Chapter 160: Taking Down, the Application of Merkin

Many spectators originally thought that the auction would end at this point, but another bid refreshed their three views.

"600,000 energy coins!"

Everyone in the room took a deep breath.

Some explorers with rich knowledge in physics began to inquire about the nature of strange matter.

An expert explained, "The 'strange' in strange matter does not mean strange, but rather the 'strange' of strange quarks. This should make it easier for you to understand."

"Our ordinary matter is called atomic matter, usually containing up-quarks and down-quarks. When strange quarks are added, it becomes strange matter."

"In nature, strange matter is believed to be born only in the core of neutron stars because of the high pressure and extreme density, making it a condensed matter. As for the real application of strange matter, there are various opinions, after all, this is also the first time I've seen real strange matter."

"There's a hypothesis in the Federation that quark matter is the ground state of all matter, and all the matter we can see is in a metastable state. Eventually, all matter, even under normal pressure, will turn into strange matter. This hypothesis can also be called an assumption, and it comes from a human named Bodmer Witten, who is said to have existed for a very long time."

"There's also a hypothesis that strange matter can merge with any matter it comes into contact with, possessing the power to destroy the heavens and the earth. Of course, these are just speculations based on insufficient understanding of strange matter. According to current research, strange matter is a type of quark matter that combines strange quarks under high pressure. In my opinion, the real value of strange matter lies in its application in superconducting surfaces, not in the strange matter itself. Its extreme density may provide some help in atomic fusion."

Explorers are not usually physics illiterates. In the Federation, unless your individual strength is truly exceptional, you must have at least a university degree in physics, astronomy, chemistry, biology, or related fields to join an explorer team. Other qualifications come second.

Everyone knows the importance of atomic fusion.

There's a theory that strong force can arrange atoms more densely because it's the strongest of the four fundamental forces. However, strong force only acts within the atomic nucleus, with a range of 10^-15m, while the size of an atom can reach 10^-10m. The force's range is hundreds of times smaller than the size of the atom, making it impossible to create a normal dense structure. It can only create a giant atom or a dense structure with only the atomic nucleus and no electrons.

Only one thing can create a dense structure: a strong pressure that compresses all the atoms together.

Strange matter is born under strong pressure. Only when the density of matter under high pressure exceeds the critical density will strange quarks and the other three types of quarks (charm quarks, top quarks, and bottom quarks), which are heavier than strange quarks, be born.

Strange matter is very small, and its size can reach the femtometer level (10^-15m). This also means that the strong interaction force can affect it, and at the same time, it implies that strange matter can form a dense structure.

Just this value exceeds the 600,000 energy coins.

At this moment, Yan Xia once again shouted an unimaginable high price.

"1,000,000 energy coins!"

As a federal star, he could casually throw out a million, which was unimaginable.

"1,010,000 energy coins!"

"1,050,000 energy coins!"

However, other consortia were also bidding, and they seemed unwilling to give up.

Boda was stunned on the side. 1,000,000 energy coins was an unimaginable high price, and it was more than enough to directly buy 100 of them.

"Yan Xia, even if it's strange matter, it can't guarantee such a high value."

Yan Xia smiled at Boda.

"The physical properties of Merkin have already been conveyed to the federal high-level circles through various channels, and this is also the reason why so many consortia are participating in the auction."

"Boda, you don't understand the value of strange matter."

"Its research value is far higher than its application value. Don't forget, we are a level 2 civilization that controls the four fundamental forces. With the templates, we can create."

"The material we can create now is still essentially atomic, not fundamental particles. This limits our materials, and this is the key to fundamental particle material science."

Although strange matter has not yet been explored in the field of fundamental particle manufacturing, it is far more advanced than current atomic materials.

Before Boda could react, he heard Yan Xia shout out a decisive number.

"2,000,000 energy coins!"

A sense of suffocation filled the auction hall.

The consortia also closed their mouths.

Even they couldn't afford to spend such a large sum at once.

They knew that strange matter couldn't be used immediately, and further research investments of ten times or even hundreds of times the cost would be required. What they would obtain is only the first-hand application.

Once the product is out, it will be mastered by other companies within 100 years, so weighing the pros and cons, 2,000,000 energy coins is already beyond their limit.

"2,000,000 energy coins!"

"Is there a higher price than this?"

"2,000,000 energy coins once!"

"2,000,000 energy coins twice!"

"This is an unprecedented, unattainable, and unmatched offer. There's only one piece of strange matter in the Federation, and there's no more..."

"2,000,000 energy coins... three times! Hand it over!"

Yan Xia used his note-taking ability to directly take down Merkin.

He let Boda carry the machine to receive it.

Under Yan Xia's arrangement, Boda put the box obtained from the auction into their box, and then the internal nanorobots disassembled the box.

"What a crude preservation device."

Strange matter needs to be under high pressure to remain stable. Under normal pressure, it's even less stable than ordinary matter, so it requires special equipment.

Only after the strange matter was put in did Boda react.

"This is probably why ordinary matter can't form a dense structure."

"Even in a high-pressure situation, if ordinary matter doesn't convert into this strange matter, the size of the atom itself won't allow the strong force to work. But why didn't the Federation manufacture strange matter before, and instead, a scholar with a famous reputation took the lead?"

Boda was very curious about this.

Yan Xia replied, "The Federation has always been trying to manufacture strange matter, but the required high pressure is too strong. Even if it's manufactured, it's only a very small piece. What use is a piece of strange matter that's even smaller than an atom?"