Research and Development

Research and Development

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.

R&D Tree

The R&D tree is the main focus of the R&D system. The R&D Tree system is composed of four categories: Industrial, Arsenal, Experimental, and Civilian Services. When accessing the R&D console you will get a choice of one node of each of the four categories.

The nodes are sorted into multiple tiers.

• Tier 1 has basic technologies.
• Tier 2 has moderately advanced technologies.
• Tier 3 has highly advanced technologies.

To advance from one tier to another you must purchase the majority of a single tier from a category before you can advance to the next. For example, buying the majority of the tier 1 Industrial category will advance you to the tier 2 industrial category.

You can research all nodes from each category until you research a tier 3 research from one category. Researching the tier 3 node from a category will lock you to that category as your "Main Discipline". It is possible to acquire multiple R&D servers but the game will only allow one Main Discipline per R&D server. Tier three research that is not your Main Discipline may also be acquired through gambling with the Technology Disk Terminal.

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.

Equipment

There are many different recipes that can be locked behind research. The Protolathe, Circuit Imprinter, Security Techfab, Medical Tecfab, and the Exosuit Fabricator are currently the only machines that directly benefit by gaining new recipes when you achieve certain research. The following section will only cover what recipes are unlocked through research, for a full list on what each machine can craft please check out the Protolathe, Circuit Imprinter, Security Techfab, Medical Tecfab, and Exosuit Fabricator pages.

Protolathe

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	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Powercells	1	7,500
Mining drill	Template:Item recipe	Salvage Equipment	1	7,500
Grappling gun	Template:Item recipe
Welding gas mask	Template:Item recipe
Experimental welding tool	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Tools	2	10,000
Power drill	Template:Item recipe
Jaws of life	Template:Item recipe
Ore bag of holding	Template:Item recipe	Mass Excavation	2	12,500
Diamond tipped mining drill	Template:Item recipe
Handheld mass scanner	Template:Item recipe	Space Scanning	2	7,500
Holofan projector	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Atmospherics	2	7,500
Bag of holding	Template:Item recipe	Bluespace Storage	3	15,000
Satchel of holding	Template:Item recipe
Duffelbag of holding	Template:Item recipe
Microreactor power cell	Template:Item recipe	Portable Fission	3	10,000

Arsenal

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Advanced remote signaller	Template:Item recipe	Explosive Technology	1	10,000
Signal trigger	Template:Item recipe
Voice trigger
Timer trigger
Flash payload	Template:Item recipe
Chemical payload	Template:Item recipe
Proto-kinetic accelerator	Template:Item recipe	Salvage Weapons	1	5,000
Svalinn laser pistol	Template:Item recipe	Experimental Battery Ammo	3	15,000

Experimental

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Node scanner	Template:Item recipe	Basic XenoArcheology	1	5,000
G.O.R.I.L.L.A. gauntlet	Template:Item recipe	Anomaly Core Harnessing	1	10,000
Anomaly locator	Template:Item recipe	Basic Anomalous Research	1	5,000
Wide-spectrum anomaly locator	Template:Item recipe
Magboots	Template:Item recipe	Local Magnetism	1	7,500
Moon boots	Template:Item recipe
Portable particle decelerator	Template:Item recipe	Deterrence Technologies	2	7,500
Force field projector	Template:Item recipe
C.H.I.M.P. handcannon	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Anomaly Research	2	10,000
Quantum spin inverter	Template:Item recipe	Quantum Leaping	3	10,000
WeaponTetherGun	Template:Item recipe	Gravity Manipulation	3	10,000
WeaponForceGun	Template:Item recipe

Civilian Services

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Synthesizer	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Entertainment	1	7,500
Advanced mop	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Cleaning	2	10,000
Mega spray bottle	Template:Item recipe
Spray nozzle	Template:Item recipe	Advanced Spray	2	10,000
Backpack water tank	Template:Item recipe
FloorTileItemAstroGrass	Template:Item recipe	Faux Astro-Tiles	2	5,000
Mowed astro-grass	Template:Item recipe
Jungle astro-grass	Template:Item recipe
Astro-ice	Template:Item recipe
Astro-snow	Template:Item recipe
Cryostasis beaker	Template:Item recipe	Biochemical Stasis	2	7,500
Cryostasis syringe	Template:Item recipe
Speed boots	Template:Item recipe	Quantum Fiber Weaving	3	10,000
Bluespace beaker	Template:Item recipe	Bluespace Chemistry	3	10,000
Bluespace syringe	Template:Item recipe

Circuit Imprinter

The Circuit Imprinter is a machine capable of printing machine boards used for creating machines and computers. They require steel, glass and gold.

