Young people who want to go to heaven
2024-08-18
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Two months ago, in the South Pole-Aitken Basin of the Moon, Chang'e-6 launched the first sample collection mission by a human probe on the far side of the moon. This was China's second landing on the far side of the moon. No other country has ever soft-landed here before.
At the same time, Queqiao-2, outside the Earth's orbit, cooperated well to build a "communication bridge" between the Earth and the Moon for the Chang'e-6 lunar exploration mission... Above the starry sky, my country's aerospace industry is painting a magnificent picture, and mankind's exploration of the forefront of the universe continues to move forward.
From the research and development of new materials and control software to precision structure workshops, countless aerospace workers are contributing "light and heat" in various fields, jointly performing a team relay race, allowing astronauts and spacecraft to "pick the stars with their hands."
Aerospace technology integrates multiple disciplines and engineering technologies, and embodies the comprehensive strength of a country's scientific and technological development. Why is my country's aerospace technology at the forefront? There is a group of young people who dream of "going to the sky". The answer can be seen from their "little account book" recording the research and development of new materials.
“Do what others don’t have, and solve the problem of lack of materials for the next generation of products”
In the office of the advanced high-temperature resistant structural composite material development team of the 306th Institute of the Third Academy of Aerospace, there is a banner that reads "With the burning original intention, we will forge the aerospace sword; with the magnificent craftsmanship, it will surely become a national weapon."
Not long ago, Dr. Ke, who received the award news, stood under a banner, holding the award notice of the Science and Technology Progress Award tightly in his hand, and told reporters about the afternoon when the decision was made a few years ago.
"One generation of materials, one generation of equipment". The research and development of new materials bears the heavy burden of promoting the upgrading of aerospace equipment. A few years ago, due to insufficient technical reserves, the research and development results of the department did not catch up with the "train" of aerospace missions. No one knew where the research and development of the department would go.
Dr. Ke said that the team leader at that time led everyone to reach a consensus: aiming at the next "space train" from multiple directions is like raising a group of "piglets". The strongest one will definitely be able to break through the siege and catch up with the train.
The R&D team discussed the issue. Photo provided by the interviewee
Materials science is a vast ocean. Properties such as temperature resistance, strength, and ductility are all "waves". Only when you step on the right wave line in the waves can the surfboard stand firmly. Therefore, developing new materials is not a multiple-choice question, but a saturation research and development. The strategy of developing multiple materials in parallel ensures that at least one route can be successful.
In the new materials race, starting from different tracks, the "saturated" R&D teams all have the same goal - to catch the next "space train".
Targeting the weak links of existing technologies and considering that the high temperature resistant field is definitely the future direction, Dr. Ke claimed the "little piglet" of high temperature resistant structural composite materials. "We will do what others don't have and solve the problem of lack of materials for the next generation of products." Recalling the decision at that time, the optimistic Dr. Ke said.
Aiming at the peak, working hard and determined to do something big, Dr. Ke and his team set out.
"Little Golden Pig" gets on the "space train"
The team selected polyimide, a top-level high-temperature resistant material, which is also relatively difficult to mold.
"We had neither the technology nor the equipment." Dr. Ke recalled the difficulties at the beginning and lamented sincerely that this "little piglet" was still a "little golden pig" and the raw materials needed to raise it were very expensive.
The new technology, high costs, and the new equipment developed by the team themselves put a lot of pressure on the safe growth of the "Little Golden Pig".
Whenever the material is formed at high temperature, the team members have to take turns to watch the process for dozens of hours, fearing that there will be any mistakes. With great patience, the material forming process has become more and more mature and stable, and the "little golden pig" has thrived under the careful care of the team. Then, an opportunity to take the "space train" was presented to the team.
The R&D team is observing the data. Photo provided by the interviewee
This is a task to develop a pressure vessel. To complete the task, one only needs to overcome two difficulties: one is a breakthrough from scratch, as this type of product has never used composite materials and there is no reference for design parameters; the other is a subversion of material properties. Experts believe that the material selected by the team is not suitable for winding and cannot be made into a pressure vessel.
After two years of continuous adjustment of molding parameters and hundreds of test specimens, the team broke through the winding technology and supported the input of design data. Once, twice, three times... the stability of the "little golden pig" was improved step by step, and it passed the pressure test perfectly. Later, it successfully passed a series of tests such as vibration, impact, and hydraulic pressure, and successfully boarded the "train" to the stars and the sea.
Holding the first prize notification of the "CASIC Science and Technology Progress Award" applied for by his team, Dr. Ke raised his head and stared at the big words "original intention" on the banner.
Cultivate more "little golden mice" and "little golden bulls"
Industry experts have analyzed that the new materials with great potential in the future must be advanced materials. First, their performance must exceed that of existing or current materials; second, their development and application prospects should be foreseeable, which coincides with the "Little Golden Pig" research and development ideas of Dr. Ke's team. This is a vivid microcosm of my country's new materials industry supporting the construction of major national projects.
In addition to aerospace, new materials technology has been widely used in industries such as new generation information technology, new energy, equipment manufacturing, rail transportation and marine engineering, demonstrating my country's complete innovation and industrial chain for the research and development, manufacturing and application of new materials.
Data shows that my country ranks first in the world in the number of invention patents and papers in the field of new materials, and has 1.6 million professional and technical talents, ranking first in the world; there are more than 400 national laboratories, new materials technology innovation centers, national key laboratories, and industrialization bases; in 2023, there will be 1.6513 million new materials companies, with an output value of more than 7.7 trillion yuan, accounting for about 7% of my country's GDP.
At present, a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation is reshaping the industrial landscape, and strategic emerging industries and future industries such as new materials have become new tracks for competition among countries.
In recent years, the country has attached great importance to the development of the new materials industry. Relevant departments have successively issued a series of policy measures, including the "Guidelines for the Development of the New Materials Industry", "National New Materials Production and Application Demonstration Platform Construction Plan", "14th Five-Year Plan for the Development of the Raw Materials Industry", and "Raw Materials Industry Digital Transformation Work Plan (2024-2026)" to promote the continuous innovation and development of the new materials industry and create a good industrial development environment.
Chang'e 6, China's domestically produced large aircraft C919, "Struggler", Fuxing EMU, Tiangong space station, Beidou navigation, crust-1... the value of new materials continues to be highlighted. The future international lunar research station, Tianwen-3, "artificial sun", etc., also require new materials to "play" at a higher level.
With the "Little Golden Pig", the team has secured more advanced research and production conditions, laying a solid foundation for cultivating more new technologies and new products. Dr. Ke said that the team will forge ahead to cultivate more "Little Golden Rats" and "Little Golden Bulls" with the determination to innovate and break through and the perseverance to study hard.
(Source: People's Daily Online)
