Hi-tech research bench

A hi-tech research bench is a production bench at which your colonists can research new technology.

It is the more advanced version of the simple research bench, providing faster research speeds and allowing access to more advanced technologies. It is also the only bench that can be linked to the Multi-analyzer.

Acquisition

Hi-tech research benches can be constructed once the Microelectronics research project has been completed. They require 150 Stuff (Metallic, 1500 for SMVs), 100 Steel, 10 Components, 5,000 ticks (1.39 mins) of work, and a Construction skill of 6.

Summary

Once a project has been selected in the Research tab, colonists assigned to Research work type will work at a hi-tech research bench to complete the project. Multiple researchers can contribute toward a project at the same time, so long as sufficient research benches are available, and benches can be freely swapped between researchers.

The rate of research depends on the following factors:

The research speed stat of the researcher
The type of research bench and facilities used. Hi-tech research benches have ×1 multiplier to this research rate. Linking a multi-analyzer gives a +10% buff to the research bench. This buff is additive with the research bench, and then multiplied by other factors.
Whether the bench is outdoors and, if indoors, the cleanliness of the room. Building research benches outdoors imposes a ×0.75 penalty to research speed. Indoors, the cleanliness of the room the bench is in comes into play, granting modifiers ranging from ×0.75 for very dirty rooms, ×1 for clean (0), to ×1.09 for sterile (0.6).
Most production facilities gain a x0.7 work multiplier for being in "Bad Temperature" (below 10 °C (50 °F) or above 35 °C (95 °F).

Maximum multi-analyzer distance

Some research projects require either the hi-tech research bench, or both the bench and the multi-analyzer to be researched. Multi-analyzers link to all hi-tech research benches within 4 tiles. Only linked benches can be used to research projects that require the multi-analyzer.

Unlike the simple research bench and multi-analyzer, these cannot be un/reinstalled, only deconstructed.

Analysis

Once they are unlocked, hi-tech research benches are 33.33% faster at researching than the simple research bench. As soon as Microelectronics is researched and the colony has sufficient power and resources to construct them, simple benches should be replaced. This is also required to unlock projects beyond Microelectronics. Multiple research benches can be used concurrently; as soon as you have the resources and manpower to spare, you may want to have 2 researchers operating at once.

If resources are tight but several researchers are available, simple research benches can be retained in order to research less complex technologies. Simple and hi-tech research benches may be used together, though pawns will automatically abandon any simple benches when hi-tech is required. You can also place half of the available researchers on a night shift, allowing them to share benches.

Laboratories

Because research is a long term task, it is advised to please researchers:

Increase a researcher's comfort with dining chairs or armchairs, and install sculptures or other beautiful items to increase mood.
Install floors and keep the room clean, which also increases research speed.
- Steel tile and sterile tile provide a small boost to Cleanliness, but are quite costly.

Research rooms can be kept small and out of major thorougfares, to minimize the amount of cleaning time and sterile tile used. Alternatively, you can combine the research room with a hospital, as both take full advantage of Cleanliness.

If investing any significant amount of resources into a laboratory, it is recommended to build it such that it will fit the multi-analyzer that will eventually be required.

Stats table

Hi-tech research bench	Beauty	Work to Build	HP	Flammability	Market Value
Material	Beauty	Work to Build	HP	Flammability	Market Value
Bioferrite	0	012,500 ticks (3.47 mins)	500	75%	665
Gold	20	004,500 ticks (1.25 mins)	150	40%	15,525
Plasteel	0	011,000 ticks (3.06 mins)	700	0%	1,900
Silver	6	005,000 ticks (1.39 mins)	175	40%	2,030
Steel	0	005,000 ticks (1.39 mins)	250	40%	815
Uranium	0	009,500 ticks (2.64 mins)	625	0%	1,445