Machine boards can be inserted into a Machine Frame whilst electronics can be inserted into computers or other machines built with Construction.

Industrial

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Ripley central control module	steel+glass+gold bar	Ripley APLU	1	7,500
Ripley peripherals control module
P.A.C.M.A.N.-type portable generator machine board	steel+glass	Power Generation	1	7,500
S.U.P.E.R.P.A.C.M.A.N.-type portable generator machine board
J.R.P.A.C.M.A.N.-type portable generator machine board
Power monitoring computer board	steel+glass
Solar control computer board
Emitter machine board
Solar tracker electronics	steel+glass
Hyper convection circuit imprinter machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Industrial Engineering	1	10,000
Hyper convection autolathe machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
Hyper convection protolathe machine board
Sheet-meister 2000 machine board	steel+glass
Flatpacker 1001 machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Mechanical Compression	1	10,000
Industrial ore processor machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Salvage Equipment	1	7,500
Freezer thermomachine machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Atmospherics	1	7,500
Gas recycler board	steel+glass
Turbo recharger machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Advanced Power Cells	1	7,500
Shuttle console board	steel+glass+gold bar	Shuttlecraft	2	10,000
Mini gravity generator machine board
Thruster machine board	steel+glass
Gyroscope machine board
Radar console computer board	steel+glass	Space Scanning	2	7,500
Hellfire freezer machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Advanced Atmospherics	2	7,500
Portable scrubber machine board

Arsenal

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
PTK-800 "Matter Dematerializer"	steel+glass	Salvage Weapons	1	5,000

Experimental

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Analysis computer board	steel+glass+gold bar	Basic XenoArcheology	1	5,000
Artifact analyzer machine board
A.P.E. machine board	steel+glass	Basic Anomalous Research	1	5,000
Anomaly vessel machine board
Exosuit fabricator machine board	steel+glass	Basic Robotics	1	5,000
Tech disk terminal board	steel+glass+gold bar	Alternative Research	1	5,000
Artifact crusher machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Artifact Recycling	2	5,000
Anomaly synchronizer machine board	steel+glass+silver bar	Advanced Anomaly Research	2	10,000
Experimental anomaly vessel machine board	steel+glass+gold bar

Civilian Services

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Seed extractor machine board	steel+glass	Basic Hydroponics	1	5,000
Hydroponics tray machine board
Industrial reagent grinder machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
Lipid extractor machine board	steel+glass	Meat Manipulation	1	7,500
Biocube fabricator machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
Biomass reclaimer machine board
HAMTR central control module	steel+glass+gold bar	Critter Mechs	1	7,500
HAMTR peripherals control module
Television board	steel+glass	Advanced Entertainment	1	7,500
Digital audio workstation machine board
News manager console board
Jukebox machine board
Surveillance camera router board	steel+glass	A/V Communication	1	5,000
Surveillance camera wireless router board
Movable wireless camera board
Wireless camera board
Surveillance camera monitor board
Surveillance wireless camera monitor board
Telecommunication server machine board
H.O.N.K. central control module	steel+glass+bananium	H.O.N.K. Mech	2	7,500
H.O.N.K. peripherals control module
H.O.N.K. weapon control and targeting module
Cargo telepad machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Bluespace Cargo Transport	2	15,000
Stasis bed machine board	steel+glass+gold bar	Biochemical Stasis	2	7,500
Cryo pod machine board

Exosuit Fabricator

The Exosuit Fabricator is a machine that is capable of crafting a large variety of Cyborg and Mech parts. The Exosuit Fabricator is a material hungry machine and can use gold bar, silver bar, steel, plastic, glass, and plasma. The Exosuit Fabricator is a vital part of Cyborg creation and many of the advanced pieces are stuck behind research.

