Chapter 218 Academic Physics and Applied Physics
There are only 2 months until the first Bruce Conference on October 30th.
The world of physics has begun to be turbulent, and everyone is busy.
The attending leaders need to prepare report materials and discuss physics from a high perspective.
This is not a private party, you can do whatever you want.
Now the whole world is paying attention to this conference. If a concept is misunderstood or a very low-level speech is made, it will probably be laughed at.
So, even Nobel Prize winners must prepare their content carefully from now on.
As for those physicists who did not attend the meeting, some were working hard on their own experiments, while others stopped to rest for a while to see if this meeting would bring any changes to their research directions. inspiration.
As for physicists like Professor Case, they are more concerned about how many new topics the conference can bring to train students.
They have given up going any further.
It is more reliable to train students honestly.
Because there is more and more knowledge about physics now.
With their age and energy, it is too late to learn from scratch.
As the development of physics becomes more and more cutting-edge and in-depth, teaching and research are gradually separated.
In the era of Newton and even Maxwell, there was no foundation or research in so-called physics.
What students learn is the latest stuff, and they also do research in class.
However, nowadays, with the explosion of knowledge, it is difficult for undergraduates to make earth-shattering results.
Because you have to learn a lot just based on the basics.
For example, if you want to study the theory of relativity, you must have at least studied the three major theories of classical physics.
Even decades later, if you want to do some research, you must learn not only the three major theories, but also relativity and quantum mechanics.
The peak period of a person's creativity is wasted in learning this kind of existing knowledge.
But it’s not enough if you don’t learn, otherwise you won’t even be able to get in.
This is why the physicists of later generations are basically old men with white beards and cannot see young people.
Now is the best era for modern physics.
All the truths began to emerge slowly, and young people had more opportunities than old people.
Because they will not be bound by the classics, nor will they regard Newton and Maxwell as their authorities.
Especially geniuses such as Heisenberg, Pauli and Dirac, they grew up listening to the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics.
Newtonian mechanics? It’s too old, I won’t learn it!
The above is all about academic physics, but in the field of applied physics, this logic is completely different.
For applied physics, in this era, Newtonian mechanics and Maxwellian electromagnetism are far more important than relativity and quantum mechanics.
After all, we can't invent satellites, spaceships or anything like that now, so there's no need for such high-end things.
Watt, Edison, and Tesla are all representatives of applied physics.
Applied physics is generally not considered when physicists discuss academics and rankings.
But this does not conceal their value, especially to human development.
Although applied physicists use existing physical knowledge, the products they create have profoundly changed the world.
In the early 20th century, the pinnacle of applied physics was Marconi's radio.
On October 16, 1909, the ninth Nobel Prize was announced.
The winners of the Nobel Prize in Physics are: Marconi and Braun.
The reason for the award is the contribution to the development of wireless telegraphy.
London, Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company.
Marconi looked in disbelief. Someone from the Nobel Prize Committee for Physics had just called him. He thought he was a fraudster.
He thinks too much. Scammers in this era cannot afford the phone.
Marconi couldn’t understand how he could win the Nobel Prize in Physics when he was not a physicist at all.
As the boss of a technology company, he certainly knows the importance of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
The Dutch company Philips transformed from an ordinary company that made light bulbs into a world-renowned technology company because of its association with Bruce.
Nowadays, Philips' products are synonymous with the power of science and technology.
Especially the radio, which actually used its own radio technology, which made Marconi feel that big companies have deep pockets.
The application of radio was developed so quickly.
However, when he thought about it, he seemed to be hugging Bruce's thigh.
So, he quickly packed up his things, ignoring the congratulations of his colleagues in the company, and rushed towards King's College London.
Under the leadership of Delia, Marconi met Li Qiwei.
He knew that Li Qiwei was preparing for the meeting before, so he didn't dare to disturb him easily.
Marconi said excitedly: "Professor, I want to tell you good news. I won this year's Nobel Prize in Physics!"
Li Qiwei pretended to be surprised, and then patted him in response. shoulder and said: "You deserve this, Marconi."
"Your radio is a great invention that changes the future of mankind."
Li Qiwei looked at the elated Marconi and felt very happy inside.
Of course he knew that Marconi would win the Nobel Prize in Physics this year, and he would have his own vote.
Since he became the first Nobel Prize winner in Physics, the Nobel Committee will ask him to be a nominee for every subsequent selection.
Li Qiwei also basically followed history without any intentional changes.
In fact, it is useless even if he wants to, because he only has one vote and cannot change the general trend.
Otherwise, Leonard would not have won the fifth Nobel Prize in Physics.
At this time, Li Qiwei smiled and joked: "Marconi, you are now also a Nobel Prize winner in physics. Do you want to attend the first Bruce Conference today?"
Ma Keni waved his hand quickly when he heard this, "No, no, no, professor, you misunderstood me."
"I know very well what level I am."
"I know your theory of relativity. Even if you look at it, you can’t understand it at all.”
