Japan: A New Age - Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Negotiations with the country

At 11:30 on Tuesday, from Haneda Airport, take the monorail to Hamamatsucho, dine at Tokyo Station and transfer to the subway to Kasumigaseki Subway Station.

　At 1:55, go to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry reception, Yamato put out a business card, and tell the receptionist woman, "I am Yamato of Gangnam University. I have an appointment with Director Tanaka at 2 o'clock."

"Yes, I'm visiting you. Please wait a moment. I'll get a guide."

　After sitting on the sofa at the reception desk and waiting for about 5 minutes, it was called "Mr. Yamato, the one who gave us the information," and the woman who was waiting for us got on the elevator. Get off on the 8th floor, walk a little and stop in front of the room that says "Director's room", then open the door after knocking. "We guided Professor Yamato and Professor Makimura."

"Thank you. You can go down."

　What I was waiting for was Tanaka, who had a slightly thin frame and a solid physique and looked around the age of 50 at the age of the year. First, he greeted Yamato, "Mr. Yamato, I haven't heard from you in a long time." Then, "Mr. Makimura, thank you very much for your valuable talk today."

　Look at two more and say. "At first, I thought I would call the one in the related department, but when I saw Mr. Yamato's e-mail and the secret had leaked, I decided to listen to it by myself."

　Face each other, and sit down on the reception sofa, and start fire from Director Tanaka.

"I read the email, but I made a detailed article in the bureau see the paper, but said, "It's a great paper that completely proves the feasibility of cold fusion and is epoch-making." However, "the operating conditions are not stated and further research on this point is necessary." By the way, it seems that the operating conditions are actually clarified in the contents of Dr. Yamato's e-mail.

　Answer from Makimura. "Yes. The operating conditions have been clarified, and I think it's correct at my discretion, so I'm just going to give it a try."

"So, of course, it is necessary to input energy to cause a reaction, but what is the calculated balance?" Makimura answers to the question of Director Tanaka.

“The input energy is heat and electromagnetic waves, but since electricity is used to generate it, it will be input in the form of electric power. One hour or more of the excitation step until the chain reaction occurs is about 10 times the steady state. However, the power consumption at the time of excitation is only 10 to 20% of the generated amount, so if the chain reaction continues long enough, the input energy is 1 to 2% of the obtained energy. Become.

　Above all, the energy obtained by this reaction is not heat but electric power, which is a flow of electrons, so it is an ideal reaction.

"When I hear your story, I feel that the story is a bit too good compared to the common sense that I have used up to now. Do you believe the results of that paper?"

　Yamato and Makimura answer with a nod. "I'm convinced that I am right as a researcher in a specialized field."

　The question is again from Director Tanaka. “This realization is a great opportunity for Japan, and I would like to realize it as soon as possible, but how long does it take to make it into a device and how much it costs? is it"

　This is the answer from Yamato.

"I tried hearing about some of the necessary equipment and calculated the rough cost. In this case, a bench test-like thing could not be done and the minimum equipment was about 100,000 kW. Probably the size is about 5m wide x 10m long, the construction period is half a year for design, and what can be ordered in the meantime is one year for manufacturing and assembling for a total of one year.

　The construction cost will be 1 to 2 billion yen, assuming that four researchers will be in charge of it all the time.''

"A prototype, a 100,000 kW fusion generator can be made as cheap as 1 to 2 billion a year very quickly. In fact, the fuel cost is extremely low, so the power cost will drop significantly. Above all, The fact that hydrogen is the only fuel means that there will be no fuel shortages in the future.''

　Director Tanaka said, he folded his arms for a while and slumped down to think.

"By the way, the author of the final paper is elementary school student."

"Yes, I'm a genius. I think maybe this time my paper writing is just a part of his talent," Yamato replies.

“Is it possible to expect similar results in the future?” Yamato answers the question of Director Tanaka again.

"Yes, but he must keep his secret until he grows a little further, and if he expects to achieve similar results in the future, he needs to be in an environment with sufficient intellectual inspiration.

　Apparently, he seems to be particularly good at the ability to take in what is known around him or what he knows and create something new.''

“Okay, I'll talk to a lot of different people, but the real truth about that genius is to only talk to the bare minimum.

　In any case, is that fusion generator, the New Clear Fusion Generator? Could you prepare a platform for the development plan including the construction of the prototype? Immediately, I will send a seconded employee from that station to that university," said Tanaka.

　The next day, Yamato called to Makimura, who was thinking about what to do with the development plan that was said yesterday when he went to work. "Director Tanaka departed a second employee this morning, so he will appear in your lab in the afternoon."

“Yeah! Already!” Makimura is surprised, but Professor Yamato takes it for granted.

"It's just right. Let's get a development plan together. By the way, we can't do it in our classroom alone, so we need to get the engineering department to bite us. I'd like to talk to the engineering director, Mr. Urase. By the way, by the way, I'm not waiting for many people to meet in the afternoon, although it's free at night."

　After hanging up the phone, Makimura thought about it.

"Everything is much faster than I thought.

　Perhaps in the future, we will have no choice but to take the initiative in tackling the deviceization of fields that are quite different. While doing university routines and doing routines, I was overworked sooner and later, causing trouble.

　In this case, let's chew the graduate student. If Saito-kun is credible, it's still a year as a doctor, so it shouldn't hurt to discontinue thesis a little. Above all, being involved in such a big theme is a big plus for his future. Should''

　Makimura opens the door of the graduate student's room and asks Masato Saito, who is a graduate student, to the room, saying, "Is it Saito-kun?

