Tech startup: I really do make mobile phones!

Chapter 250 Visiting Professor - Chen Mo
In September, Qinghua Garden was bathed in clear autumn air, but the gymnasium was bustling with activity.

The annual autumn job fair is being held here, with graduates full of dreams crowding around the booths of various companies.

However, this year's most popular spot is undoubtedly the "Orange Series" recruitment area, which is making its debut as a "group army".

Two doctoral students wearing T-shirts from the Department of Electrical Engineering were carefully studying the technical information on the posters at the Orange Micro Motor booth.

"See that! 'A nanoscale motion positioning system for the next-generation ASMI lithography machine stage,' that description is so incredibly hardcore!" Li Yang whispered to his companion Wang Bo.

"Yes, and this too! 'An assisted all-attitude stabilization algorithm based on the self-developed MYT-3.0 gyroscope,' which is highly relevant to what our lab is working on!"

Wang Bo pointed to another line of text, his eyes shining.

At that moment, a capable-looking technical manager wearing an orange science and technology badge walked over and greeted them, "Are you two interested in our research area?"

Li Yang nodded somewhat embarrassedly: "Yes, teacher! We mainly study precision motion control, but it feels like the projects at school are more theoretical. From your description, it seems like we've already entered the engineering verification stage?"

The technical manager smiled and handed over two business cards: "My name is Zhang Tao, from the Precision Control Department of Orange Technology."

No need to call me teacher, you can call me senior brother, I also graduated from Tsinghua University.

You're right. This project isn't a preliminary study; it's a real bidding process for Asmark's supplier position.

We have our own cutting-edge research department working on the theory, while the core task of our application department is to turn theory into stable, reliable, and mass-producible products.

This requires engineers like you, who possess both theoretical depth and a willingness to immerse themselves in the laboratory, relentlessly battling the 'demons' of vibration, noise, and temperature drift!

Wang Bo couldn't help but ask, "Senior Zhang, what do recent PhD graduates like us mainly do? Is it just menial work?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tao laughed heartily: "Odd jobs? I guarantee you, as long as you're capable enough, you'll be directly assigned to the core project team!"
Our Orange Family, including the entire Orange Group, is characterized by its project-oriented approach and flat management structure.

Your advisors may be recent PhD graduates, and your team members may come from all over the country, but as long as your solution can solve the problem, resources and decision-making power will be tilted towards you.

We are not afraid of young people having wild ideas; we are afraid that you don't dare to think or act.

The salary and benefits poster stated that the basic salary was just a guarantee, while project bonuses and incentives for commercializing research results were the main benefits.

Last quarter, one of our engineers, who had been working for a year, received a project bonus that exceeded his entire year's salary.

Li Yang and Wang Bo exchanged a glance, both seeing the attraction in each other's eyes.

This direct link between technological challenges, growth opportunities, and rewards is incredibly attractive to students at top universities.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University – Yuancheng New Energy Recruitment Booth.

Far Orange's booth was designed like a future energy station, with a huge honeycomb power battery pack cross-sectional model and dynamic display screen attracting many people to stop and watch.

"Student, are you interested in our Far Orange's 'Sea of ​​Stars' plan?"

A female HR representative warmly asked a female student majoring in materials science who was looking at a job posting.

The girl adjusted her glasses and asked earnestly.

"Hello, I saw that Far Orange is recruiting R&D engineers for 'gaseous electrolyte interfaces'! I would like to know, between basic research and application development, does the company focus more on either?"

At this moment, a middle-aged man with a calm demeanor, wearing a lab coat, walked over. The HR introduced him as "Deputy Director Xu of our Far Orange Lab."

Deputy Director Xu took over the conversation, his tone calm yet powerful.

"That's a great question!"
At Far Orange, we don't talk about empty words.

Basic research is necessary, but its purpose is extremely clear: to serve the next generation of products.

Unlike universities, we do not pursue pure academic innovation and the quantity of papers.

We pursue a productization path that is technically feasible, cost-controllable, and performance-leading.

For example, regarding the gaseous electrolyte interface you mentioned, our goal is not to publish an article in Neture.

Instead, the goal is to increase the energy density of batteries based on this technology by 50% and double their cycle life within three years, while also finding a low-cost solution for mass production.

