From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 69 Ownership of the Results? Zhu Bingkun: I'll give you a share!

In the workspace, Zhang Minghao stared at the data on the screen, deep in thought.

The lab project is already very well done.

They produced high-quality multilayer tinene and were able to determine its properties directly.

The direct determination of 'topological edge states' is the most advanced theoretical verification result. Going further, the determination of a clear Ising superconducting signal means that the research has reached its limit.

Further up the chain is the manufacture of stable single-atom tinene films, which are actually tinene.

This is very difficult, and most likely it will never be possible.

As Deng Kai said, bismuth telluride is not necessarily the most suitable substrate material.

Even if a very small amount of single-atom tinene thin film is prepared by chance, it cannot be directly detected.

Therefore, the breakthrough point still lies in stability.

How can stable multilayer tinene be manufactured?

"Or, how do we design experiments to control the autonomous and stable growth of stanene on the substrate surface?"

Zhang Minghao's research focuses on how to use bismuth telluride substrates to fabricate stable multilayer tinene films.

The latest experimental data was crucial. He carefully analyzed the data and spent an entire day figuring out the connections that were relevant to the research.

The next step is to summarize the calculations, derivations, and analyses, put all the data together, and then try to create a large model framework for the relationship between the tinene thin layer and the substrate.

The correlation model framework is crucial. To produce stable multilayer tinene films, we must first ensure that all the films produced are tinene films without any accumulated experimental waste before addressing the stability issue.

Having experience in semiconductor model design, the overall framework design direction was not a problem. In addition, the requirements for the framework were not high, so the process was very smooth.

The next step is to pursue stability.

Within the framework of the correlation model, how can we connect the surface characteristics of bismuth telluride with the experimental process to enable stable growth of stanene during the preparation process?
……

The laboratory was bustling with activity, but Zhang Minghao was not particularly noticeable among the crowd.

That morning was different.

Many people were excitedly discussing in the hallway because the experiment had made a breakthrough. In a set of tinene samples they produced, a tinene thin layer of extremely high quality appeared.

Extremely high quality, meaning higher than the previously manufactured thin film, may allow for the direct detection of certain properties.

Chen Shuai slowly descended the second floor and headed towards the testing room.

As he passed by the doctoral students' workspace, he turned around and saw Zhang Minghao, immediately stopping and calling out, "Aren't you going to take a look?"

"A stable Ising superconducting signal was detected in the new sample!"

"Huh? Oh."

Zhang Minghao raised his head slightly, gave a nod in agreement, and then lowered his head again to continue thinking.

Chen Shuai walked over curiously. "You don't seem very happy?"

Zhang Minghao looked up, smiled, and asked in return, "Aren't you less excited than last time?"

"Right."

Chen Shuai thought about it and realized that was indeed the case.

Zhang Minghao said, "We have already measured the topological edge states and conducted large-scale experiments. One group was able to detect the Ising superconducting signal, which is normal."

"Anyway, it's still an achievement; one more is better than none."

As Chen Shuai spoke, he glanced at the computer screen and asked, "What are you doing with this analysis?"

"I want to study how to prepare stable tinene thin films, ideally so that tin can grow stably at every location on the substrate."

"This one……"

Chen Shuai grinned as he listened, commenting, "That's too impractical. Stable manufacturing of materials is a technology that's only studied when it reaches the application stage..."

"I'm just trying to look into it."

Zhang Minghao replied.

Chen Shuai was at a loss for words. He felt that researching the stable growth of stanene was simply impossible.

This research is not in line with reality.

For example, graphene has been manufactured for many years, but it has not been widely used until now. A major challenge is the lack of stable production technology.

Maintaining the quality and performance of graphene while mass-producing it remains a technical challenge that needs to be addressed.

If it is only manufactured in the laboratory, the cost is too high, and it has no potential for large-scale application.

Tinene is more difficult to manufacture than graphene.

Stable growth?

……

In the afternoon, Xue Kun arrived.

Everyone in the lab was talking about a new breakthrough in the research, but then they noticed that Zhang Minghao, who had made the biggest contribution to the research, was not there.

He heard Chen Shuai mention Zhang Minghao, so he came over to take a look.

As soon as he entered, Xue Kun saw Zhang Minghao staring at the screen with a look of surprise on his face. He walked over with curiosity and found that it was a collection of intervals and a lot of symbols.

He frowned and stared at it for a long time before suddenly asking, "Are you doing research on stabilizing the growth of stanene?"

"How's it going?" Zhang Minghao nodded and said, "Almost done, just finishing the final touches."