"How can I expect to participate in such a high-end physics academic conference."
"Even if you ask me to go, I will definitely refuse. I don't want to be the first physics Nobel Prize winner to be laughed at. "
Li Qiwei laughed loudly when he heard this, this Marconi is a wonderful man.
In fact, Lippmann, the winner of the 8th Nobel Prize in Physics, won the award for the same reason as Marconi, which was applied physics.
The reason for Lippmann's award was the invention of color photography using interference phenomena. It seems a little simpler than radio.
Why did Li Qiwei invite Lippmann but not Marconi?
Because color photographs are only one of Lippmann's achievements.
His most important achievements are in academic physics, including Lippmann's interference law.
And his research scope was very wide, including electrothermal light and other fields, and he was a recognized authority in the European scientific community at that time.
A bit similar to Lord Kelvin, they are both pinnacle representatives of classical physics.
Lippmann also donated the capillary potentiometer he invented to the French Physical Society free of charge.
If he patents this invention, he can become a millionaire immediately.
It was this spirit that made him a highly respected figure in physics.
Therefore, there is a big difference between him and Marconi.
Apart from radio, Marconi had no academic achievements.
At this time, Li Qiwei suddenly thought of something and asked: "Marconi, how is the improvement of your wireless telegraph machine."
"Have all the previous problems been solved? ?"
Hearing this question, Marconi immediately became energetic: "Professor, I followed your suggestion and used the newly invented triode."
"Today's wireless telegraph machine. The size can be made smaller and the functions are more complete.”
"It is expected that formal products will be produced before June next year."
"I have already received many orders from the military."
"However, their requirements Higher, some other functions need to be added.”
Li Qiwei nodded, very satisfied.
While he was at home, he was always paying attention to the situation in Europe.
When the triode was first invented, he wrote to Marconi, saying that it was a very useful technology for him and asked him to study it carefully.
Marconi was indeed a radio genius. It had only been two or three years and he was about to produce a formal product.
This product is not the previous testing machine, but a product to be sold externally.
Li Qiwei felt a lot more relaxed. By next year, he would be able to use wireless telegraphy to remotely control the country.
When the time comes, I will have one here, one in Borneo, and one at home in Guangzhou.
Finally, I have some experience of the future.
"Marconi, you did a great job."
"I think you may surpass Philips in the future with this product."
This sentence is actually Li Qiwei's sincere words.
The radio cake is too big.
As the founder, as long as Marconi operates normally and with his reputation, the future of the company is unlimited.
With Li Qiwei here in this life, there are too many products that can be made.
It just so happened that Pioneer Investment Group also invested in Marconi's company.
Li Qiwei helped himself by helping Marconi.
He has a vision for future generations, so he is naturally optimistic about radio.
But Marconi did not. Although he knew that radio was important, he would never think of mobile phones, satellites and other things.
So Marconi was very shocked. He did not expect that Ridgway valued radio so much.
If anyone else had said this to Marconi, he would have scoffed.
But Li Qiwei was different.
The identity of a person can determine the future of a technology.
In the future, Li Qiwei's words may even change the destiny of billions of people in the world.
Marconi is now very lucky that he went to attend the meeting in Brussels.
Otherwise, there is a high probability that his fate will be that the company will collapse and he will have to go back to being a rich second generation with nothing to do.
In his own manor of hundreds of acres, he planted flowers and grass, flirted with the maid, accomplished nothing, and regretted it for the rest of his life.
“Professor, don’t worry, I will definitely follow your instructions and continuously improve the company’s R&D strength.”
Suddenly, Marconi said flatteringly: "Well, Professor, can I also authorize the use of your patent like Philips?"
Li Qiwei smiled and said: "You can just go and talk to the people from the Pioneer Group. Yes, just say I agree."
Marconi was overjoyed.
Everyone in the technology industry now knows that Professor Bruce’s patent is a cornucopia and a chicken that lays golden eggs.
Countless companies dream of cooperating with Li Qiwei.
As long as it can bind a patent and develop a good product, the company will stand out and lead the trend.
Philips’ story inspires all entrepreneurs.
Li Qiwei also suddenly felt very interesting.
I originally just wanted to reach the top in the world of academic physics, but unexpectedly, I changed the world of applied physics.
A few decades later, perhaps half of the high-tech companies in the world will have his patents, and that means counting money is too much.
After Marconi left, Delia came in.
While packing her things, she secretly looked at Li Qiwei.
During this time, she also learned the identity of Ridgway’s millionaire.
I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.
Why is such a handsome, talented, gentlemanly, young and wealthy perfect man married?
Delia thinks that her conditions are very good, especially the appearance and hardware, she is definitely outstanding.
But Professor Bruce has never been like other greasy old men, always looking for opportunities to take advantage of her.
He is gentle and aboveboard.
Delia is extremely envious of Professor Bruce's wife, she must be the happiest person in the world.
Because several times, she saw the other person looking quietly to the east, with love in his eyes.
(End of this chapter)