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 Destructive 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?
Note that this guide is just mostly about what type of technology different items are. There are many, many ways to do R&D.
Deconstruction is done through the Destructive Analyzer:
Sync the Destructive Analyzer to the research computer if it's not synced.
Insert an item into it.
Use the computer.
The computer will 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 Destructive Analyzer.
Reliability
This is a nasty thing that will occasionally prevent you from analysing things you've built. Most items have it at 100, but some will have less. If the reliability is too low, you will not gain any tech from it. The items will also occasionally fail to work. You can upgrade Destructive Analyzer to make lower reliability available for research: it can work with reliability of 99 - 3 * rating, where rating is sum of part levels.
For example, DA with Pico Manipulator (level 3), High-Power Micro-Laser (level 2) and Advanced Scanning Module (level 2) can analyse items with reliability of 78: 99 - 3 * (3 + 2 + 2) = 78
Tech categories
Materials Research
Development of new and improved materials.
Important category. Used very commonly. The higher is the level, less material is used in mech fabricators. Can be upgraded to level 8.
Engineering Research
Development of new and improved engineering techniques.
Not used commonly, but important. Can be upgraded to 6. All items are unlocked at 4, some rarely used boards require 5.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Illegal Technologies Research
The study of technologies that violate Nanotrassen regulations.
Level 2 is needed for T.Y.R.A.N.T. AI module. Level 3 is needed for cyborg illegal equipment module upgrades. That's it.
Circuit board (Gygax Weapon Control and Targeting module)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
4
Gygax non-weapon circuit boards
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Circuit board (Durand Weapon Control and Targeting module)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
4
Durand non-weapon circuit boards
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
H.O.N.K. circuit boards
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Odysseus circuit boards
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Intellicard
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
4
Chameleon-projector
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
4
Flash and synthetic flash
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
2
EMP flashlight
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
5
Laser pointer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Multitool
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
pAI card
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Power sink
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
5
Tracking beacon
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Syndicate encryption key/headset
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Binary encryption key/headset
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
T-ray scanner
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Health analyzer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Analyzer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Mass-spectrometer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
Advanced mass-spectrometer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
4
Mind batterer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
3
3
Bruise pack
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Ointment
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Glass
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Reinforced glass
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Leather
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
Diamond
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
Uranium
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
Solid plasma
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Gold
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
Silver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
Bananium
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
Metal
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Plasteel
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
Wood
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Cardboard
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Grass tile
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Wood tile
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Airlock painter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
'Safeguard' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'OneHuman' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
'ProtectStation' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'Quarantine' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
2
3
'OxygenIsToxicToHumans' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
2
3
Freeform AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
4
'Reset' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'Purge' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
'Asimov' AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'Asimov++' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'P.A.L.A.D.I.N.' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
Custom Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
'T.Y.R.A.N.T.' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
2
'Robocop' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
'Antimov' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
'Freeform' Core AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
Hacked AI Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
3
7
Cryptographic sequencer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
Agent card
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Match
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Plastic explosives
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Flamethrower
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Large chem grenade
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
Classic EMP grenade
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
Flashbang
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
Viscerator delivery grenade
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
4
Carp delivery grenade
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
4
Syndicate minibomb
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
4
Handcuffs
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Kitchen knife
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Butcher's cleaver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Energy sword
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
4
Chain of command
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Power cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
High-capacity power cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Super-capacity power cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
5
Hyper-capacity power cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
6
Potato battery
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Charged slime core [Yellow]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
4
Rapid-construction-device (RCD)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
4
Compressed matter cartridge
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
Scroll of teleportation
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Lesser scroll of teleportation
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Riot shield
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
Energy combat shield
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
4
Singularity hammer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
5
Mjölnir
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
5
5
Bag of holding
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Toolbox
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Suspicious looking toolbox
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Stun baton
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Locator [for implants]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Hand tele
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
1
Wrench
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Wirecutters
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Welding tool
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Industrial welding tool
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Upgraded welding tool
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Experimental welder
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
3
Crowbar
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Dual energy sword
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
4
Igniter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Infrared emitter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Mousetrap
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Proximity sensor
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Remote signaling device
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Timer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Voice analyzer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Optical Meson Scanner
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
Night Vision Goggles
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Optical Material Scanner
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
3
Optical Thermal Scanner
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Optical Meson Scanner [Syndicate item]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
4
Medical HUD
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
3
HUDSunglasses
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
3
Welding mask
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Gas mask [Syndicate item]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Brown shoes [Syndicate item]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Chameleon jumpsuit
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Bluespace tomato seeds
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Gatfruit seeds
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Log
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Nettle
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Death nettle
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Plant analyzer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
1
Pickaxe
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Silver pickaxe
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
Mining drill
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
3
Sonic jackhammer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
2
Golden pickaxe
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
Plasma cutter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
3
Diamond pickaxe
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
4
Diamond mining drill
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
5
4
Shovel
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Uranium ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
Iron ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Sand
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
Plasma ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
Silver ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
Gold ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
Diamond ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
Bananium ore
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
Brain
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Alien brain
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
7
Man-Machine Interface
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Radio-enabled Man-Machine Interface
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Slime core
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Slime egg
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
Pen [Syndicate item]
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
5
Ammunition box (9mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Ammunition box (10mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Ammunition box (.45)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Ammunition box (12mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Magazine (9mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Magazine (10mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Magazine (12mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Magazine (.50ae)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Magazine (.75)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Laser gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
2
Laser cannon
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
4
Xray laser gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
5
2
2
Laser tag gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
2
Energy gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
2
Advanced energy gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
3
3
Ion rifle
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
4
Floral somatoray
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
3
Stun revolver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
3
Energy crossbow
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
5
Temperature gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
3
2
Submachine gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
4
Uzi
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
5
8
C-20r SMG
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
5
8
L6 SAW
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
5
2
Tommy gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
5
2
Silenced pistol
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
8
Gyropistol
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Stechkin pistol
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
2
Detective revolver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Mateba
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Russian Revolver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Shotgun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
4
Combat shotgun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
5
Double-barreled shotgun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
3
Projectile gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
Chem sprayer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
3
Retractor
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Hemostat
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Cautery
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Surgical drill
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Scalpel
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Circular saw
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
Surgical drapes
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
Bluespace crystal
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
Artificial bluespace crystal
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
Global positioning system
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
Telepad beacon
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
Drone shell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
2
Icon
Item
Materials
Engineering
Plasma
Power
Bluespace
Biological
Combat
EMP
Data
Illegal
Construction
See here how to build machines out of the components you discover.
