Guide to Research and Development
Research & Development
- R&D (not to be confused with the RD) consists of scientists experimenting on individual objects found around the station by putting them in the Deconstructive Analyzer, which reverse-engineers and disintegrates the object. The Server Computer will allow you to then use the the technology from deconstructed objects to build more advanced and efficient versions of the original object, and even new tools such as laser cannons!
- Essentially this means that a scientist in this modern world doesn't actually have to know any of the concepts he's working with; it's all about melting things down and playing with the resulting toys! Ain't life grand?
Deconstruction
- Deconstruction is simple. Sync the Destructive Analyzer to the research computer if it's not synced, insert an item into it, and then use the computer. It will show you tech levels of the item. Items of same or higher tech level in a category will raise tech level of that category by 1. It is possible to eject items from the Deconstructive Analyzer.
- Experiment! Some technology on the station is so basic that the analyzer won't even bother with them, but things like bruise packs, flashbangs, and some of the odds and ends in your very lab will all work.
Tech categories
Materials Research
Development of new and improved materials.
Important category. Used very commonly. Can be upgraded to level 8, but you will probably stop at level 6.
Mech syringe guns can be made at robotics, and they get you to level 4. You can then wait until miners bring you goods, and research gold, then uranium, then either stop or build a diamond pickaxe and research it. Alternately, you could research an intelicard to get to level 5 if miners aren't bringing anything. Then you'd be able to build pico manipulators and super matter bins.
Engineering Research
Development of new and improved engineering techniques.
Not used commonly, but but important. Can be upgraded to 6. All items are unlocked at 4, some rarely used boards require 5.
Analyzer is commonly used to get to level 2. For level 3, mesons, mining drill and autolathe circut board can be used.
Plasma Research
Research into the mysterious substance colloqually known as plasma.
Not very useful. Can be upgraded to 4, but it's pointless. Level 3 is needed for a plasma cutter. Freezer/Heater, PACMAN and chem dispenser boards also require level 3. Essentially, there are only two ways to get it to 3: Use two plasma or use a flamethrower, then plasma.
Power Manipulation Technology
The various technologies behind the storage and generation of electicity.
Needed for power cells, capacitors and some lasers. Goes up to 7, but you'll be fine with 5, as no new items are unlocked beyond.
Capacitor then high-capacity battery get you to 3. Mining drill upgrades to 4.
'Blue-space' Research
Research into the sub-reality known as "blue-space".
It's quite isolated, but unlocks bluespace beakers at 2 and bags of holding at 4. Chemists would want those beakers, and everyone wants a bag.
It can theoretically be upgraded to 11, but you won't need more than 5 ever. If you don't plan to build teleportation hub boards, you only need 4. Tracking beakon is cheap and gets tech to 2.
Biological Technology
Research into the deeper mysteries of life and organic substances.
Overall, not very useful, though level 3 unlocks boards for medical equipment. Level 3 also unlocks floral somatoray, which is very useful for botanists.
It can be upgraded to 8 if you somehow get a lot of alien brains. Mech syringe guns can get you to level 5, and that's the most you'll ever need.
Combat Systems Research
The development of offensive and defensive systems.
As the name suggests, unlocks various weapons, as well as security hud at level 2 and large grenade cases at level 3. You also need level 2 for gygax and durand construction.
This category is tricky to research. Toolbox in the R&D room is a common choice for level 2. Death nettle can push you to 4 if you get it from botanist. Otherwise, you'll have to discuss it with security to get weapons, then unlock lockboxes.
Electromagnetic Spectrum Research
Research into the electromagnetic spectrum. No clue how they actually work, though.
Used in micro-lasers, scanning modules and various items. Useful up to 5.
Analyzer gets you to 2. Mech syringe guns get you to 5.
Data Theory Research
The development of new computer and artificial intelligence and data storage systems.
Used for all but one circut boards. Intelicard requires 4, some items require 2. Requirements for boards go up to 4, except Messaging Monitor Console board that requires 5.
Mech syringe gun gets you to 4. If you want to go further, make a circut board or use intelicard.
Illegal Technologies Research
The study of technologies that violate Nanotrassen regulations.
Level 2 is needed for T.Y.R.A.N.T. AI module. That's it.
There are many items that can be researched, they are mostly traitor items. If you have somehow got your hands on a traitor item, destroying it for useless research is probably not the best idea. You can retrieve a suspicious looking toolbox from Derelict.
