Compared to the family’s domain, Perfikot was more focused on the giant glass greenhouse before her.
Of course, calling it a glass greenhouse isn’t quite accurate, because the material used to build the greenhouse wasn’t glass.
It was only a transparent-looking material, derived from Langton’s research on Imaginary Alchemy, and also from Perfikot’s initial commission for research on thermal insulation materials. Thɪs chapter is updated by nοvelfire.net
Originally, the research institutions at those universities made very slow progress in researching thermal insulation materials, taking one or two years to present even remotely suitable results.
While this might not be a major issue for research purposes, as research is indeed not a one-step endeavor, constantly failing to produce satisfactory progress did cause dissatisfaction, making people feel unimpressed by them.
In fact, it wasn’t just the onlookers who thought these researchers were lacking; even the researchers themselves felt they weren’t doing well at all.
If Perfikot were still just an ordinary female Baron, their delays would be considered just regular research progress, and Perfikot wouldn’t say anything.
But now she is the Empire’s Count and the Lord of the Northern Territory, and this immense change in her status makes Perfikot’s influence entirely different.
Delays? Regular research progress? Do they think the Lord of the North is easy to deal with?
Even if Perfikot doesn’t express dissatisfaction publicly over this matter, just a hint of her discontent in certain occasions would immediately prompt someone to help her resolve the issue, all to gain her favor.
To the nobles of Langton, such actions are almost second nature, essentially their very means of survival.
Besides, they don’t need to do much; just convincing others not to continue funding those research institutions would suffice.
For these research institutions, the annual research funding is extremely limited.
Aside from university grants, they rely only on donations from various nobles and other forms of contributions.
If these resources are cut off, relying only on university financial allocations wouldn’t even cover the wages of the experimenters in the research institutions, let alone conduct research.
To put it bluntly, with the ability of Langton’s nobles, they can even persuade the universities where these research institutions are based to directly abolish these institutions, or frame and imprison those involved, or banish them to the Northern Territory as laborers.
Be aware, the Punishment Camp of the Northern Territory is now infamous on the Empire’s mainland, even regarded as a terror to stop children’s cries at night.
After all, entering the Punishment Camp could indeed lead to death.
So, with Perfikot’s research commissions being delayed for so long without results, this posed a significant issue for the research institutions.
Fortunately, with the emergence of Imaginary Alchemy, many materials previously existing only in theory or imagination began to appear one after another, and the development of cold-resistant materials commissioned by Perfikot to these research institutions finally made sufficient progress.
The transparent material used to construct the greenhouse before her was the response to Perfikot from these research institutions.
A special thermal insulation material with a light transmittance of over 99.8%, its thermal conductivity was extremely poor, with insulation effects measurable even in a vacuum.
Of course, thermal energy can still be transmitted in a vacuum, albeit slower than within a planetary atmosphere.
Yet these research institutions didn’t consider the vacuum aspect; instead, they utilized Imaginary Alchemy to create this material that virtually lacked thermal conductivity.
Despite this, such materials still have limitations; when temperatures drop below minus eighty degrees or when indoor-outdoor temperature differences exceed 100 degrees Celsius, even this material can’t withstand such massive temperature changes.
Nonetheless, this powerful insulation material has extremely broad application scenarios beyond just building greenhouses.
If this material could be widely adopted, it would serve as more advanced and useful military materials for Flying Airships and airplanes.
For the combat environment of Flying Airships and airplanes, this is quite important, especially for the future training of Flying Knights; for those who can soar into the skies, having an extra layer of insulation beats trembling due to cold while holding onto the control stick.
"Someone will naturally take charge in related research fields, so you don’t need to worry about these matters. With the support of Imaginary Alchemy, the Empire’s future is certain to become stronger and greater." A researcher stood beside Perfikot, seemingly intent on flattering her.
Perfikot couldn’t be bothered with such flattery, but at this moment, she still asked casually: "This material indeed has great potential; what is its design principle?"
"These materials were made using Imaginary Alchemy. Langton has an Alchemy Workshop focused on related businesses. During their research on Imaginary Alchemy, the craftsmen developed a special insulating glass to resist Langton’s summer sunlight and heat. After we communicated with them, it inspired us to develop this new material," the researcher quickly explained to Perfikot, elucidating the reason for the emergence of such newly developed materials.
"Oh? Since when does Langton have such an impressive Alchemy Workshop capable of developing such outstanding new materials through Imaginary Alchemy?" Perfikot clearly showed interest in this Alchemy Workshop, as she hadn’t heard of such a workshop during her time in Langton.
It’s not that Perfikot looked down on them, but they were limited by the constraints of past reality-bound alchemy practices, without sufficient knowledge of the world, unable to transform imagination into wings of fantasy, so Langton’s alchemists could only reach a certain level.
Like her parents, such powerful alchemists were always rare, as geniuses are forever solitary.
Upon hearing Perfikot’s curiosity, the researcher replied: "It’s a newly emerged Alchemy Workshop, all of whose members are women. They call themselves the Witch Workshop. In the past, they had little reputation, but with the advent of Imaginary Alchemy, they are now quite prominent in Langton."
"So, they are newcomers rising with Imaginary Alchemy; that explains it." Perfikot nodded in understanding.
"Countess, are you interested in them? When the school interacted with them before, they did express curiosity about you. If you’re willing to send them an invitation, I think they’d be happy to come to the Northern Territory." The researcher said, hoping that Perfikot would bring this Witch Workshop to the Northern Territory.
After all, such emerging workshops have been quite disruptive to traditional reality-based alchemy during this period in Langton.