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The EcoLab, research block with cursed 125% yield

Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2025 10:25 am
by h.q.droid
There was an idea floating about recycling depleted science packs to gain back 25% value. Today I just found a practical implementation of the idea in my quality-science base. Here is a screenshot of the lab in action:

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With 4.3k SPM, I got a 552k eSPM, which is:

Code: Select all

  4.3k * 2 //Biolab
       * 6 //Legendary science
       * (1+100%+ //4x Productivity Module 3
            650%) //Research Productivity 65
       * 1.25 //Recycling depleted packs, the important part
The research block requires two parts, first is the reference lab:

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The combinators periodically load the reference lab with bot-supplied science, wait a bit, then unload them to deduce what bottles are currently being consumed. Then it computes and broadcasts an "unloading schedule" where each bottle is unloaded right after depletion, to many of these lab cells:

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Each lab cell receives the unloading schedule and uses an inserter to recycle every used science in a time-sliced manner. The recycled science is cached in a chest and fed to the lab with a prioritized-by-clocking inserter. The real challenge comes from the cramped space of a fully-moduled biolab. Legendary science and efficiency modules slowed down the pace enough for one unloading inserter to make it in time. The recycler chests also handle trash removal from lab / belt.

Each full research block has 7x7 cells:

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The central cell has no lab, and instead provides roboport coverage, receives radar signal, and disables the recycling behavior during science shortage. Again, the higher value of legendary science bottles allows feeding 48 biolabs with a blue belt.