Table of researchable items
Icon | Item | Materials | Engineering | Plasma | Power | Bluespace | Biological | Combat | EMP | Data | Illegal |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legcuffs | 1 | ||||||||||
Syntiflesh | 2 | ||||||||||
Hatchet | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Scythe | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Console screen | 1 | ||||||||||
Capacitor | 1 | ||||||||||
Scanning module | 1 | ||||||||||
Micro-manipulator | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Micro-laser | 1 | ||||||||||
Matter bin | 1 | ||||||||||
Advanced capacitor | 3 | ||||||||||
Advanced scanning module | 3 | ||||||||||
Nano-manipulator | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
High-power micro-laser | 3 | ||||||||||
Advanced matter bin | |||||||||||
Super capacitor | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
Phasic scanning module | 5 | ||||||||||
Pico-manipulator | 5 | 2 | |||||||||
Ultra-high-power micro-laser | 5 | ||||||||||
Super matter bin | 5 | ||||||||||
Subspace ansible | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Hyperwave filter | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Subspace amplifier | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Subspace treatment disk | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||||
Wavelength analyzer | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Ansible crystal | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
Subspace transmitter | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Soulstone | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
Any circuit board not listed | 2 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Turbine Computer) | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Telescience Console) | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Message Monitor) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (AI core) | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Circuit board (AI Upload) | 4 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Cyborg Upload) | 4 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (PanD.E.M.I.C. 2200) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (DNA Machine) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Communications) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Teleporter) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Robotics Control) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Cloning) | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Arcade Battle) | 1 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Solar Control) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Crew Monitoring Console) | 2 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Mech Bay Power Control Console) | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Supply shuttle console) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Operating Computer) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Telecommunications Monitor) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Telecommunications Server Monitor) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Telecommunications Traffic Control) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (AI Integrity Restorer) | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Booze-O-Mat Vendor) | 1 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (SMES) | 5 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Power Compressor) | 4 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Power Turbine) | 5 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Mechbay Recharger) | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Teleporter Hub) | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |||||||
Circuit board (Teleporter Station) | 4 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Telepad) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | |||||||
Circuit board (Sleeper) | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |||||||
Circuit board (Cryotube) | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Cooler/Heater) | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Biogenerator) | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Microwave) | 1 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Portable Chem Dispenser) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||||||
Circuit board (Destructive Analyzer) | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Autolathe) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Protolathe) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Circuit Imprinter) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circut board (PACMAN-type Generator) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | |||||||
Circut board (SUPERPACMAN-type Generator) | 4 | 4 | 3 | ||||||||
Circut board (PACMAN-type Generator) | 5 | 5 | 3 | ||||||||
Circuit board (R&D Server) | 3 | ||||||||||
Circuit board (Exosuit Fabricator) | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Clone Pod) | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Clone Scanner) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Cyborg Recharger) | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Subspace Receiver) | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Hub Mainframe) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Relay Mainframe) | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Circuit board (Bus Mainframe) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Processor Unit) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Telecommunication Server) | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Circuit board (Subspace Broadcaster) | 2 | 1 | 2 | ||||||||
Suspicious beacon | 1 | 7 | |||||||||
Bomb payload | 5 | 6 | |||||||||
Big red button | 2 | ||||||||||
Mounted sleeper [Mecha] | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Syringe gun [Mecha] | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |||||||
Diamond drill [Mecha] | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
Mounted RCD [Mecha] | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |||||||
Teleporter [Mecha] | 10 | ||||||||||
Wormhole generator [Mecha] | 3 | ||||||||||
Gravitational Catapult [Mecha] | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Armor booster module (Close Combat Weaponry) [Mecha] | 3 | ||||||||||
Armor booster module (Ranged Weaponry) [Mecha] | 4 | ||||||||||
Repair droid [Mecha] | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Energy relay [Mecha] | 4 | 2 | |||||||||
