novelNot A Worm?
| ← Ch.1240 | Ch.1242 → |
On the synchronous orbit, a large hibernation chamber was shipped into a heavily guarded laboratory. The frozen specimen was the Mars species from tens of millions of kilometers away - Devil Worm. At the same time, scientists from the major member states of the Earth Defense Alliance gathered here.
These scientists covered a wide range of fields that could help with the research. Their fields included biology, chemistry, and other related fields. Each person was also authoritative and well-respected in their respective fields. After all, spots were limited and each country only received a few spots to divide among universities, research centers, and scientific research institutions. Even to save their face, it would be foolish to send a nobody.
The flow of the experiment was carried out in the order agreed upon.
The entire specimen was strictly enclosed in the isolation room, and all members must wear protective clothing when sampling or experimenting in the room. Only one person was to enter the lab at any time with at most one assistant. No items in the lab were to be removed and all apparatus were to be destroyed after the experiment.
This strict policy was due to the uncertainty of the Devil Worm's body carrying viruses, bacteria, or microorganisms that may threaten the ecosystem on Earth.
It was not a joke.
No one knew if the species that "traveled" through time three billion years ago possessed any obscure traits. Maybe bacteria in its intestines that facilitated digestion would be a biological weapon on Earth that could completely wipe out an endangered species.
In short, the experiment began under strict rules.
The first subject to be studied was its blood.
"... its blood is highly corrosive, and it contains an organic acid that we have never seen before... unbelievable, it is more corrosive than trifluoromethanesulfonic acid!" As he examined the data displayed, Chemist Verdell Taylor from Frankberg exclaimed.
There were shocked voices when they heard the words through the speaker.
It was well known that trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is almost the strongest organic acid known. Not only was it widely used in medicine and chemicals. It could replace traditional sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and other traditional inorganic acids in many occasions to optimize and improve the process!
However, after the organic acid in the blood of Devil Worm was separated and purified, it was even more corrosive than trifluoromethanesulfonic acid!
This discovery alone was enough to have a substantial impact on the chemical industry. In the foreseeable future, after this news gets released, the chemical companies around the world would use every means they could to learn about the chemical formula of this new type of organic acid, and then research its application and production methods.
The fervor in everyone's eyes suddenly grew brighter.
Just then, a biologist from Russia spoke out.
"What name should we give to this acid?"
The room was silent, to the point where one could hear a single needle drop on the ground.
This sentence made everyone, including Verdell Taylor in the isolation room, silent. The way everyone looked at the test tube was different.
According to the rules of the scientific community, in general, whoever made the discovery received the naming rights. However, there were more than 50 scientists in this lab. They were all participating in the experiment, and all possessed a significant influence in the international scientific community.
If the acid was named Taylor Acid just because Verdell Taylor conducted the acidity test, the scientists would be not be convinced.
Separation, purification, and measurement of pH, any one of their students could have done that!
Verdell Taylor, in his protective clothing, apparently realized this. He looked at Jiang Chen outside the room and wisely kicked the ball to the top dog. Effectively removing himself from the jealous and unconvinced gazes from his peers.
"I think we should ask Celestial Trade for its opinion, after all, they found and collected the specimen..."
This proposal barely got the nod of approval from the scientists.
They also realized that it was a difficult problem to solve. Whoever receiving the naming rights would offend everyone else.
"I agree."
"You're right. Celestial Trade discovered it after all."
"No comments."
Jiang Chen took a moment to process while he was under the watch of the scientists around the room.
He was just there. What kind of opinion could he have?
However, since others have asked this question, he decided to respect them. He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, and then said.
"Let's call it Devil Acid, as for the patent... give it to the Earth Defense Alliance Foundation."
"..."
Jiang Chen's words silenced all the scientists, and they all simultaneously sighed in helplessness.
This was a chance to win the Nobel Prize and be remembered in history, but the name ended by being... um, so sloppy.
People say that Celestial Trade's president did not have the best taste in names, it certainly showed today.
However, unlike those scientists who were sighing in grief, Jiang Chen was quite pleased with his name.
Is formic acid not called formic acid? That's the same idea. The thing that the Devil Worm has should be called Devil Acid right? After all, at least it donated its blood. Give it some respect.
As for Nobel Prize, a mark in history?
Jiang Chen thought that if all things went smoothly, his legendary life would leave a mark in history. Once he led the Earth Fleet to destroy Harmony's Colonization Ship, then force it to seek for mercy... he would definitely win the Nobel Peace Prize.
As for the patent, it would be worth a lot of money. However, since he already owned so many assets, it did not matter in the grand scheme of things. Moreover, the majority of the Earth Defence Alliance funding went to Celestial Trade and Future Heavy Industries.
His thought process was on a different wavelength compared to those in research.
The experiment continued.
Jiang Chen originally thought that one breakthrough discovery was great. He didn't expect exclamations from the isolation room would come one after another.
"It's incredible! This blood cell morphology has completely refreshed my understanding of biology... It can complete life activities in such an extreme acid-alkaline environment!"
"Its blood vessels can block hydrogen ions from entering tissue cells, but it doesn't interfere with the exchange of blood cells to the blood vessel. It's impossible... it's too unscientific!"
"Let me take a sample again! Just once! I just found something incredibly important! This is what I have been studying! I need to—"
"Hurry up! That subject is over. No matter what you found, go to the back of the line!"
"Yes! Don't waste everyone's time!"
"..."
Jiang Chen looked at the zealous scientists and was quite dumbfounded.
Where did their dignity go?
Courtesy?
The face of a true expert?
Yesterday when they had the seminar, they were all respectful. After they saw the specimen, they completed changed.
Jiang Chen did not know that for a scientist in the science community, courtesy and respect meant nothing in front of breakthrough discoveries that could trigger an earthquake in the academic world! Many of them were already stalling in their research, but the ancient creature from Mars 3. 7 billion years ago opened a new world for them, just like a new skill in the martial arts world.
Courtesy? Dignity? What are those?
Jiang Chen was the most surprised that the "worm" he tossed out, intending to please his allies, would turn out to be something different.
It seemed... It seemed to be the discovery of a New World?
So, he did not toss out a worm, but a treasure.
Looking at the animated scientists, Jiang Chen did not know whether to cry or laugh...
| ← Ch. 1240 | Ch. 1242 → |