The Research

[Bumblechubs]

I just mentioned in another thread an idea about how research could require maintenance if it's an upgrade; if a technician isn't maintaining these improved systems they break down and we lose the bonus. It would give us a research to keep researchers/technicians around after the tech's been researched, and require more manpower if we wish to get more upgrades. Unlocks wouldn't require maintenance, as we wouldn't forget how to build things... but if someone didn't check the nutrient dispenser now and then, we might lose that efficiency bonus.

Also maybe some upgrades could require resources as well; upgrading from simple picks, to electric drills, to whatever fanciful technology we could think of.

[Nocebo]

Although i just started a thread about removing the word "research" altogether from the game.
If there will be some form of research done, don't let it be things like accuracy, mining speed and those kind of things. Those should be increased from frequent use and/or training. Let the research be unlocking new buildings or things like that.