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 the Exosuit Fabricator as well.
Upgrading Machines
All machines are composed of components. There are better versions of many components, attained through research. These instructions only show you how to construct the very basic form of e.g. Exosuit Fabricator. But if you build an Exosuit Fabricator with the most complicated versions of the components instead of the regular ones, you'll get different advantages:
Better Matter bin makes you have more storage space.
Better Manipulator improves build speed.
Better Laser improves materials efficiency.
Bigger Beaker increases the reagent storage size.
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.
Alternately, you can use RPED (Rapid Part Exchange Device):
Load RPED with parts.
Screwdriver on the machine.
Click on it with RPED.
Screwdriver again.
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 require a firing pin from the armory or ordered from cargo if you wish to use it for combat.
Floral Somatoray additionally requires 20 Radium
Protolathe Manufacturing List
Icon
Item
Material
Enginee ring
Plasma
Power
Blue space
Bio
Combat
EMP
Data
Illegal
Reliab ility
Intellicard AI Transportation System
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
4
100
1000
100
Personal Artificial Intelligence Card
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
100
500
500
Bluespace Rapid Part Exchange Device
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
3
3
3
15000
5000
2500
Design Storage Disk
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
30
10
Technology Data Storage Disk
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
30
10
Basic Capacitor
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
50
50
Basic Scanning Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
50
20
Micro Manipulator
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
1
100
30
Basic Micro-Laser
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
10
20
Basic Matter Bin
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 1
100
80
Advanced Capacitor
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
100
50
50
Advanced Scanning Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
100
50
20
Nano Manipulator
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
100
30
High-Power Micro-Laser
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
100
10
20
Advanced Matter Bin
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
100
80
Super Capacitor
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
5
71
50
50
20
Phasic Scanning Module
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
5
72
50
20
10
Pico Manipulator
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
2
73
30
Ultra-High-Power Micro-Laser
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
5
70
10
20
10
Super Matter Bin
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
75
80
GPS Device
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
3
100
500
1000
Subspace Ansible
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
2
2
100
80
20
Hyperwave Filter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
100
40
10
Subspace Amplifier
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
2
2
100
10
30
15
Subspace Treatment Disk
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
1
2
100
10
20
Subspace Analyzer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
2
2
100
10
15
Ansible Crystal
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
1
2
100
1000
20
20
Subspace Transmitter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
3
100
100
10
15
Basic Power Cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
700
50
High-Capacity Power Cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
100
700
60
Super-Capacity Power Cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
75
700
70
Hyper-Capacity Power Cell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
5
70
400
70
150
150
Light Replacer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
100
1500
3000
150
Mass-Spectrometer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
76
30
20
Advanced Mass-Spectrometer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
4
74
30
20
Man-Machine Interface
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
3
2
76
1000
500
Radio-enabled Man-Machine Interface
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
2
74
1200
500
Bluespace Beaker
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
2
76
3000
3000
500
Cryostasis Beaker
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
76
3000
Advanced Energy Gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
3
3
76
5000
1000
500
Stun Revolver
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
3
100
4000
Laser Cannon
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
4
100
10000
1000
2000
Rapid Syringe Gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
2
3
100
5000
1000
Temperature Gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
3
2
100
500
500
3000
Floral Somatoray
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
3
100
2000
500
Large Grenade
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
3
79
3000
Submachine Gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
100
8000
2000
1000
Xray Laser Gun
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 5
4
5
6
100
4000
5000
10000
Ion Rifle
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
5
4
100
6000
4000
1000
Ammunition Box (9mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
100
3750
100
Submachine Gun Magazine (9mm)
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
4
100
3750
100
Stun Shell
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
100
4000
Sonic Jackhammer
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
2
2
100
2000
500
500
Mining Drill
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
3
100
6000
1000
Plasma Cutter
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
3
3
79
1500
500
500
500
Diamond Pickaxe
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
100
3000
Diamond Mining Drill
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
4
4
79
3000
1000
3750
Optical Meson Scanners
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
2
100
50
50
Tracking Beacon
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
1
100
20
10
Bag of Holding
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
4
80
3000
250
1500
Artificial Bluespace Crystal
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 6
4
100
1500
1500
Health Scanner HUD
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
3
100
50
50
Security HUD
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
2
3
100
50
50
Welding Gas Mask
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 2
2
100
4000
2000
Advanced Optical Meson Scanner
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
4
100
100
100
Night Vision Goggles
style="background:#E2FFA8;" |
4
100
100
100
1000
Magnetic Boots
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 4
5
4
100
4500
1500
2500
Rapid Part Exchange Device
style="background:#E2FFA8;" | 3
3
100
15000
5000
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.