Because of what happened with the Dragon chips, this research and development institute made a name for itself all across the world.
Because of this huge honor, people in the institute felt pressure on their shoulders.
No one wanted to make any mistakes.
If they couldn’t maintain their advantage in the field, then their efforts would have been for nothing…
Right now, the most important thing was to do everything possible to improve the performance of carbon-based transistors. This was so that the efficiency of carbon-based chips could be further improved without giving their opponents any room to breathe. They wanted to squeeze silicon-based chips out of the market as quickly as possible…
Inside the office of an integrated circuit design center.
Director Li and Academician Liu Changqing were wearing virtual reality helmets. They were sitting motionlessly on the sofa, visiting the new Institute of Semiconductors of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
“This is our new laboratory, the development tools were customized for us by Star Sky Technology. We are helping them test the software. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the most important thing; this is called a virtual integrated circuit workshop, or IC workshop for short.”
Inside an empty room, Academician Liu Changqing controlled and moved suspended circuits in the air. He briefly demonstrated the functions of this development tool to Director Li, who was next to him.
“All tools and operations are done through an interactive interface, whether it’s the movement, rotation, or modification of the object. These tasks can be completed by one person or multiple people… Isn’t this amazing?”
“It’s more than amazing, it’s simply magical…” Director Li couldn’t help but look confused as he asked, “But what is the use of it?”
“Oh, it has so many uses.” Academician Liu smiled and said, “Just by combining geometric images and setting parameters, we can use this virtual laboratory to simulate carbon chips and design the details of the integrated circuit.”
Director Li was astonished.
“Wait, so you’re saying, this thing can replace real-life experiments?!”
That is awesome!
“It can’t replace experiments, but this technology will save us a lot of time in the design process.”
When Dean Liu Changqing moved his wrist and fingers, the yellow circuit lines rotated in front of Director Li’s eyes.
“All of the components have been scaled up. Now that we have this, we don’t have to use traditional drawings and computers to design anymore. Basically, from the feedback we receive from people in the institute, it’s easier to be inspired when working in this virtual integrated circuit design laboratory.”
Compared to other old academicians, Liu Changqing was more of the kind that was open to new changes. So when Star Sky Technology contacted them, he immediately integrated the virtual reality technology into his research institute.
This showed that his choice was extremely correct. Not only did this development tool make the boring design work a little bit more fun, but it also more than doubled the work efficiency of their integrated circuit design department.
Actually, it wasn’t just the integrated circuit design.
The same technology could actually be applied to many fields, from modular product design to urban layout planning.
This kind of positive impact was far more than just making design work interesting and fun. Instead, it completely opened up another creative and inspiring dimension.
Of course, these were just some assumptions he made from the perspective of a scholar. He was certain that the brilliant Professor Lu thought of the same thing a long time ago.
Otherwise, Star Sky Technology would have never sold them the “IC development laboratory” product.
After Director Li received a tour of the IC lab, the two old men left the Phantom system, took off their helmets, and returned to their office.
The two cups of tea on the coffee table had gone cold, but after wearing the helmet, Director Li’s heart was even warmer than before.
He had no idea that a gaming console would have such a huge application in the industry.
Academician Liu picked up a cup of tea and continued speaking, “This is a great little gadget. The integrated circuit design field will revolutionize. Starting with universities, then implementing it in businesses… However, I believe that we don’t have to promote this to businesses at all. After they see what’s the functionality of this technology, no company would reject such an excellent development tool.”
He took a sip of tea to moisturize his throat. After pausing for a second, he spoke emotionally.
“Even though this is obvious, I still want to say this. Ever since Academician Lu came back to China, I feel like everything has been changing, whether it’s my work or my life.”
Director Li waved his hands.
“Sigh, don’t mention that guy, he still owes me.”
“He owes you what?”
Director Li looked at Academician Liu’s curious face and said, “Actually, it’s not a huge deal. He promised me he was working on something awesome at the end of last year. But until now, he still hasn’t told me anything!”
Academician Liu smiled and said, “Maybe there’s a reason.”
Director Li shook his head.
“Doesn’t seem like it.”
There can’t be a reason.
I know Lu Zhou too well.
While the two were talking, a phone suddenly began ringing.
“I have to take this,” Director Li said as he took out his phone. He looked at his screen and said, “Speak of the devil, it’s Academician Lu calling.”
Academician Liu took a sip of tea and spoke.
“Maybe he’s about to tell you the secret.”
“Hopefully, but I bet he wants a favor from me.”
Director Li picked up the phone and spoke in a cheerful manner, not a single hint of distaste in his voice.
“Hey, Academician Lu! I heard you’re making a fortune recently?”
Lu Zhou was muddled by Director Li’s words. He paused for a second and replied, “A fortune?”
Director Li smiled and said, “I heard your helmet is earning billions of revenue?”
Oh, that’s what he’s talking about…
Lu Zhou: “Right, I think so.”
Director Li: “Why do I feel like you’re not excited?”
“It’s just not a big deal, that’s not why I called you for.” Lu Zhou looked at the time on his watch and said, “I solved the topological quantum computer.”
“Topological quantum?”
Director Li had never heard of this complicated phrase before, so he asked, “What is that?”
Lu Zhou replied in a concise manner, “You can kind of think of it as… a quantum computer.”
Instantly, the phone call went silent.
Director Li gulped; his voice trembled as he said, “Wh-what you’re saying is…”
Lu Zhou nodded.
“Yeah, quantum computers are a reality now.”
