"Do what you like until the world changes for you." According to media reports, a team of academicians Luo Jun of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, after nearly 30 years of hard work, has measured the most accurate value of the gravitational constant G so far. The research results are published in the Journal Nature. Small to microscopic particles, large enough to cosmos, are bound by universal gravitation. Accurate measurement of the gravitational constant G is of great significance not only in metrology, but also in physics.
The concept of gravitational constant, proposed by Newton hundreds of years ago, is now the most precise value found in a Chinese university's cavity. The media reported Luo Jun's team's scientific research deeds in the "gravitational wave" story in the cave. Since the 1980s, Luo Jun has been planning to build a gravity experimental center in the Yujiashan civil air defense cave of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The cave has small vibration and constant temperature, so it is suitable for gravity experiment. But staying in the cave for a long time has a great influence on human body. Luo Jun recalled that he had a cold and fever about once a month, and even had half face vitiligo when he was young. Decades of painstaking efforts and persistence have condensed into outstanding scientific research achievements, which have achieved catching up with the world's top level.
In fact, the measurement principle of gravitational constant has been very clear, and the key is to improve the accuracy of measurement. "It's the equivalent of putting a millionth of a grain of dust on the other end of a one-meter pole and measuring it." This is further on the edge of human imagination. Even the Journal Nature commented that the experiment was "a model of excellence in precision measurement". Breakthroughs in basic scientific research require imagination and abstract theory, as well as the ability to get close to the best results on the most microscopic scale. The measurement of gravitational constant shows that China's basic scientific research can make breakthroughs and make original contributions to the scientific development of mankind if we can sink our minds and persist in cultivating in the scientific world.
From a broader perspective, the breakthrough in the measurement of gravitational constants is a reflection of the continuous progress of China's overall scientific and technological level. When we look at China's scientific and technological strength, we should not be blindly arrogant, taken away by some "boastful style", nor be arrogant, totally negative of achievements, but should rationally and objectively look at the historical orientation of China's scientific and technological development. On the one hand, scientific and technological breakthroughs represented by quantum communications, manned space flight and high-speed rail technology represent a historic, integral and structural change in China's scientific and technological undertakings. On the other hand, China's development is still facing major technological bottlenecks, and the situation that key core technologies are subject to human beings has not been fundamentally changed. Generally speaking, China's scientific and technological strength is in an important period from the accumulation of quantity to the leap of quality, and the breakthrough of point to the promotion of system capability. The more this time, the more we need to inspire the enthusiasm of scientists and technicians.
The only way to innovate is to be human. Technological innovation is done by people. Marx said, "There is no royal road to science, and only those who do not dread the fatigue of climbing along the steep mountain path have the hope of reaching the summit of glory." Luo Jun's team measured the first constant of gravity in 1999, and published new results in 2009. To achieve today's highest accuracy, they did not end up in a single battle, but continued to iterate and transcend themselves over decades of persistence. "If I believe it is feasible, then it will be difficult to move mountains and reclaim seas, and eventually there will be a day of success; if I believe it is impossible, it will be easy to break a branch and have no effect." Like Luo Jun's team, we should build up the confidence and lofty feeling of innovation and show perseverance and tenacity. The vast number of scientific and technological workers can also open up territory in the realm of science, and support the national dream of building a world scientific and technological power with their own scientific dreams.
Innovation has always been a life of death, but we must have the pride of "being good with all our heart, even if we die without regret". "The most golden years of my life are here. I don't really care how much influence I can have, but I have done it, and I am satisfied with it. "The choice and perseverance of academician Luo Jun in this sentence deserves every person who is interested in technological innovation to savor it.
Source: People's daily