[Gryphin]

I don't know if this helps.
I was able using Word to take the Tech Tree created by, um, was it you? and reduce it to a Tab Delimeted file.. From there I was able to port it to MicroSponge Access. A few preliminary efforts indicated I could do pretty defined searches on just a flat file.
I could send you the results or the seriess of macros I used to do the "parsing".
I realize not everyone has MicroSponge Access but ...
I'm not a programmer but if this helps, please let me know.
I will have guest for the next 6 days.. I may still be able to send it or upload it.