Through thick and thin, they have always been my precious team mates, advisers, and above all, friends.
我们同甘共苦,亲如伙伴,他们是我的军师,更是我的朋友。
But instruments far more delicate than that were needed if any really serious advance was to be made.
但是,如果要取得真正重大的进展,需要有比这种装置精细得多的仪器。