Industrial

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
ripley harness	steel+glass	Ripley APLU	1	7,500
ripley left arm	steel+glass
ripley right arm
ripley left leg
ripley right leg
hydraulic clamp	steel+plastic
mining cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar	Salvage Equipment	1	7,500
grappling gun cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic
GPS cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic	Space Scanning	2	7,500
Advanced tool cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar	Advanced Tools	2	10,000
RCD cyborg module

Experimental

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
anomaly cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic	Basic Anomalous Research	1	5,000
artifact cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic	Basic XenoArcheology	1	5,000
proximity sensor	steel+glass	Basic Robotics	1	5,000

Civilian Services

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
gardening cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic	Basic Hydroponics	1	5,000
harvesting cyborg module
light replacer cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic	Robotic Cleanliness	1	5,000
advanced cleaning cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar	Advanced Entertainment	1	7,500
musique cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic
clowning cyborg module
HAMTR harness	steel+glass	Critter Mechs	1	7,500
HAMTR left arm	steel+glass
HAMTR right arm
HAMTR left leg
HAMTR right leg
small hydraulic clamp	steel+plastic
vim harness	steel+glass
advanced treatment cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar	Mechanized Treatment	2	5,000
defibrillator cyborg module	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar
H.O.N.K. harness	steel+glass+bananium	H.O.N.K. Mech	2	7,500
H.O.N.K. left arm
H.O.N.K. right arm
H.O.N.K. right armX
H.O.N.K. right leg
Mech horn	steel+bananium

Security Techfab

Set deep within the security department sits the Security Techfab. The Security Techfab can use steel, plastic, glass, silver bar, gold bar, uranium, and plasma. Providing the Security Techfab with materials will allow you to produces, ammo, grenades, guns, and laser weapons. Given some research this machine can turn your armory into an arsenal of the most dangerous weapons you can get a hold of.

Arsenal

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
magazine (.20 rifle uranium)	steel+plastic+uranium	Uranium Munitions	1	7,500
pistol magazine (.35 auto uranium)	steel+plastic+uranium
magazine (.30 rifle uranium)	steel+plastic+uranium
speed loader (.45 magnum uranium)	steel+plastic+uranium
ammunition box (.35 auto uranium)	plastic+uranium
ammunition box (.45 magnum uranium)	plastic+uranium
ammunition box (.30 rifle uranium)	plastic+uranium
ammunition box (.20 rifle uranium)	plastic+uranium
shotgun uranium cartridges dispenser	plastic+uranium
truncheon	steel+plastic	Advanced Riot Control	1	8,000
telescopic shield	steel+glass
holobarrier projector	steel+glass+plastic
disabler SMG	steel+glass+plastic
laser rifle	steel+glass+gold bar	Weaponized Laser Manipulation	1	7,500
signal trigger	steel+plastic	Explosive Technology	1	10,000
voice trigger
timer trigger
flash payload	steel+plastic+glass
explosive payload	steel+plastic+glass+plasma+silver bar
magazine (.20 rifle incendiary)	steel+plastic	Draconic Munitions	1	10,000
pistol magazine (.35 auto incendiary)	steel+plastic
magazine (.30 rifle incendiary)	steel+plastic
speed loader (.45 magnum incendiary)	steel+plastic
ammunition box (.35 auto incendiary)	plastic
ammunition box (.45 magnum incendiary)	plastic
ammunition box (.30 rifle incendiary)	plastic
ammunition box (.20 rifle incendiary)	plastic
shotgun incendiary cartridges dispenser	steel+plastic
ammo drum (.50 incendiary)	steel+plastic
electropack	steel+plastic+cloth	Special Means	1	5,000
ammo drum (.50 beanbags)	steel+plastic	Nonlethal Ammunition	1	5,000
tranquilizer cartridges dispenser	plastic+steel+glass+plasma+silver bar
shotgun beanbag cartridges dispenser	steel+plastic
disabler	steel+glass+plastic
laser cannon	steel+plastic+gold bar	Concentrated Laser Weaponry	2	10,000
x-ray cannon	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar	Wave Particle Harnessing	2	10,000
small-capacity power cage	steel+plastic	Shuttle Basic Armament	2	10,500
medium-capacity power cage	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar
grenade cartridge	steel+plastic
flash grenade	steel+plastic+glass
blast grenade	steel+plastic+gold bar
LSE-400c "Svalinn machine gun" machine board	steel+glass
LSE-1200c "Perforator" machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
EXP-320g "Friendship" machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
EMP grenade	steel+plastic+glass	Advanced Shuttle Weapons	3	15,000
high-capacity power cage	steel+glass+plastic+gold bar
EXP-2100g "Duster" machine board	steel+glass+gold bar
advanced laser pistol	steel+glass+gold bar	Portable Microfusion Weaponry	3	15,000
portable recharger	steel+uranium+plastic+plasma+glass

Medical Techfab

Anchored into the back of medical sits the Medical Techfab. The Medical Techfab can use steel, plastic, glass, cloth, plasma, and silver bar. A small amount of highly valuable items are acquired through the Medical Techfab through research.

