From top student in college to scientific research powerhouse

Chapter 8 is really overhyped...

"You absolutely must pursue a PhD in mathematics!"

“I will make a special application with the school so that a physics master’s student can pursue a mathematics doctorate; the school has this policy.”

"We'll make an exception and you can enroll in March. It's such a waste that you're studying physics..."

Meng Guoqing spoke at length, his words were very sincere, and it was clear that he was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

Xue Kun's face darkened.

Poaching talent in public is utterly inhuman!

Zhu Bingkun and Chen Shuai stood aside, chuckling to themselves. A math professor was poaching a physics PhD student, and he'd even managed to poach Xue Kun.

That's really interesting!

Zhang Minghao's hand was being held tightly. He knew that Meng Guoqing was sincere, but Xue Kun had indeed been very good to him, and it was true that he couldn't go to the mathematics department.

He said awkwardly, "Professor Meng, thank you for your affirmation, but I still want to pursue my doctorate under Professor Xue Kun."

"You may not know this, but when I was at Donggang University, Professor Xue was my doctoral supervisor."

Meng Guoqing was somewhat confused. "You also pursued a doctorate at Donggang University?"

"More than a year."

Zhang Minghao said frankly, "Something went wrong, so I came here."

Meng Guoqing was still a little confused, but he didn't delve into it. He suddenly let go of her hand and laughed, "That's also possible, minor in mathematics!"

"The university supports dual doctoral programs, allowing students to study mathematics and physics together!"

"It is a bit difficult, but I think math is definitely not a problem for you. It would be a shame if you didn't get a PhD in math..."

Upon hearing this, Xue Kun breathed a long sigh of relief.

He minored in mathematics, which means he applied for a mathematics PhD during his doctoral studies. The requirements for applying for two PhDs are certainly very high, but it didn't affect him much.

At least they won't be poached...

That would be so frustrating.

Once the conversation was out in the open, Meng Guoqing didn't continue with the topic of poaching talent, and the atmosphere immediately improved.

Xue Kun couldn't wait to ask about the research questions.

Zhang Minghao gave a brief explanation of the research, but it was ultimately not as authoritative as Meng Guoqing's.

Meng Guoqing exclaimed in admiration, "Zhang Minghao is truly a genius!"

“He transformed and directly discretized the third-order Kawahara equations. In the analysis process, there is a key step: ‘approximate substitution transformation’.”

"He found a very special approximation transformation rule. After the approximation transformation, the main terms in the third-order Kawahara equation will begin to converge rapidly after expanding to a certain extent."

"While achieving rapid convergence, it also greatly simplifies the computational workload required for covering calculations. In other words, the transformed data can be directly calculated by a computer."

"The most crucial aspect is still approximate substitution and transformation."

Meng Guoqing continued my explanation, "This rule transforms complex terms into simple ones, and the verification results are extremely close."

"Other equations or systems of equations can also be used in many situations, and their application significance is very important!"

After finishing his sentence, Meng Guoqing immediately asked Zhang Minghao, "How did you come up with this method of substitution and transformation?"

How did you come up with this pattern?

He couldn't understand.

Such patterns require a large number of correct substitutions and transformations to be discovered, just like analyzing numerical patterns; you first need numbers to analyze patterns.

How did you come up with the so-called correct form of substitution and transformation?

Zhang Minghao was at a loss for words.

He can easily determine the correct form of substitution and transformation, and naturally he can list a whole bunch of patterns to analyze.

He managed a weak reply, "I just encountered it, then I tried to find a solution, and then I wondered if I could do it like this, by approximation..."

"That's it!"

Meng Guoqing slapped his thigh hard and exclaimed, "Many studies require inspiration, a flash of inspiration!"

"The difference between geniuses and ordinary people is often just a fleeting moment."

"I never even thought of it. My first instinct was that this wouldn't solve the problem, and I wouldn't continue researching it."

“Uh~~”

Zhang Minghao felt that the hype was exaggerated.

On the other side, Xue Kun, Zhu Bingkun, and Chen Shuai huddled together and whispered about the experimental issues.

Once Meng Guoqing confirmed that Zhang Minghao's research was sound, they could use the new method to recalculate the data from the preliminary experiments.

Changes in a few values ​​can have a significant impact on the results.

Xue Kun naturally agreed.

Zhu Bingkun also agreed to recalculate the data. The conclusions of the preliminary experiments must be guaranteed to be correct in order to ensure that the subsequent direction is correct.

Chen Shuai was slightly embarrassed. He was in charge of experimental calculation and analysis, but the calculation results had to be overturned and recalculated.

He could only agree.

