Miriel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
sciencewizard) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
capitalchan2014-04-10 12:43 pm
sciencewizard) wrote in capitalchan2014-04-10 12:43 pm
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email to baelheit, backdated to february 17th
Dr. Baelheit,
I have made progress on the synthetic energon formula. It remains incomplete, but the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit into place. Unsurprisingly, the elements involved are unusual – some are entirely unfamiliar to me. The molecular structure of what has been completed of the formula seems equally unusual and unfamiliar. I have not learned so much in so short a time since the beginning of my employment at Mintaka Industries. I am eager to continue work on this project; the final formula will undoubtedly be a fascinating feat of chemistry.
The specifics of my progress are outlined in the document attached to this email. As always, your insight, should you find a need to provide it, is valuable and appreciated.
Dr. Frost
[Sure enough, there's an attachment labelled "SE Formula 1.1". Chock full of very scientific language, it has various notes comparing formula versions 1.0 and 1.1 and summarizing the points of refinement.]
I have made progress on the synthetic energon formula. It remains incomplete, but the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit into place. Unsurprisingly, the elements involved are unusual – some are entirely unfamiliar to me. The molecular structure of what has been completed of the formula seems equally unusual and unfamiliar. I have not learned so much in so short a time since the beginning of my employment at Mintaka Industries. I am eager to continue work on this project; the final formula will undoubtedly be a fascinating feat of chemistry.
The specifics of my progress are outlined in the document attached to this email. As always, your insight, should you find a need to provide it, is valuable and appreciated.
Dr. Frost
[Sure enough, there's an attachment labelled "SE Formula 1.1". Chock full of very scientific language, it has various notes comparing formula versions 1.0 and 1.1 and summarizing the points of refinement.]
no subject
This is promising progress indeed -- far more than I hoped to reach within the first week of study. It seems your move to the head of Cybernetics was a sound one indeed. I'm glad you accepted the offer.
Perhaps it would be useful to study the plasma chirality in the energon samples we already have. Certainly this will lend some insights as to the unusual structure. I believe I made some relevant observations when I ran my first round of tests.
[ Attached is a lengthy document with his findings. He is extremely pleased, Miriel. ]
no subject
Thank you. Your observations have unquestionably helped clarify the unusual structural qualities. In addition, I noted that the polarity of certain atom clusters seems to be playing a structural role related to the weak bonds – not unlike the way it does in more familiar molecules. Perhaps this information should not be surprising, but I find the fundamental similarities and differences between molecular formulas known by human science and this one to be quite intriguing.
There have been no significant enough breakthroughs in the formula research since my last message to warrant another document attachment, though I expect that will change soon enough.
Dr. Frost
no subject
I thought you'd like to know that I ran the samples from the recent operation on Commander Starscream through the mass spectrometer and the results came back this morning. It seems that the degree of modulated polarity shift that occurs in circulated energon has to do with what stage of metabolic processing it's in -- a process not unlike the oxygenation of the blood in human beings, although in Cybertronian metabolic systems it prepares the energon for internal consumption via some kind of controlled combustion reaction. I've attached an analysis of my findings, but I'd appreciate your insight on this matter as well.
I feel that if we can solve for the variable in the modulated polarity shift, we may be very close to having a formula we can synthesize from.
no subject
Fascinating...After reviewing your findings, I agree that there is undeniably a correlation between the energon's metabolic processing stage and the variation in the modulated polarity shift. It appears that the closer the energon is to reaching the combustion stage, the higher the modulated polarity shift is. This may be because the energon is reacting to the increasing pressure of the surrounding metabolic system.
I have done basic work, based on your analysis and the numbers within, on an equation designed to solve for the variable we seek. The equation is incomplete, or, rather, in need of refinement. The end result I calculated does not make sense within the parameters of the data, but I suspect that it is close.
Dr. Frost
[Miriel has attached her work on an almost comically complex equation. There are notes on the sides outlining problem areas.]
no subject
I have taken the time to look over your notes, and I must congratulate you on some truly impressive work thus far. I'm truly glad you decided to accept the position in Cybernetics -- this is where your brilliance is most useful, by far.
I've taken the liberty of adding some notes of my own -- perhaps these will help make sense of the process. I believe the key issue lies in accounting for the gamma fluctuations in the molecular structure -- I ran some results and they seem to hold, but I'd prefer it if you verified my findings. I trust your expertise on the matter.