He paused, looked at the girl, and said, "If what you aspire to is to leave your name in top journals, Far Orange may not be the best choice."

But if your dream is to create products that change the world's energy landscape and see new energy vehicles running all over the streets using batteries that you helped develop, then you are welcome to join Far Orange.

Here, your value lies not in how many papers you've published, but in how many key problems you've solved and how far you've advanced gaseous lithium technology.

After hearing this, the girl's eyes hardened.

"I understand! I'd much rather see my research turn into a tangible product! Please give me an application form."

Northwestern Polytechnical University – Professor Li's Office.

"Old Li, are you really sure? You're a promising candidate for the Changjiang Scholars Program at our university, and you're leading a good team. Why do you insist on going to that private company, Orange Technology?" Old Zhou, his colleague, looked puzzled.

Professor Li was organizing a thick stack of experimental data, and without looking up, he asked, "Old Zhou, let me ask you, that high-temperature protective coating project of ours, it's been three years since it ended, right? How were the results?"

"That's great! One paper in 'Advencad Materials,' two SCI papers in Q1 journals, and a patent application has been filed!"

"And then?" Professor Li stopped what he was doing and looked at Old Zhou. "Besides lying in the database, where else is it? Has any motor factory used it?"

Old Zhou was speechless for a moment.

Professor Li sighed: "Chengke came to me, not to ask me to publish articles."

They do have a small to medium-sized motor with extremely high speed and rotor temperature approaching 1200 degrees Celsius, which existing thermal barrier coatings cannot withstand.

They gave me clear targets: improve temperature resistance by 300℃ and double the adhesion, while keeping costs within reasonable limits.

Research and development budget?

They simply said, "Submit a report if you need how much."

Professor Li patted the data in his hand: "These are the ideas I've accumulated over the past few years. I didn't have the conditions to verify them at the university, nor the motivation to push them to their limits."

But at OrangeTech, I can see it being used in real products, solving the country's 'bottleneck' problem in the field of high-speed motors.

This sense of accomplishment is more exciting to me than having a few more papers.

As for Scholar Changjiang, let it be!

Beijing – Ministry of Education Changjiang Scholar/Changjiang Young Scholar Candidate Review Committee.

The conference room was filled with smoke.

Several academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, along with senior experts, are reviewing the materials.

"Tsk, with the level of Chen Mo's undergraduate and master's theses recommended by Shenzhen University, it's a miracle he can even graduate!"

An elderly expert with gray hair frowned and handed the materials to the person next to him.

"Yes, their theoretical foundation seems very weak! Shenzhen University..."

Another expert shook his head, leaving his sentence unfinished, but the meaning was clear.

Suddenly, the chief expert sitting in the main seat, Academician Hao of the Academy of Sciences' Department of Technology, pushed up his glasses, leaned forward slightly, and pointed to the "Major Achievements" column.

"Wait. Look here."

All eyes were on them.

“The main founder and core patent holder of gaseous lithium battery system.”

"We have led the research and development of superfluid nanotechnology (QSF-9) cooling technology, achieving a disruptive breakthrough in the field of thermal management."

Materials genius!!!

The conference room fell silent instantly.

Academician Hao spoke slowly, his voice tinged with emotion: "Gentlemen, we may have fallen into a fixed mindset."

When evaluating a scientific and technological worker, published papers are one of the yardsticks, but by no means the only one, much less the highest standard.

Chen Mo's "paper" has been written into the battery packs of new energy vehicles, into the heat dissipation systems of high-end mobile phones, and into the technological breakthroughs that the country urgently needs.

This 'paper' is probably heavier than most of the candidates' papers combined.

The fact that Shenzhen University dared to report him speaks volumes.

I believe we should not be bound by traditional academic frameworks, and that exceptional talents who pioneer entirely new technological directions deserve special treatment.

Everyone fell silent, then nodded in agreement.

It passed unanimously!

Chen Mo has obtained the "evaluation qualification" for the Changjiang Young Scholar candidate and will serve as a visiting professor at a domestic university, teaching at least 2 hours per month for a total of 3 years.

Being elected as an academician in China is not easy. It follows the normal postgraduate process: Master's degree, Visiting Professor, Changjiang Young Scholar, Research Project Leader, Doctoral degree, Research Project Leader, Changjiang Scholar, Research Project Leader, Academician.

