Chapter 121: Starch_1

The person in charge of the "Green Grass Project" team was Qi Guanglu, who brought Jiang Yu directly to the lab.

As they walked toward the lab, Qi Guanglu said, beaming with joy, "The day I visited you, if it hadn't been for your extreme weakness, I would have told you the good news right then and there."

The excitement in Qi Guanglu's voice also affected Jiang Yu, who asked with a smile, "Which team made a breakthrough?"

"You might not expect it," said Qi Guanglu. "It was the fourth team!"

"They succeeded in creating artificial starch from carbon dioxide! This is definitely a feat that could rewrite the history of humanity!"

Jiang Yu certainly knew what this meant; the starch people consumed or used industrially had to be obtained through the cyclical growth of crops.

Artificial starch would be an alternative replacement for traditional agriculture!

And it was made from carbon dioxide, to boot, not to mention, this could definitely help humanity's struggling space industry!

Just imagine, carbon dioxide waste gas that needed filtering in space could actually be turned into edible starch!

That would be such an awesome ecological recycling system!

Jiang Yu excitedly gripped Qi Guanglu's hand, "Tell me more in detail!"

Qi Guanglu explained, "This project started in Tianjin, but the 'two years of frustration' brought it to a halt. Later, when there was a push to develop the aerospace industry, this project was shelved.

"After our assessment, we felt the project had high feasibility, so we included it in the fourth team.

"Sure enough, they didn't disappoint, and a technical breakthrough was achieved last year. After a year of continuous optimization, it's now completely ready for mass production."

Jiang Yu sighed, "Just blundering ahead with aerospace development is like crossing a log bridge. Look, a breakthrough in agriculture has saved so much trouble for the spacecraft's life support system.

"No one knows which seemingly insignificant technological breakthrough will bring great convenience to the space industry!"

Moved by Jiang Yu's remarks, the group arrived at the lab, where the researchers gave Jiang Yu a detailed introduction.

The chemical formula for starch is six carbons, ten hydrogens, and five oxygens. Chemically speaking, water plus carbon dioxide could make up starch.

So, starch is also called a polysaccharide and is a major source of energy humans get from food.

This is the theory, but no one's seen water and carbon dioxide mixed together and suddenly become starch.

Even in a simplified form, turning carbon dioxide and water into starch requires eleven steps and the use of microorganisms and chemical synthesis to accomplish.

After touring the facility, Jiang Yu gave a brief speech, thanking everyone for finding a new way forward for humanity's agriculture. He directly stated that this technology was no less significant than when humanity mastered farming skills.

It might well mark the beginning of a brand new era in agriculture!

Anyone could see how thrilled Jiang Yu was with the results; he chatted with the researchers all the way until lunchtime.

While having lunch with everyone, Jiang Yu asked about the progress of the mass production of artificial starch.

Qi Guanglu, however, let out a long sigh. "The future's biggest market for artificial starch might come from industry!"

Jiang Yu was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Qi Guanglu said, "After our results were released, there were immediate doubts about whether artificial starch could harm the human body.

"Even some so-called sinology masters have accused us of going against the natural order!

"We've conducted surveys, and interviewees have expressed concerns about consuming artificial starch!

"Even the space station's cooperation with us has been terminated due to the astronauts' opposition!"

Jiang Yu slammed the table, "Idiots! Idiots crowned with the mantle of sinology!"

Di Fengyi was startled; in his memory, Jiang Yu held sinology in high regard!

Jiang Yu continued, "Of all the good things in sinology to learn, they only pick up the dregs. Do they also say that since they can witness the growth of plants but can't see the synthesis of artificial starch, they believe artificial starch is harmful to humans?"

Qi Guanglu nodded. "Indeed, there have been similar remarks."

Jiang Yu scoffed, "I once listened to someone who styled themselves a sinology master, and he didn't believe in evolution because he had never seen a monkey in a park turn into a human!

"Such people truly are 'masters'—masters of the obsolete parts of sinology!"

With Jiang Yu's outburst, everyone at the table fell silent, like cicadas in winter. Unbeknownst to them, Jiang Yu's presence had already made itself felt.

Jiang Yu took a couple of deep breaths, finally managing to suppress his anger, "It's okay to rant, but if people like to be prejudiced, we'll fight fire with fire and get someone to do a little window dressing for our artificial starch.

"Boasting, right? Who can't do that!"

After reflecting for a moment, he added, "I'll also look for an opportunity to donate it on humanitarian grounds to those who can't get enough food, to start them off with artificial starch.

"We must push for quick mass production of this product. Even if it doesn't become a staple food, having the experience of mass production will be beneficial in times of crisis."

The researchers added, "We will also work to develop artificial starch with flavors of wheat, corn, rice, and others, in order to win over the public as soon as possible."

Jiang Yu nodded. "If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

In the afternoon, Qi Guanglu took Jiang Yu to visit the third team.

For five years, the third team had not made much progress, as the adhesive material caught in the sand had been researched for many years with no superior formula found.

Moreover, even if this material was incredibly useful, it wouldn't solve the fundamental problem of water scarcity.

However, in one experiment, this team accidentally produced an adhesive that could withstand both low and high temperatures.

This serendipitous discovery resolved the issue of emergency building materials for the "Moon City Project" team, such as using the Moon's soil as a foundation in certain areas of Moon City.

Constructing on the Moon was not like digging foundations on Earth, where one could simply dig a trench, lay bricks, and refill the trench with soil.

Since lunar soil couldn't retain moisture, digging and then refilling it would be pointless.

But with this adhesive, it had become convenient. Anywhere that required using the Moon's soil as a foundation, this adhesive could fill the space between Moon City's outer walls and the lunar soil base, making it functional.

However, the formula was still being improved, and practical application seemed some distance away.

Jiang Yu suggested with a smile, "Then let's simply move the third team to the 'Moon City Project' team. If their results are used, we can call them back."

The visit continued to the second team, which was responsible for figuring out a way to efficiently transport water.

This group was essentially theoretical, and in a small conference room, they reported to Jiang Yu their progress over the past five years.

The bubble water extraction Jiang Yu had spoken of before his hibernation was indeed tested by them.

But the results weren't that great.