The sales volume can reach to million M dollars."

"It doesn't sound like much, but you have to know that this is just the profit generated by their own market. Our market is much larger, the audience is wider, and the profit will be higher."

"Not to mention that semiconductor cameras have a huge lead in imaging quality. As long as they are made, they will be sold without any problems."

Although there are several giant companies in the current camera market, they cannot compare with Xia Country in terms of technology.

As long as they can develop semiconductor cameras, it will not be difficult for them to occupy a place in the market and even become the leader in the world's photographic equipment industry.

The example of daily life may not be intuitive enough. After all, the place is too small, and it is difficult to see the scale of the current photographic equipment market.

But Li Mu knew that within the next year, Kodak would launch the Instamatic point-and-shoot camera, priced at US$25M.

In its second year on the market, Instamatic sales reached 750 million units, with sales reaching $1 million.

Such a big piece of cake makes people excited just by looking at it.

Even though semiconductor cameras will certainly not be able to beat the old giant Kodak in the early stages, if they are given some time, the quality of semiconductor cameras will be enough to knock this "backward" giant into the dust.

If done well, photographic equipment has the potential to become one of the powerful profit pillars of Xiaguo's semiconductor industry!

(End of this chapter)