　Saito, who sat in front, handed over the revised version of the paper sent to Director Tanaka, who was on the desk. "Saito will know about the paper I posted on my website."

　Saito nods.

"Actually, a paper was sent as a reaction to that. The one I handed over is a simplified version of the paper that I modified.

　I don't have much time, so I'd like you to read the contents later, but the original one that I sent proves the existence of so-called cold fusion that I pursued, and even includes its operating conditions. I judge that the content is correct. This has also been agreed with the Dean of Faculty of Science, Yamato.

　Regarding this matter, movements have already begun toward commercialization. I haven't talked about it yet, but there is a possibility that it can be put into practical use within one year or outside. Regarding deviceization, we are rather outsiders, but it is also certain that it cannot be put to practical use without our assistance.

　What I would like to ask you is that I will not be able to handle it alone, so I would like you to assist me. For the time being, the papers to be published at academic conferences will be stopped, and classes may be neglected. But, as you can see, this is a big job that hasn't come in recent years, and remains in the history of science. what about"

　Saito answers Makimura's words. "Yes, teacher! I'm glad. I'm honored. I will do whatever I can."

"Thank you. Anyway. Please read this paper and understand it well. And"

　Makimura says, taking out the original paper from the drawer. "If you give it to me first, you can show it to other graduate students, but I'd like you to keep it a secret only for you. You can read it, but the contents are too serious.

　Then I can see the person from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry at the beginning of the afternoon, but it is probably coming from the graduate school room, so I want you to pass it through."

　Saito, while being distracted by the paper, replied, "I understand. I'll read it for the time being," and left the room.

　After noon, there was a knock on the door leading to his graduate student's room, and Saito showed up, "I want to see a teacher, Mr. Hidaka."

"Thank you, let me know"

"Excuse me", in the voice of a woman, came in was a small woman, about 30 years old, dressed in a gray suit. A beautiful woman, but a little tight.

“I am Naomi Hidaka. I have been approached by Director Tanaka.”

"Thank you for your effort. It's difficult because of the suddenness. You must have been prepared to prepare."

"No, in fact, my parents' home is in Gangnam. I think that the director general also thought about that."

Hidaka replies to Makimura, asking, "Yes, where are you?"

"Yes, it's a housing complex, so it's a 15 minute drive from here."

"I'm very sorry, but how much do you hear from the director?"

"Yes, it was said that the theoretical establishment of reactions involving cold fusion and direct electric power generation was made clear, and the operating factors were clarified. That means that it is naturally possible to implement it, so we will work on practical application. It is my role to help the materialize, because of its importance, the Director has already been halfway through the ministry and the cooperation of several private companies. But, if you don't make a plan, you can't take it to the government or the government, so making a plan is your first job." Hidaka answers Makimura's question.

“Okay, it sounds like you've heard all that's necessary. By the way, do you have anything to ask about the university's staff?” Hidaka answers Makimura's question.

"Yes, of course, the plan book requires the full guidance of Professor Makimura, and it seems that there is a collaborator in the practical application as well. I heard from the director that negotiations have started with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology."

"Okay, so let's get started with a technical overview."

　After talking to Hidaka for over two hours, she says. "I think I could have swallowed the outline, but it's a bit difficult to calculate the budget. I think that this has to be done early for private companies as well."

“Here too, we ask for cooperation from the materials engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical and electronic engineering departments of the Faculty of Engineering,” Makimura says, but Hidaka is an invitation to entertain.

“I would like to ask that, but if you spread it too much, it may be “a lot of boatmen, boats, climbing mountains”, which is a difficult place. I would like to have a light meal tonight. Since I received the allowance for entertainment expenses from the director, Mr. Yamato said that it is not convenient for today's daytime."

“Yeah. I think I'll be in a relationship for a long time. I think it might be good. Professor Yamato seems to have various guests and talks at the university today, but I think that it is vacant at night, so I called out Makimura answers.

"Then, I'll call the place by 5 o'clock. How about 18:30?"

"It's fine for time. It seems like a treat, but please."

　After Hidaka returned, Makimura looked into the graduate student room and called Saito again.

"Did you read Saito?"

“Yes, I read it. This is ridiculous. I didn't think I was excited to read this kind of paper, but it evolved ridiculously from what was written before my teacher. It's Saito's excited answer.

　Makimura says with a bitter smile. "Yeah, you know. I can't write that now. Or, it's a bit unimaginable to think of it and write it. Certainly, the original idea was what I thought. It's a development of it, and I can follow the idea as you understood it, but there are three places in it, a leap of ideas, That is the part that cannot be exceeded."

"Who wrote it?" Saito asks Makimura.

"I'll see you soon because I'm going to work with you too. I'm sure it's a secret. I think it will be revealed someday, but I need to keep it secret for as long as I can. 10 I'm an old boy in elementary school. I live in Gangnam city."

　Saito sighed as he saw Seriously and Makimura's face.

"I feel like that. If you're a good old man, you shouldn't have been known until now. Maybe this job is just a part of his ability."

　Saito continues. "Mr. Makimura, I am honored to be able to add me to this case, but I think it will be a tough job. I would like to add another new year of Master 2 years. I can trust her. And, as you know, the ability is origami.”

"Hmm, yeah. But let's wait. Since it's still in motion, there is a possibility that everyone in the laboratory may join. Also, I would have been with Mr. Hidaka today. With her in the future At least I will have you join the discussion on campus. For the time being, I will ask her to create a plan for the development plan. Also, I will have you join the Faculty of Engineering in the future, so you can coordinate that as well. I think I'll ask you."

　Makimura often hesitates.

“I understand,” Saito said.