More Frankenscience is Needed.

[salix_catus]

A change like this would require an almost complete rewrite of a significant amount of core functionality. With all the fun, regressions and associated horrors that come with that prospect.

I'm guessing that material science was a similar situation albeit less complex. Could possibly a new system be created whilst keeping the old one? I'm also guessing that's what has happened with material science too. like how the station walls and floors all seem to have no material values until taken apart or built as new ones.(Is that why they all are a darker color?)