The ginkgo leaves slowly fall along with the Suzaku Street, leaving the most beautiful scene in late autumn for pedestrians.

However, after the corn was picked, Li Kuan was immediately invited by Li Yan to confirm the new achievements in the rubber research institute separated from the Steam Engine Research Institute of Guanshishan Academy.

"Prince, this rubber, we found that it not only has good sealing performance, but also has its own unique features in shock absorption.

Near the cylinder of the steam engine, we have made several special rubber shock absorbing pads, which can greatly reduce the vibration during the steam engine working.

After discovering this feature, the Rubber Research Institute began to organize a group of manpower to specifically study the shock absorption performance of rubber to see how to improve the performance of rubber after vulcanization and processing.

One of the students named Michelin asked whether they could use rubber to make bicycle wheels or four-wheeled carriage wheels.

I thought this idea was very good, so I bought a few bicycles to do the experiment, and tried to change the wheels of the four-wheeled carriage from the Steam Engine Research Institute.

Not to mention, the wheels made of rubber have increased the shock absorption effect by several levels at once.”

Li Yan was quite excited and explained the latest achievements of the Rubber Research Institute.

Although the use of rubber was initially under the guidance of Li Kuan and entered the Steam Engine Research Institute.

But now this achievement was discovered by the real Rubber Research Institute itself.

No wonder Li Yan has such a little thought of taking credit.

"Use rubber to make wheels? This idea is completely feasible."

The current four-wheeled carriages in Datang are all made of steel rings wrapped in cork, or even direct steel rings.

There are many problems in terms of shock absorption performance and anti-slip performance.

Fortunately, the speed is not particularly fast, and the problem in this aspect is not particularly obvious.

Later generations used rubber tires for bicycles and car wheels, and Li Kuan naturally knew about this situation.

However, I didn’t take the initiative to tell you before, mainly because rubber is too rare and too precious for the Tang Dynasty in this era.

If it hadn't been for the successful discovery of the Tang Dynasty to South America's route in the past two years, I don't know when this rubber would have appeared.

Even now, many adventurers have gone to Nanyang to purchase rubber, but the quantity is actually very limited.

At present, it mainly focuses on meeting the use needs of the Steam Engine Research Institute.

Of course, since the Rubber Research Institute has developed rubber tires, Li Kuan naturally won’t press it.

At worst, bicycles and four-wheeled carriages equipped with rubber tires are sold as high-end products.

The price of rubber is very expensive. At that time, it can directly double the price of a bicycle, or even quadruple it, which can always cover the increase in cost.

This can also stimulate everyone's enthusiasm for growing rubber in Southeast Asia and the passion for adventure in South America.

"That's it, Your Highness, you also think it's feasible to use rubber to make bicycles? I think although rubber is very expensive now, it's just the rubber harvested from trees. Once our Tang Dynasty also introduces rubber for large-scale planting, the price will definitely drop.

At that time, it will be the time when rubber wheels are popularized on a large scale. Now we will conduct research first and use them on some luxury four-wheeled carriages and luxury bicycles. It should be very promising."

Behind Li Yan, Michelin, the inventor of rubber wheels, was quite excited when he heard Li Kuan's affirmative reply.

"You're Michelin, are you?"

In the research institute of Guanshishan Academy, the atmosphere is relatively free.

If the students talk directly to Li Kuan, no one will find it particularly abrupt.

"Yes, Your Highness, King of Chu, I think the potential of rubber is very huge. Whether it is used as a seal, as a shock absorber, or other purposes, I think it is worth studying.

Even Guanshishan Academy of Physical Sciences, or the School of Chemistry, can set up a special major to study rubber planting, processing and performance research.”

Michelin looked at Li Kuan with admiration on his face.

A good research direction is definitely a very important thing for a researcher.

Obviously, Michelin thinks rubber is a direction worth studying for a lifetime.

He even felt that one day, he might be able to win the Royal Science and Technology Award in the Tang Dynasty with his research on rubber.

"Well, your suggestion is good. The Agricultural College can include rubber tree planting in the research scope and set up a rubber planting research institute in Yazhou.

The School of Chemical Technology can add a new rubber major, responsible for studying rubber vulcanization, rubber processing and rubber industrial production.”

It is rare that the people below are so active, so Li Kuan naturally won’t attack their enthusiasm.

As for the step that was slightly faster than I had imagined before, this was not a big problem.

Anyway, at this time he didn't think about directly making pneumatic tires such as radial tires.

Let’s take it step by step. Sooner or later, everyone will find that pneumatic tires have better results than solid tires.

Not only is the cost low, but the shock absorption performance is also better.

Reducing the cost of wheels and improving verification will definitely be an important research direction for the Rubber Research Institute in the future.

"Prince, during this period, I found that the Steam Engine Research Institute has more and more fields to study. In fact, many fields are worth setting up a special research institute for special research.

For example, the production process of the cylinder block and other parts of the steam engine cylinder involves various surface treatments.

In some parts, we need to consider how to improve the wear resistance of parts, while in other parts, the anti-corrosion performance needs to be considered.

Maybe when we reach another part, we have different demands on the hardness of the surface of the part.

However, it is impossible for our Steam Engine Research Institute to do all the details, so it is also necessary to set up a surface treatment technology research institute separately.

In addition, for large-scale production of steam engines, many parts need to be made using molds, so as to greatly improve production efficiency.

However, how to make and produce molds to meet the requirements to the greatest extent and reduce costs. There are many places worth studying, so it is also necessary to set up a mold research institute…”

Taking advantage of Li Kuan's opportunity to come over to inspect, Li Yan carefully mentioned his request.

Guanshishan Academy is now following the path of encouraging the establishment of various research institutes, but for a single research institute, if the scale is too large, it will be continuously split.

Li Yan is naturally very clear about this situation.

"No problem. If you draw up a charter, you will add a new research institute according to the classification you mentioned."

Li Kuan, who knows the importance of basic scientific research, naturally will not object to Li Yan's proposal.

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Chapter completed!