After he finished speaking, he suddenly leaned over and whispered to Xue Kun, "Professor Xue, if I develop a technology that can stably grow tinene, the multilayer tinene produced by this technology will have certain application potential."

"How is ownership determined for subsequent patent applications or technology transfers?"

If it were anyone else, he definitely wouldn't have asked.

Xue Kun is different.

Xue Kun has always been good to his predecessor and himself, and he is an upright and frank person, so he can be said to be the person he trusts the most.

"Uh……"

Xue Kun was a little confused by the question.

A technology that enables stable growth of stanene and has application potential?
It's like hearing someone ask him how to claim a lottery prize if he wins 100 million.

Let's win the prize first!

Xue Kun's eyes turned somewhat strange. He thought about it for a moment and analyzed it carefully. "If it is my research, since metamaterials is a project funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, according to the contract, more than 80% of the credit belongs to the school and the laboratory."

"The remaining twenty points need to be distributed among other researchers. I personally might get five points?"

He shook his head uncertainly and continued, "It's hard to say for you."

“You are a doctoral student and have not signed a work agreement with the university. You are also working on projects, but in reality, your name is not on the project list.”

"However, the research results you complete based on the laboratory's projects certainly cannot belong to you personally."

"If the value of the research results is too high, then a lawsuit might be necessary to decide?"

He laughed as he spoke, then said, "In this situation, it's best not to release the research. First, sign an agreement with the school and the laboratory."

Zhang Minghao nodded thoughtfully, "My calculations have a range, and the results and specific application value are uncertain. I also want the lab to help with the verification."

"How should an agreement be negotiated in this situation?"

"Are you serious?"

"of course."

Xue Kun's expression was somewhat strange. He felt that Zhang Minghao wouldn't make such a joke, but deep down he also felt it was impossible.

Stannine, stable growth?
Xue Kun took a deep breath and said, "I'll take you to Director Zhu; he can make the decision."

……

Xue Kun believed Zhang Minghao.

Even though he felt it was impossible, he still chose to trust and support him, without saying a word of denial.

Zhu Bingkun is different.

Zhu Bingkun believed Zhang Minghao wasn't joking, but he didn't believe in his research.

The stable growth of tinene thin films involves large-scale manufacturing technology, which cannot be studied in a laboratory.

By looking at the data, writing a few notes, and doing some calculations, you can figure out how to make tin atoms grow stably on the substrate and form a single-atom thin-layer structure.

"In this situation, you need to sign an agreement with the laboratory in advance."

"I went to the administration office, and they can represent the school and talk to them together, so there were no further disputes."

Zhu Bingkun finished speaking casually, then pondered for a moment before continuing, "It's useful to negotiate such an agreement; it can be used as a reference in similar situations in the future."

He thought the idea was great and immediately called over Wang Guiyuan, the administrative director.

Wang Guiyuan found this very interesting, and he gave a professional explanation: "The research done by doctoral students involves projects, experiments, and subsequent verification, right?"

"This also involves the use of funds, and as for the ownership of the results, it is generally allocated according to the research contribution."

"Tell me what specific situation you are researching."

Zhang Minghao explained the research and experimental verification requirements.

Experimental verification requires a completely new set of experiments, including substrate fabrication, monitoring the growth of stanene and making adjustments as needed, as well as subsequent testing, and so on.

After he finished speaking, the group discussed it together, asked for the opinions of other relevant personnel, and then finalized the agreement.

Zhang Minghao is a key researcher. Although he is only a doctoral student, his research relies on the laboratory and projects, and he personally accounts for 60% of the results.

Schools and laboratories together account for 30%.

The remaining portion was allocated among those who volunteered to participate in the experimental verification.

The experimental verification process is very difficult because it requires the fabrication of new substrates, and possibly more than one, as well as constant monitoring of the growth of stanene, which takes a lot of time and effort.

Xue Kun and Zhu Bingkun volunteered to participate, and Fang Huimin was another one; she was a testing staff member and was also required to participate.

Xue Kun, Zhu Bingkun, and Fang Huimin all signed the agreement.

Chen Shuai stood silently to the side, muttering like a wronged woman, "Why are you always excluding me?"

"What can you do?" Zhu Bingkun asked bluntly.

Chen Shuai was speechless. After all, he wasn't a lab technician.
"Old Chen, don't be sad!"

Zhu Bingkun patted him on the shoulder and said with a generous smile, "Here's what you'll do: sign the agreement!"

"I'll give you one percentage point of my share, so you can feel a sense of participation too!"

(End of this chapter)