Plasma converter [Mecha] | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Exonuclear reactor [Mecha] | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
EZ-13 MK2 heavy pulse rifle [Mecha] | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||||||||
All other mecha weapons | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Exosuit tracking beakon | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
H.O.N.K. parts | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Ripley torso | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Ripley arms and legs | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Gygax torso | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Gygax head | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Gygax arms and legs | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
Gygax armour plates | 6 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||
Durand torso | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Durand head | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Durand arms and legs | 3 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
Durand armour plates | |||||||||||
Phason chassis | 7 | ||||||||||
Phason torso | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | |||||||
Phason head | 5 | 6 | 4 | ||||||||
Phason arms | 5 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Phason legs | 5 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Odysseus head | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Odysseus torso | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Odysseus arms and legs | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Ripley circut boards | 3 | ||||||||||
Circut board (Gygax Weapon Control and Targeting module) | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
Gygax non-weapon circuit boards | 4 | ||||||||||
Circut board (Durand Weapon Control and Targeting module) | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
Durand non-weapon circuit boards | 4 | ||||||||||
H.O.N.K. circuit boards | 4 | ||||||||||
Odysseus circuit boards | 3 | ||||||||||
Intelicard | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
"Chameleon-projector" | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
Flash and synthetic flash | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
EMP flashlight | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
Laser pointer | 2 | ||||||||||
Multitool | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
pAI card | 2 | ||||||||||
Power sink | 3 | 5 | |||||||||
Tracking beakon | 1 | ||||||||||
Syndicate encryption key/headset | 3 | ||||||||||
Binary encryption key/headset | 3 | ||||||||||
T-ray scanner | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Health analyzer | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Analyzer | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Mass-spectrometer | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Advanced mass-spectrometer | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Mind batterer | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Bruise pack | 1 | ||||||||||
Ointment | 1 | ||||||||||
Glass | 1 | ||||||||||
Reinforced glass | 1 | ||||||||||
Leather | 2 | ||||||||||
Diamond | 6 | ||||||||||
Uranium | 5 | ||||||||||
Solid plasma | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Gold | 4 | ||||||||||
Silver | 3 | ||||||||||
Bananium | 4 | ||||||||||
Metal | 1 | ||||||||||
Plasteel | 2 | ||||||||||
Wood | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Cloth | 2 | ||||||||||
Cardboard | 1 | ||||||||||
Grass tile | 1 | ||||||||||
Wood tile | 1 | ||||||||||
Airlock painter | 1 | ||||||||||
'Safeguard' AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'OneHuman' AI Module | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
'ProtectStation' AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'Quarantine' AI Module | 4 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
'OxygenIsToxicToHumans' AI Module | 4 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Freeform AI Module | 4 | 4 | |||||||||
'Reset' AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'Purge' AI Module | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
'Asimov' AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'Asimov++' Core AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'P.A.L.A.D.I.N.' Core AI Module | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
Custom Core AI Module | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
'T.Y.R.A.N.T.' Core AI Module | 6 | 3 | 2 | ||||||||
'Robocop' Core AI Module | 4 | ||||||||||
'Antimov' Core AI Module | 4 | ||||||||||
'Freeform' Core AI Module | 6 | 3 | |||||||||
Hacked AI Module | 6 | 3 | 7 | ||||||||
Cryptographic sequencer | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Agent card | 3 | ||||||||||
Match | 1 | ||||||||||
Plastic explosives | 2 | ||||||||||
Flamethrower | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Large chem grenade | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Classic EMP grenade | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Flashbang | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Viscerator delivery grenade | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Carp delivery grenade | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Syndicate minibomb | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||||||||
Handcuffs | 1 | ||||||||||
Kitchen knife | 1 | ||||||||||
Butcher's cleaver | 1 | ||||||||||
Energy axe | 3 | ||||||||||
Energy sword | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
Chain of command | 4 | ||||||||||
Power cell | 1 | ||||||||||
High-capacity power cell | 2 | ||||||||||
Super-capacity power cell | 5 | ||||||||||
Hyper-capacity power cell | 6 | ||||||||||
Potato battery | 1 | ||||||||||
Charged slime core [Yellow] | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Rapid-construction-device (RCD) | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Compressed matter cartridge | 2 | ||||||||||
Scroll of teleportation | 4 | ||||||||||
Lesser scroll of teleportation | 2 | ||||||||||
Riot shield | 2 | ||||||||||
Energy combat shield | 4 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
Singularity hammer | 4 | 5 | |||||||||
Mjolnir | 5 | 5 | |||||||||
Bag of holding | 4 | ||||||||||
Toolbox | 1 | ||||||||||
Suspicious looking toolbox | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Stun baton | 2 | ||||||||||
Locator [for implants] | 1 | ||||||||||
Hand tele | 3 | 1 | |||||||||
Wrench | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Wirecutters | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Welding tool | 1 | ||||||||||