A threshold is set every 3 to 5 years.
Theoretically, there are no thresholds, but it would take at least 15 years to complete the process, which means being 35 to 38 years old, which is considered young among academicians!

The restaurant on the second floor of the west gate of Shenzhen University.

Chen Mo looked at the employment contract that Dean Lin pushed towards him, and rubbed his temples with a wry smile. "Professor Lin, you've really put a tight rein on me!"
Do I look like someone who can come to teach students on time?
There's so much going on at the company, and with the market in Ross just opening up, orders for Orange 3 have exploded! I wish there were 48 hours in a day!

Dean Lin slowly took a sip of tea.

"Xiao Mo, I know you're busy."

But you must understand that this "Changjiang Young Scholar" title, especially the one you achieved in this way, is of extraordinary significance.

The goal is to establish a role model for young people who are "deeply rooted in industry and create value through technology," rather than a scholar who only talks the talk.

We're asking you to teach, not to become a professor in the traditional sense, but to pass on these cutting-edge, market-tested R&D experiences, innovative thinking, and industry perspectives to the next generation.

This is a legitimate mission!

Teacher Lin put down his teacup and spoke earnestly.

"Two classes a month are not a burden, but a platform and a seed to be planted."

Tell your students about the entire process from having an idea in the lab, to defining the product, tackling technical challenges, managing the supply chain, and finally, applying it to the market.

This is likely to have a greater impact on the cultivation of national scientific and technological talent than publishing ten more papers.

Your battlefield is on the front lines of industry, but your experience and spirit need to be passed on.

Chen Mo fell silent. What was wrong with him?
These are all technological breakthroughs that the system provides, which are the most expensive. What's there to talk about?
However, Chen Mo understood Teacher Lin's deeper meaning and the expectations behind it.

This is no longer a simple teaching task, but a responsibility.

"Okay, Teacher Lin, I understand!"

Chen Mo picked up a pen, signed his name on the contract, and officially became a visiting professor of elective courses at Shenzhen University.

"I'll start a course called 'From Lab to Market: Commercialization Practice of Gaseous Lithium Technology'."

However, I can't guarantee I can speak for a full 90 minutes every time, but I can guarantee that every word I say is based on solid, hard-earned knowledge!

Dean Lin smiled with satisfaction.

"now it's right.

Remember, Xiao Mo, the country needs more than just your technology; it also needs your proven and successful innovation path.

Summarizing and disseminating this knowledge has far greater political significance than simply focusing on developing a research and commercialization industry!

Chen Mo looked out the window at the vibrant young faces of the new students on campus, and the sense of mission he felt as a young science and technology leader, as expected by the higher authorities, became clearer and heavier.

He is not only an entrepreneur, but also someone who has been pushed by the times to a position where he needs to lead and pass on his legacy.

No matter what Chen Mo thinks, he has to keep going down this path.

When the Shenzhen University academic affairs system opened the new round of elective course selection channels on time at midnight, a war without gunpowder quietly broke out in countless student dormitories.

The focus of this battle was the newly launched course, titled "From Lab to Market: Commercialization Practice of Gaseous Lithium Technology," with the instructor clearly identified as Chen Mo (Special Guest Professor).

"It's here! The system's open! Quick, grab Chen Mo's class!"

In the boys' dormitory, a shirtless boy was yelling at his laptop screen while frantically typing on the F5 key.

"Holy crap! It's frozen! The screen is blank!"

"That's normal! I heard that the graduate students are all eager to try, let alone us undergraduates!"

The situation was equally intense in another girls' dormitory.

"Click, click, click! I see it! Course code ME2001C! Enter it quickly!"

"Ahhh! We got in! 30 spots left... 20... 5... Gone!!!"

A girl looked at the "Course is full" message that popped up on the screen, let out a wail, and slumped into her chair.

"Only a dozen seconds! Everyone's skills are amazing, what kind of insane hand speed is that!"

In less than 30 seconds, all the spots for this elective course, which had a limit of 120 people, were snapped up.

Campus forums and social media were instantly flooded with posts about it:
[The fastest ever! Chen Mo's class ended in thirty seconds!]

Looking for a course slot in ME2001C, paid! Price negotiable!

[Could any of the selected big shots create a group so those of us who weren't selected can listen in?]