What more can be said when a new method makes the calculations more accurate? If, when the experimental conclusions are found to be incorrect, it can't be blamed on him, can it?

He exclaimed, "Xue Kun, your student's math skills are truly impressive; he's capable of completing this kind of research."

Then, changing the subject, she jokingly said, "Why don't you let go and let him go to the math department?"

“Studying physics is fine too. I can let him pursue his PhD with me. I specialize in experimental testing and computational analysis, which should suit him well.”

Xue Kun, his face dark, waved his hand dismissively, "Don't even think about it!"

……

Zhu Bingkun, Xue Kun, and Chen Shuai decided to recalculate and analyze the preliminary experimental data.

The project team held a meeting.

All the project participants, including associate researchers and doctoral students, totaling more than 30 people, are required to participate in data calculation and analysis.

The applied electromagnetics laboratory is also bustling with activity.

Xue Kun had a relatively relaxed job. He was in charge of experimental design and experimentation, and was only assigned a small amount of work, which was mostly related to 'determining experimental data'.

He has no doctoral students under his supervision, and even the associate researchers he works with have their own jobs.

However, he also had another task: to formally join Zhang Minghao as part of the project team and to invite Meng Guoqing to assist with the calculations.

Zhang Minghao and Meng Guoqing share a common task: to apply a new method to calculate the third-order Kawahara equations used in experiments.

Joining the project team formally is not something that can be done just by talking about it.

A contract must be signed, and a confidentiality agreement must also be signed.

Zhang Minghao received a contract to join the project as a doctoral student, and his supervisor's name was Xue Kun. The advantage was that he could receive the project stipend in advance.

"The monthly allowance averages two to three thousand, which is enough to help with living expenses."

"Furthermore, your paper can be affiliated with the project, and the review fees and publication fees can be reimbursed. You can also receive a bonus after publication."

"It's not a lot of money, but it can help out a bit."

Xue Kun explained.

Zhang Minghao readily signed the contract and confidentiality agreement, officially becoming a member of the project team.

……

Following the project team meeting, the data calculation and analysis for the preliminary experiments officially commenced.

Zhang Minghao assigned doctoral students to workspaces, which were similar to offices. Each student was provided with a desk and a computer, along with three other doctoral students.

Once inside the workshop, I met other doctoral students.

Liao Shuyan is a doctoral student supervised by Zhu Bingkun, and this is his third year as a doctoral student.

Xu Chao is also a doctoral student under Zhu Bingkun, and is also a third-year student.

The other was a girl, Chen Lanjun, with short hair draped over her head and square-framed glasses, which made her look very elegant. She was Chen Shuai's second-year doctoral student.

Chen Lanjun and Zhang Minghao were originally in the same class.

Zhang Minghao re-enrolled in school and was four years younger than her, so she could barely be called a 'senior'.

Chen Lanjun jokingly remarked, "Finally, there's a junior student younger than me!"

"Call Senior Sister!"

Zhang Minghao also greeted her sweetly, "Hello, senior."

"Good boy~~~"

Chen Lanjun replied with a smile.

Liao Shuyan and Xu Chao were together. When they saw Zhang Minghao come in, they only waved symbolically. Chen Lanjun introduced them by name.

Since the other party didn't speak, Zhang Minghao simply kept quiet and sat down in his seat to organize his things.

Liao Shuyan and Xu Chao exchanged a glance and simultaneously curled their lips. They felt somewhat repulsed by Zhang Minghao for a simple reason: he actually believed that the conclusion of the preliminary experiment was wrong.

impossible!
They worked on the project for over a year, participating in the preliminary experiments, including design, research, and analysis. They were very confident in the experimental conclusions.

That was the project team's biggest achievement in the past six months, and perhaps even their only notable achievement.

mistake?
What a joke!
The two huddled together, seemingly discussing a problem, but actually whispering amongst themselves.

"The project team actually decided to recalculate the data from the preliminary experiments?"

Xu Chao pursed his lips and said, "The preliminary experimental calculations and analyses were done three times, and the results were consistent each time. Professor Zhu agreed because of Professor Xue, right?"

Liao Shuyan frowned and said in a low voice, "It's said that there's some new mathematical research, and it's even his..."

He pointed in Zhang Minghao's direction.

"I'm just wondering, what mathematical achievements could a physics PhD student possibly have? And how could they possibly affect our experiments?"

Xu Chao said, "It's probably just because of Professor Xue Kun's reputation. Maybe there's also a math professor? I heard there's a professor in the math department who really admires him."

"Then why is he studying mathematics? Why physics?" Liao Shuyan curled her lip. "It increases our workload, and it's meaningless work."

"no way."

"I'll be busy these next couple of days..."

(End of this chapter)