We're close, Dr. Frost -- very close. If we can correctly solve for the variable and account for the modulated polarity shift, we may even have a working formula for synthesis.
Dr. Baelheit
no subject
Dr. Baelheit,
We may have come upon a breakthrough in the formula completion process.
As you can see, I first modified the formula according to the suggestions you offered. However, the results, when viewed in terms of the formula itself, only barely lacked the fluidity necessary to account for the degree of modulated polarity shift. Upon adding an extra variable which seemingly neither of us had previously considered – lanthanide contractions, interestingly enough – the numbers began to make sense. My results from this attempt fit into the rest of the formula with ease, as far as I am able to tell. My attached analysis expounds on the details of what I have found.
It is of importance that this be thoroughly reviewed before we allow ourselves excessive excitement. Should it prove to truly be the key to completing the formula, we will have little further work to do, if any. At that point, any quantity of excitement will be a safe and logical reaction.
Dr. Frost
no subject
This is excellent news. Lanthanide contractions...I wouldn't have thought to take it in that direction. Well done, Dr. Frost, very well done. This is a considerable breakthrough indeed.
But you are right -- our work must be rigorously reviewed and tested. Perhaps we should perform some simulations to detect any lingering inconsistencies in the formula. After that, I think we should be ready for a test run. We are very close to synthesis here.
Dr. Baelheit
no subject
I have performed multiple simulations on the formula since receiving your e-mail, and I have corrected the few inconsistencies which appeared. I believe it is ready for the test run, but perhaps you should run your own simulations in order to ensure that formula's stability is at maximum. We do not know which possible accidents the testing of an incomplete or unstable synthetic energon formula could cause, as this is unprecedented for humanity. It seems most prudent to be cautious.
Here is the current version of the formula, complete with notes regarding the inconsistencies I mentioned.
Dr. Frost
no subject
I commend you on your steadfast adherence to being as thorough as possible. Others would jump ahead to immediate synthesis, too eager to prove their hypotheses... Your methodical inclinations are one of many reasons I asked you to head the Cybernetics Division. I am glad to see that my confidence was well-placed.
I have seen to the simulations, and after a thorough dissection of your notes, I think we're ready for a material test run. I have scheduled use of the hot labs on B-2 this week for our first attempt at producing synthetic energon. No doubt it will be the first of many tests, but this is a big day for Mintaka Industries nonetheless.
Dr. Baelheit
no subject
The test run was a success, as anticipated, and there were no laboratory accidents of which to speak. The synthetic energon which we produced underwent many tests after its production, and every test indicated that the synthetic energon was stable and functional. The test results are attached to this email.
Should we schedule the next testing period for early next week, or sooner? We are quite near to our goal.
Dr. Frost
no subject
A successful test indeed. It exceeded even my expectations for an initial test run. I have reviewed the test results and I eagerly await our next test -- which I believe we should schedule as soon as possible. I know that the hot labs on B-2 are already booked by the Defense & Intelligence Research Division, but I should be able to clear out some lab space for our research as early as tomorrow. After all, this takes priority over most departments' activities.
We are on the brink of something truly incredible, Dr. Frost. If the rest of our tests are so successful, we will be ready for production.
Dr. Baelheit
no subject
You will be pleased to know that the results of this second test were as successful as those of the first. The synthetic energon was tested in a variety of conditions, and the results were more than satisfactory. Stability remained at an exceedingly safe number, fluidity levels allowed for the modulated polarity shift in practice as in theory, and, after thorough analysis, there were no inconsistencies or errors in the synthetic energon.
I will defer to your judgment on the matter of a third test, though I would feel comfortable commencing production now, based on the thoroughness of the testing and the success of the results. You may find the results and the corresponding analysis below.
Dr. Frost
no subject
Such successful tests are nearly unprecedented, and surely the product of your very careful and thorough research and work on this formula. Given your usual dedication to thorough testing standards, your recommendation carries quite a bit of weight. Considering the gravity of such a momentous breakthrough, and synthetic energon's various potential applications, I'll grant clearance for an initial production run. I have one project in particular that is in demand of it already. Please do keep me updated with your progress, and good work, Dr. Frost.
Dr. Baelheit