[A sophomore from the School of Materials Science and Engineering got selected! Hahaha! I can finally get a close look at Orange Chen!]

Behind this "Chen Mo craze" sweeping the campus are the students' complex and diverse motivations.

For many students in management and economics schools, Chen Mo is a legend in himself.

He started from scratch and built a new technology empire in just three years. He can talk and laugh with international technology giants such as Apple and ASMI, and is known as the "third generation of business leaders" in China.

Chen Mo's class is not an ordinary academic course, but an excellent opportunity to observe and learn from the thinking and strategies of top entrepreneurs up close.

"I just want to see what kind of aura and demeanor someone who can build a company to this level has," a student from the School of Management admitted. "Listening to one of his lectures might be more useful than reading ten business case studies."

For many science and engineering students, especially those in electronics, materials science, and computer science, taking this course means a potential ticket to the "Orange Department".

Everyone knows that companies in the Orange Group have very high hiring standards and offer very generous compensation packages.

If you can perform well in this course and leave a deep impression on Chen Mo or his entourage, it will undoubtedly add a golden touch to your resume, and you may even get the opportunity to go straight to the final interview or be recommended internally.

"Even if it's just to become a familiar face during the Q&A session after class, it's worth it!"

A computer science student is excitedly making plans.

Another group of students are simply attracted by the core technologies themselves, such as "gas-state lithium batteries" and "nanofluids".

They long to hear the founders of these technologies recount their personal journeys from their inception to their creation, the key moments in overcoming challenges, and their potential future directions.

This has unparalleled guiding significance for their academic research and future technological direction selection.

Amidst the surging crowd of course selectors, Shi Yutong (Xiaoyu), a freshman in the School of Materials Science and Engineering, held her breath and completed the click with slightly trembling fingers.

When she saw the green notification that "course selection successful," she breathed a long sigh of relief, leaned back in her chair, and her palms were already a little sweaty from nervousness and excitement.

Her reasons for choosing this course were more complex and purposeful than many others.

On the one hand, it was out of intense curiosity.

She had used the Orange 3 phone and was amazed by its incredible cooling technology.

At the same time, Xiaoyu was also keeping track of the movements of the owner of Orange Technology, knowing that Orange Mobile was also his company.

She was filled with curiosity about the "boss" who could create these miracles.

What kind of person is Chen Mo?

Is he a tech genius with three heads and six arms, or a ruthless and shrewd business tycoon?
On the other hand, there is a more realistic and firm goal: Xiaoyu wants to join Orange Technology.

Since experiencing Xiao Wei's passing, she has clarified her future direction earlier than her peers.

The School of Materials Science and Engineering at Shenzhen University was her starting point, while Orange Technology is the other shore where she carries the dreams of her friends.

She knew that the competition on this path was extremely fierce, and she couldn't let go of any opportunity that might increase her chances of winning.

This course is Xiaoyu's first step toward her goal.

She wanted to see it for herself, to experience it firsthand, and to find a possible opportunity.

In the days following the course selection deadline, ME2001C became the hottest topic at Shenzhen University.

Students who get selected for the course are like winners of the lottery; they walk around campus with an air of superiority.

Those who weren't selected inquired everywhere about whether they could audit the class, and some even started researching the classroom's capacity and security measures, preparing to "forcefully audit" the class.

The Academic Affairs Office had to issue an emergency notice, clearly stating that because the course involves cutting-edge technology and business practice, in order to ensure teaching quality and classroom order, students who have not enrolled in the course are strictly prohibited from auditing, and that document verification for first-time attendees will be strengthened.

Hmm! Chen Mo comes to class with his own "security check" from the National Security Bureau.

This unprecedented surge of enthusiasm even exceeded Chen Mo's and the school's expectations.

On the first day of class, the 120-person lecture hall was packed to the brim, and the aisles and open spaces were filled with curious students. Later, Xiao Zheng and the National Security personnel cleared them out.

A restless energy, a mixture of anticipation, excitement, and curiosity, filled the air.

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of the tech upstart, "Orange Chen"!

Shi Yutong sat in the front seat, gripping her notebook tightly, her gaze fixed on the young man who had entered. Her eyes held disbelief, and her heart pounded faster than usual.

"Uncle!!!"

(End of this chapter)