CHAPTER 224: CHAPTER 222 TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCTS

"Isn’t the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery something quite simple? As long as you can get a long half-life radioactive element and a few thermoelectric chips, it’s not hard to make this thing yourself!" Chen Xin responded to Zhang Chengguang’s inquiry with a nonchalant attitude, hoping to brush this matter aside.

Seeing Chen Xin’s nonchalant attitude, Zhang Chengguang felt a wave of difficulty and helplessness.

The principle of the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery is very simple; to put it plainly, it’s about thermoelectric conversion. Even a primary school student could make one if given the materials and the principle was explained clearly. But the problem is that radioactive elements are controlled substances in Flame Country and even globally. Ordinary citizens find it hard to even see them, let alone buy them.

Even if, taking a huge step back, Chen Xin had the means to obtain a piece of radioactive element sufficient for his use, and also acquired high-performance thermoelectric chips, creating such an Isotope Thermoelectric Battery, this kind of thing could at most light up a bulb or run a heater. It is impossible to power a vehicle weighing at least a dozen tons, like an armored motorhome!

Zhang Chengguang, being an astronaut, has had some contact and understanding of Isotope Thermoelectric Batteries. In the aerospace field, these batteries are extensively used because they can output power for a long time. They are employed in satellites and probes.

But even the Yan Country Aerospace Bureau, without considering the cost, may not be able to make an Isotope Thermoelectric Battery that can power Chen Xin’s vehicle.

Having driven the vehicle himself for the last few days, Zhang Chengguang clearly knew just how good the vehicle’s power performance was. This was not just due to a good engine; it required a powerful core output as well.

An Isotope Thermoelectric Battery capable of at least 100KW output power, even if achieved by three batteries together, is quite astonishing. If such batteries could be used in Flame Country’s spacecraft, solar panels could be completely discarded.

Moreover, in the current post-apocalyptic environment, this kind of powerful output Isotope Thermoelectric Battery has a promising future and wide applications.

Even before the disaster, the energy problem has always been a perplexing and restricting issue for the development of nations. Traditional fossil fuels are depleting and heavily polluting, while clean renewable energy hasn’t developed fast enough, resulting in the energy shortage problem remaining a major concern for the world’s major countries.

Especially for a developing country like Flame Country, the energy issue is even more severe, significantly restricting the nation’s development pace.

And with the advent of the apocalypse, the energy problem has exacerbated greatly.

But the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery that Chen Xin possesses could be a remedy to many problems, whether powering small shelters, serving as a vehicle power source, or for other purposes. This device, though small, has extensive applications due to its strong output power!

Just running a quick thought in his mind, Zhang Chengguang could think of at least a dozen or twenty places where such an Isotope Thermoelectric Battery could be used.

The issue now is that this strategic material, which Zhang Chengguang believes could change the existing energy structure in Flame Country, is Chen Xin’s personal possession. He even claims to have made it himself, with the technology in his own hands.

Zhang Chengguang was half-skeptical of Chen Xin’s claim that he made it himself.

The belief comes from the advanced technology of the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery used by Chen Xin. It is a technology that Flame Country’s research institutions cannot currently achieve, so it’s unlikely Chen Xin bought the battery from elsewhere, which means it must be self-made.

The suspicion arises because Zhang Chengguang hasn’t witnessed Chen Xin’s hands-on abilities and doubts that these Isotope Thermoelectric Batteries are truly homemade by Chen Xin.

After all, exceeding the majority of scientists to achieve something they haven’t managed with countless resources and time, unless one is a genius who can change the world alone, it’s usually impossible.

However, after hesitating and considering for a moment, Zhang Chengguang chose not to question Chen Xin further and merely asked, "Would you consider selling the technology for manufacturing these batteries to the state, Chen Xin? Or perhaps sell the finished products instead!"

Upon hearing Zhang Chengguang’s question, Chen Xin did not respond immediately and appeared somewhat hesitant and indecisive.

Noting Chen Xin’s hesitation, though eager, Zhang Chengguang restrained his emotions and proactively said, "You might not be able to decide immediately on this matter, so perhaps give it more thought. However, I do hope you’ll at least provide the finished Isotope Thermoelectric Batteries to the state, as it would aid significantly in the country’s disaster recovery."

"I’ll consider it." Chen Xin simply nodded in acknowledgment without elaborating further to Zhang Chengguang.

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Following Chen Xin’s commitment to consider selling the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery’s technology or products to the state, neither of them mentioned the topic again.

And Chen Xin’s vehicle, driven by Zhang Yao, finally entered the city area of Three Towns following the road.

On the way, they encountered two more checkpoints, both of which conducted strict inspections on Chen Xin’s vehicle.

After passing these checkpoints, Zhang Yao, while maneuvering the steering wheel under the staff’s guidance towards the provincial headquarters of E Province in Three Towns, asked Chen Xin, "So Comrade Chen, what did you do before? Modifying cars, making planting boxes, and even the Isotope Thermoelectric Battery—are you knowledgeable in mechanics?"

"Not exactly knowledgeable, just influenced by my dad as a child and later worked in this field, accumulating a bit along the way." Chen Xin smiled, his reply tinged with a bit of melancholy.

Zhang Yao sensed Chen Xin’s melancholy, understanding the purpose of his journey, and empathizing with the emotion, he comforted him, "Comrade Chen, you needn’t be so wistful; I’m sure you’ll reunite with your parents—everything will turn out well."

"Then I’ll thank Brother Zhang for your good wishes—everything will indeed turn out well." Hearing Zhang Yao’s comforting words, Chen Xin immediately smiled.

However, besides comforting Chen Xin, Zhang Yao curiously added, "But Comrade Chen, your father’s quite impressive, influencing you so greatly with a little exposure to make you so promising at a young age. I believe your father must be an exceptional person; I’d love to meet him!"

"Haha, Brother Zhang, if you want to meet my dad, you’ll have to wait until I bring him back, perhaps on the return trip passing through Three Towns. But that’s contingent upon Brother Zhang still being around Three Towns then." Chen Xin joked about the matter.