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Chapter 390 Searching for silicon-based life

"Are there any genius newcomers recently?" Shu Xiao asked casually. This was the first thing he wanted to know after he woke up.

"Of course, there is one who is a top student in the Department of Mathematics of Deep Space University, and his mathematical modeling is particularly good. The other one is a graduate of Xingchen University, who are all studying robots in high gravity environments... Our institute only grabbed two students. Look at their papers: "Research on Numerical Simulation Verification of Submarine High Pressure Air Short Blowing Mathematical Model" and "Design of Control System for Submarine Head Case Pressure Hydraulic Press"..."

Shu Xiao looked through the summary and sighed: "Are the submarines acting in deep-sea environments? This generation of students is also very powerful... Oh, by the way, the planning of the 10th Institute has been started now?"

"Yes, some of our famous experts have been transferred here. It is said that they will form several new universities to specialize in scientific surveys in complex environments. Do you have the intention to be a teacher? The main research direction is about mechanical engineering and spacecraft design."

"No, I'm not at this level." Shu Xiao shook his head quickly.

He himself is still a 50-year-old. It is more important to learn more from the great people. Where can I have enough skills to lead newcomers?

When designing spacecraft, submarine, etc., don’t think it sounds very cool. In fact, every part embodies the wisdom of a large number of scientific researchers.

With such a casual chat, he basically understood the big things that have happened over the years. Every time he woke up from hibernation, he could hear good news.

Colleague Xu Yafeng continued: "... Let's talk about your recent work first. In order to prepare for the scientific research work of "Super Earth", the government has issued a major project, including new robots and transport aircraft design plans. Do you have any ideas? It would be nice if you can apply for a project."

"Super Earth Exploration..."

"Yes, according to current technology, there is no problem in launching a probe robot, but it is much more difficult to re-launch. Three times the gravity and eight times the air pressure are all difficult points."

"Our current shuttle has the performance of the shuttle that is likely to be unable to return from such a high-gravity planet, so everyone is discussing to use the latest ramjet technology."

That's true.

Shu Xiao opened the computer with great interest, browsed relevant scientific research forums, and discussed many big shots in this area, each of which was famous in the circle.

[...Humans have no way to log onto this planet directly. With 3 times the gravity, they can only rely on robots. However, we can use VR technology to connect the sight of these robots, and replace controls equivalently.]

[...The atmosphere is too thick, and the outer coating of the shuttle machine has to be re-made, otherwise the entire spacecraft will easily burn to ashes because of its speed too fast. This is a systematic project, and if you want to do it, you have to re-design it all.]

[After calculations, the specific impulse of the nuclear fusion engine is theoretically no problem, and it can overcome 3 times the gravity. If 10 times the gravity is bad, it will be bad, and even our spacecraft cannot directly break free from gravity.]

Looking at the various messages below, Shu Xiao frowned. Research on this aspect was actually much more troublesome than imagined!

He smiled and said, "I see that there are many big guys on the list, and I thought it would be solved in a few months."

Another colleague sitting next to him said, "Now I only know the general planetary environment. No matter what, the robot must resist heat, high gravity, water, and acid? It may also resist typhoons. With such a dense atmosphere, any little wind can blow the robot away."

Shu Xiao began to think with a frown. He happened to be a related scientific researcher and was very interested in this issue.

Don’t think that humans are interstellar civilizations, and they can overcome all natural conditions.

This is the first time that humans have encountered 3 times gravity. It is likely that even chips and other things have to be redesigned.

"But then again, if humans are so difficult, then, if there is a smart civilization on this planet, how should they solve this problem? It's not that we are self-deprecating, but humans have already stepped into the threshold of level three civilization."

"Hey, that's right. So I bet that if there is civilization on this planet, if it exists, has not entered space."

"Isn't this a win? Just a gamble!" These young people laughed and joked.

Xu Yafeng coughed twice on the side: "...You can create a speed reduction parachute and then throw it down a tank-like robot. As long as the tonnage of this robot is large enough, you don't have to worry about strong winds. Anyway, the atmosphere of the planet is very dense, and the speed reduction parachute is very effective."

"...We can also build some airboats. Airboats should also be able to detect the ground, right? And there is no technical content required. Our nanomaterial manufacturing airboats are more than enough. I have submitted the topic report on this aspect. Should we join us?"

"No problem!" Shu Xiao nodded, using some simple technology to solve practical problems, this is the real wisdom, "But, how can we collect biological specimens just by relying on airships?"

"This is not what we should care about..." Xu Yafeng nodded: "There are a few big bulls designing new spacecraft. Anyway, the detectors that are deployed are not only us."

The two of them discussed so enthusiastically for a long time before they gradually became quiet.

Shu Xiao suddenly had a whim: "So, how do you think the creatures on this planet should survive? It won't be just some microorganisms, it's too boring."

"It's not that there is no such possibility... I hope it's better not to be so unlucky." Xu Yafeng sighed very regretfully: "Three times the gravity means that the creatures on this planet cannot look as huge as dinosaurs..."

"Otherwise, their bones would be so harder, they would be harder than conventional steel cement. It would be difficult to evolve such a body under natural conditions. Any material has its limits."

"So, I guess, the lives of this planet should be all crawling against the ground, and even hiding under the ground like the Glitzer people."

Another young man also stretched his head over, "I think, because of the dense atmosphere, there may be a large number of species that can glide. Although the gravity of this planet is three times that of the earth, the air pressure increases even more. Just like fish swimming in water, they may evolve into streamlined creatures that can glide in the air."

"Will there be another form of life?" Shu Xiao clicked on a post casually, discussing the possibility of the emergence of silicon-based life on this planet.

With this high gravity and highly complex environment, the temperature in many areas can reach 60 to 70 degrees Celsius, which is likely to give birth to a completely different silicon-based life from the Earth!

However, this speculation was refuted by a large group of biologists.

Many biologists believe that silicon-based life is difficult to produce under natural conditions.

Because humans have visited some different planets, people have only found silica and silicates, but have never found substances such as silanes and silicones.

Can simple silica and silicates form life?

Of course...can't.

From a chemical perspective, people have found advanced compounds of carbon on comets and meteorites, but no advanced compounds of silicon are found.

Methane is common on planets and can also be found in interstellar matter and nebula. Complex molecules such as methylacetylene and cyanodecane can also be found in interstellar matter, and people even found amino acids on meteorites!

However, humans have never discovered silane-like substances related to silicon.

That is to say, not only does there be no silane in interstellar matter, but silane cannot be formed even through subsequent chemical processes of the planet.
Chapter completed!
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