137 is an integer, but it does not refer to an integer.
To be more precise, it should be written as 137.03599976, a dimensionless number or quantity.
This number is also known as the "Fine-Structure Constant" or the "God Constant," commonly represented by the Greek letter alpha (α).
"The God Constant, more commonly referred to as the Machine Deity Constant nowadays."
"As a number representing the strength of electromagnetic interaction, it holds the secrets of the universe."
"Whether it's the Gu civilization, our Light-Winged civilization, the Kate civilization, the Dan Yan civilization, or the Purple Thorn civilization, every scholar who has explored the field of physics will discover this constant and be amazed by it."
"If there truly exists a fundamental constant in the universe, was this constant established by a being similar to the Machine Deities, and did this constant create the entire universe?"
"We have not only discovered the strength of electromagnetic interaction but also calculated the strengths of weak interaction, strong interaction, and gravitational interaction."
"Each constant leads to fascinating research topics that captivate scholars. Thirteen years ago, I started combining the Fine-Structure Constant with the Hodge Conjecture, hoping to create a unique geometric structure."
"This geometric structure can be formed by combining basic geometric elements into a complex one, and by using this structure, we can derive and amplify energy."
"I have been exploring this concept for a long time. The mysteries of mathematics are captivating, but they don't directly impact the Civilized Federation. Most citizens only care about practical matters. I shifted my focus to this field a long time ago, but now I realize that I may have taken too big of a step."
Physics and mathematics are closely related disciplines, but transitioning from one to the other and expecting to achieve great success is challenging.
Especially in the present era, the boundaries of each discipline are being pushed further and further.
For example, over ten thousand years ago, different fields of study were like diverging paths, each extending for 100 meters. Now, these paths have grown to 1000 meters. It's extremely difficult to even cover 100 meters in any one field, and reaching 1000 meters is a feat only accomplished by the most brilliant of geniuses with a touch of luck.
To switch paths and start anew, aiming to cover 100 meters, or even dreaming of reaching 1000 meters, is a bit of a pipe dream.
The Light-Winged scholar's research direction is closely related to the Hodge Conjecture, and he possesses exceptional mathematical abilities.
Additionally, due to their method of reproduction, offspring can retain the memories of their parents. This means that new generations of Light-Winged beings are born with the knowledge of their ancestors.
They are naturally gifted mathematicians, possessing extensive mathematical knowledge from the moment they are born and demonstrating remarkable mathematical talent. To use a metaphor, while others start from 0 and aim to reach 100 meters, the Light-Winged beings start at the 100-meter mark and strive for 1000 meters.
For this reason, Yan Xia is genuinely interested in the scholar's research.
Previously, through collaboration and research with the Light-Winged scholar, they had discovered the potential of energy isolation weapons, proving the high practical value of mathematics.
However, there are only so many geometric shapes in three-dimensional space. How can geometry be used to constrain and amplify electromagnetic energy?
Yan Xia voiced this question.
The Light-Winged scholar sighed, "That's precisely the challenge. Three-dimensional space imposes limitations in many ways."
"But since virtual particles exist in the microscopic realm, can we use them to construct a virtual geometric structure for energy?"
"Can we eliminate the shapes of the three-dimensional world and instead allow microscopic energy to follow a geometric path, thereby achieving amplification during the process?"
"My field of study is called Multi-Energy Application, which, as the name suggests, explores whether we can, in a short period after achieving nuclear fusion, further split, decay, or annihilate the fused particles to amplify energy."
The Light-Winged scholar explained his theory, captivating Yan Xia's attention.
Yan Xia gradually understood why the scholar was studying the Fine-Structure Constant.
His research encompassed not only the Fine-Structure Constant but also quantum electrodynamics.
Electrons interact with each other by exchanging photons. Can we use a geometric path to constrain photons, similar to optical fibers, and thereby control atomic energy conversion?
When an atom undergoes fission or fusion, it produces two atoms. These atoms, controlled by a geometric path, can be directed through a channel and then fused with other elements. The energy of fission and fusion is superimposed, resulting in increased energy output.
This secondary utilization might seem to violate the law of energy conservation at first glance.
However, according to the Light-Winged scholar's calculations, it surprisingly adheres to the law of energy conservation. The secondary utilization aims to superimpose more energy, not create new energy.
For instance, an object with a power of 1 watt releases 10 joules of energy in 10 seconds. With the Light-Winged scholar's application, the power can be increased to 2 watts, releasing the same 10 joules of energy in just 5 seconds.
This would shorten the time required for a warship to accelerate, significantly increase the explosive energy of bombs, and have various other applications.
When considered in this light, the technology doesn't seem overly powerful.
If a warship has an energy of 100 joules, is there a difference between slowly accelerating to its maximum speed and quickly reaching that speed?
At first glance, there might not seem to be a difference, but there is. The universe is not an absolute vacuum, which means there is friction. Friction implies that to maintain the same acceleration, the longer the acceleration time, the more energy is consumed per second.
There are also other energy-saving factors. Faster acceleration means savings in other areas, such as the energy used for cooling the engine, which is a significant expense in warships.
In Yan Xia's opinion, the Light-Winged scholar might be overstating the potential of his technology to increase warship speed.
Perhaps the scholar is not familiar with the current speed of Civilized Federation warships, as specialization is common in various fields.
Yan Xia asked Ella to calculate the potential increase in speed, and with her permissions, she directly accessed and analyzed the scholar's technology. The result was that it could increase the speed of existing spaceships by 42%.
This was assuming the technology was successfully implemented. In reality, the technology was still in the theoretical stage, and the proof was riddled with loopholes. It was no wonder that the Light-Winged scholar's work had not passed the review of the Math Machine Deity; it was akin to a poorly written article that would be immediately rejected by any reputable publication.
Compared to this scholar's research, Ella and some top scholars in the Civilized Federation had already been working on the problem of increasing warship speed.
After all, it was a top priority, and many leading companies were heavily investing in this area, pouring in as much as 300 trillion energy coins annually, a staggering amount.
It was mind-boggling to think that the entire Civilized Federation only earned 220 trillion energy coins per year.
Nevertheless, this exchange provided Yan Xia with fresh ideas. There was indeed a lot of potential in mathematical geometry, and he might consider studying mathematics in the future.
The more he learned, the more he felt his own insignificance and the vastness of knowledge.
"You learn until your last breath!"
The sightseeing spaceship took off, and the next destination was a star called the Great Horn, an orange giant.