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Research and Development (commonly called R&D or RnD) is the job of the Scientists. The department typically lies behind purple and grey doors. In the department typically exists a set of Lathe and R&D machines. Often you will see lockers with lab equipment in them.
R&D gameplay largely revolves around the acquisition and use of research points to gain new technologies for the station.
Point Generation
Research points can be acquired through a few different sources.
The most profitable form of point generation is Xenoarcheology, which is the process of analyzing and activating different randomly generated artifacts that can be found via events, salvage debris, and by ordering them from cargo. Most artifacts have more than one "Stimulus-Reaction" combination (known scientifically as Nodes), so make sure to scan and activate as many of them as you can before selling it to cargo, or keeping it around because its effects are cool enough to warrant keeping.
Another highly valuable source of research points is Anomalous Research. Most R&D departments come equipped with an Anomaly Generator, Anomalous Particle Emitters (A.P.E.) and Anomaly Vessels, which are used to spawn, interact with, and generate points from anomalies respectively. Anomalies can come in different forms, ranging from raging balls of pink-hot matter, to electrically-discharging motes of light, to radioactive gravity wells, so make sure to wear some protective gear while studying them.
Points can also be acquired through research disks, which can be found in maintenance, salvaged from space, or found on expeditions.
R&D System
The user interface of the R&D Console
In the R&D computer new technologies can be unlocked via points. To research a technology, click on it if it's in the Unlockable technologies column. Technologies in the Future technologies are locked behind others, requiring you to research a previous technology (in the Unlockable technologies column). Technologies in the Unlocked technologies section have already been researched.
Alternative Research
There is another method to research a technology, and that is using the Technology Disk Terminal. If there is no such console available within the station, it can be created after researching the Tier 1 Experimental Technology, "Alternative Research".
By spending 1000 research points, a technology disk would be dispensed, containing the recipe of a single random item (of any tier) for the lathes to fabricate. The random item ranges from a HAMTR Harness within the "Critter Mechs" technology, a redundant item you've already researched, to the highly-sought-after (and expensive) satchel of holding.
When used early into the round, it may reward the research department with end-tier items immediately at the cost of the primary research progress. This is essentially gambling with research points, so ensure that your department agrees with this plan. When used late into the round, it may grant the research department recipes of technologies that have been locked out of the direct research method of unlocking the technology.
The Protolathe is a machine capable of printing most of what you've researched. It can make things such from large beakers to microreactor batteries. Protolathes are mainly found at science but can (sometimes) be found in engineering or on salvage expeditions.
Industrial
Item
Crafting Cost
Research
Tier
Research Cost
High-capacity power cell
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Advanced Powercells
1
7,500
Mining drill
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Salvage Equipment
1
7,500
Grappling gun
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Welding gas mask
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Experimental welding tool
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Advanced Tools
2
10,000
Power drill
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Jaws of life
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Ore bag of holding
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Mass Excavation
2
12,500
Diamond tipped mining drill
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Handheld mass scanner
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Space Scanning
2
7,500
Holofan projector
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Advanced Atmospherics
2
7,500
Bag of holding
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Bluespace Storage
3
15,000
Satchel of holding
Duffelbag of holding
Microreactor power cell
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Portable Fission
3
10,000
Arsenal
Item
Research
Tier
Advanced remote signaller
Explosive Technology
1
Signal trigger
1
Voice trigger
1
Timer trigger
1
Flash payload
1
Explosive payload
1
Chemical payload
1
Proto-kinetic accelerator
Salvage Weapons
1
Svalinn laser pistol
Experimental Battery Ammo
3
Experimental
Item
Research
Tier
Node scanner
Basic XenoArcheology
1
G.O.R.I.L.L.A. gauntlet
Anomaly Core Harnessing
1
Anomaly locator
Basic Anomalous Research
1
Wide-spectrum anomaly locator
1
Magboots
Local Magnetism
1
Moon boots
1
Portable particle decelerator
Deterrence Technologies
2
Force field projector
2
C.H.I.M.P. handcannon
Advanced Anomaly Research
2
Quantum spin inverter
Quantum Leaping
3
Force gun
Gravity Manipulation
3
Tether gun
3
Civilian Services
Item
Research
Tier
Synthesizer
Advanced Entertainment
1
Advanced mop
Advanced Cleaning
2
Mega spray bottle
2
Spray nozzle
Advanced Spray
2
Backpack water tank
2
Astro-grass
Faux Astro-Tiles
2
Mowed astro-grass
2
Jungle astro-grass
2
Astro-ice
2
Astro-snow
2
Cryostasis beaker
Biochemical Stasis
2
Cryostasis syringe
2
Speed boots
Quantum Fiber Weaving
3
Bluespace beaker
Bluespace Chemistry
3
Bluespace syringe
3
Circuit Imprinter
The Circuit Imprinter is a machine capable of printing machine boards used for creating machines and computers. They require steel, glass and sometimes gold.
Machine boards can be inserted into a Machine Frame whilst electronics can be inserted into computers or other machines built with Construction.