Industrial welding tool | 2 | ||||||||||
Upgraded welding tool | 3 | ||||||||||
Experimental welder | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
Crowbar | 1 | ||||||||||
Dual energy sword | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
Assembly | 1 | ||||||||||
Igniter | 1 | ||||||||||
Infrared emitter | 2 | ||||||||||
Mouse trap | 1 | ||||||||||
Proximity sensor | 1 | ||||||||||
Remote signalling device | 1 | ||||||||||
Timer | 1 | ||||||||||
Voice analyzer | 1 | ||||||||||
Optical Meson Scanner | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Night Vision Goggles | 2 | ||||||||||
Optical Material Scanner | 3 | 3 | |||||||||
Optical Thermal Scanner | 3 | ||||||||||
Optical Meson Scanner [Syndicate item] | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
Medical HUD | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Security HUD | 2 | 3 | |||||||||
Weilding mask | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Gas mask [Syndicate item] | 4 | ||||||||||
Brown shoes [Syndicate item] | 3 | ||||||||||
Chameleon jumpsuit | 3 | ||||||||||
Bluespace tomato seeds | 3 | ||||||||||
Gatfruit seeds | 3 | ||||||||||
Log | 1 | ||||||||||
Nettle | 1 | ||||||||||
Death nettle | 3 | ||||||||||
Plant analyzer | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Pickaxe | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Silver pickaxe | 3 | ||||||||||
Mining drill | 2 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Sonic jackhammer | 3 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Golden pickaxe | 4 | ||||||||||
Plasma cutter | 4 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Diamond pickaxe | 6 | 4 | |||||||||
Diamond mining drill | 6 | 5 | 4 | ||||||||
Shovel | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Uranium ore | 5 | ||||||||||
Iron ore | 1 | ||||||||||
Sand | 1 | ||||||||||
Plasma ore | 2 | ||||||||||
Silver ore | 3 | ||||||||||
Gold ore | 4 | ||||||||||
Diamon ore | 6 | ||||||||||
Bananium ore | 4 | ||||||||||
Brain | 3 | ||||||||||
Alien brain | 7 | ||||||||||
Man-Machine Interface | 3 | ||||||||||
Radio-enabled Man-Machine Interface | 4 | ||||||||||
Slime core | 4 | ||||||||||
Slime egg | 4 | ||||||||||
Pen [Syndicate item] | 2 | 5 | |||||||||
Ammunition box (9mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Ammunition box (10mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Ammunition box (.45) | 2 | ||||||||||
Ammunition box (12mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Magazine (9mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Magazine (10mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Magazine (12mm) | 2 | ||||||||||
Magazine (.50ae) | 2 | ||||||||||
Magazine (.75) | 2 | ||||||||||
Laser gun | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Laser cannon | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||
Xray laser gun | 3 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
Laser tag gun | 1 | 2 | |||||||||
Energy gun | 3 | 2 | |||||||||
Advanced energy gun | 5 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Ion rifle | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Biological demolecularisor [Decloner] | 4 | 3 | 5 | ||||||||
Floral somatoray | 2 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Stun revolver | 3 | 2 | 3 | ||||||||
Energy crossbow | 2 | 2 | 5 | ||||||||
Temperature gun | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | |||||||
Submachine gun | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Uzi | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||
C-20r SMG | 2 | 5 | 8 | ||||||||
L6 SAW | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||
Tommy gun | 1 | 5 | 2 | ||||||||
Silenced pistol | 2 | 2 | 8 | ||||||||
Gyropistol | 3 | ||||||||||
Stechkin pistol | 2 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Detective revolver | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Mateba | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Russian Revolver | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Shotgun | 2 | 4 | |||||||||
Combat shotgun | 2 | 5 | |||||||||
Double-barreled shotgun | 1 | 3 | |||||||||
Projectile gun | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Chem sprayer | 3 | 3 | 3 | ||||||||
Retractor | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Hemostat | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Cautery | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Surgical drill | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Scalpel | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Circular saw | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Surgical drapes | 1 | ||||||||||
Bluespace crystal | 3 | 4 | |||||||||
Artificial bluespace crystal | 2 | ||||||||||
Global positioning system | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Telepad beakon | 3 | ||||||||||
Icon | Item | Materials | Engineering | Plasma | Power | Bluespace | Biological | Combat | EMP | Data | Illegal |
Construction
- This is where advanced technology you discovered by increasing tech trees will be made. Nothing exciting at first can be built, but you will get increasingly more fun devices as tech trees increase. Some high tech items may malfuction every once in a while, but putting them back in the Analyzer will allow you to see what went wrong and fix the problem, creating a more efficient device. You will unlock items for Mech Fabricator as well.
Upgrading machines
Once you unlock advanced components, people around the station will probably want you to upgrade the machinery. The process is simple.
- Screwdriver on the machine
- Crowbar on the machine
- Take the board and re-insert it into machine
- Insert parts you want to use
- Screwdriver
Protolathe
- The Protolathe requires materials such as metal, glass and mineable minerals, each sheet gives 3750 units when inserted into a Protolathe. It allows you to build objects such as stock parts, mining equipment, power cells and many more. Weaponry can also be built but will be locked in a special lockbox until an ID with armory access or an emag is used on it.
- Decloner additionally requires 40 Unstable Mutagen
- See Research items.
Circuit Imprinter
- The Circuit Imprinter requires acid, glass and occasionally gold or diamond. With gold, you can make Law modules, or AI circuits types. Machine circuits such as mech suits and power generators can also be built.
- Information on how to construct machines is available at the Guide to advanced construction.
- Research required for each board