Arsenal

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Chemical payload	steel+plastic	Explosive Technology	1	10,000

Civilian Services

Item	Crafting Cost	Research	Tier	Research Cost
Cryostasis beaker	steel+plastic	Biochemical Stasis	2	7,500
Cryostasis syringe	steel+plastic
Bluespace beaker	steel+plastic+plasma+silver bar	Bluespace Chemistry	3	10,000
Bluespace syringe	steel+plastic+glass+plasma+silver bar

Hyper Convection Machines

Hyper convection machine are a highly valuable upgrade that is obtained from the Industrial Engineering research node. Hyper convection machines will craft items at a 50% discount from the original cost. The trade-off when it comes to these powerful machines is that they produce an immense amount of heat. The heat that is produced from these machines can quickly become lethal if sufficient preparations are not made. One of the ways to make a safe enclosure for hyper convection machines is:

1. Un-wrench the machines and move the Protolathe, Autolathe, and Circuit Imprinter to the back wall. If there is a R&D Computer, move it out of the way.

   

2. Build a 2x3 box of directional reinforced window. At the middle-right side of the box create a windoor.

   

3. Create an air alarm and a air sensor. Place the air sensor within the box at the center right, and the air alarm nearby for convenience.

   

4. Create one (required) or two (optional) space heater at the top-right and bottom-right of the box.

   

   4a. Set the space heaters to have High energy consumption and make sure that they are On.

   

5. Either hack the air alarm or ask an engineer to help you with networking. To hack the air alarm we must first use a screwdriver on it to open the panel. When the panel is open use a wirecutter tool on the air alarm itself. The lights above refer to the wires below. The wire that we are looking to cut is the ACC wire. The ACC wire is what controls who is authorized to network and control the Air Alarm.

   

   5a. Cut the wires from left to right (by clicking on them with a wirecutter in hand) until you get the ACC light to turn off. You may get unlucky like I did and hit a power wire before the ACC wire, you will get shocked because of this. Skip the power wire and continue until you reach the ACC wire. Once you have found the ACC wire repair all other wires (by clicking on them with a wirecutter in hand) and leave the ACC wire cut. Close the panel on the air alarm with the screwdriver.

   

6. Use a multitool or a network configurator and click on the air sensor first, followed by the air alarm.

   

   6a. Click Add on the air alarm GUI and then close the GUI.

   

7. In a similar process, use a multitool or a network configurator and click on the windoor first, followed by the air alarm.

   

   7a. Click the Danger button and then click Close. Click on the Warning button and click Close. Finally, click the Normal button and then click Open. Then click the Done button.

   

8. Create the CircuitImprinterHyperConvectionMachineCircuitboard at the Circuit Imprinter. Create or gather 1 matter bin and 1 igniter. Use a screwdriver to open the panel on the Circuit Imprinter.

   

   8a. Use a crowbar to deconstruct the imprinter into a machine frame.

   

   8b. Use a crowbar again to remove the parts from the machine frame.

   

   8c. Remove the Circuit Imprinter machine board from the stack of items. Click on the machine frame while holding the hyper convection Circuit Imprinter machine board. Shift click the machine frame and fill it with the rest of the materials that it requires. (You should have all the materials if the previous steps were followed).

   

   8d. Screwdriver the machine frame to finish the construction. (If this does not work you are missing materials).
9. Repeat step 8 through 8d with the Protolathe and Autolathe machines.
10. Congratulations! You have built a hyper convection machines and a safe setup! Good work fellow scientist!

Troubleshooting

"I can't get any points/I can't print anything"

The likely cause is that the Lathe/Imprinter/Computer isn't synced up with the RD server.

To fix this in the Lathe/Imprinter/Computer click Server list, click on ID x || RDSERVER and then exit the window.