[Mylon]

The idea behind linear input/output relationship is that two labs can focus on two totally different subjects, yet their efforts will apply to the same project. For example, when researching gas colonizers, one lab can focus on the materials designed to make up the landing gear, another lab can design the landing gear and its mechanical properties, another lab can perform experimental tests given data from the first two labs, and this can likewise be reproduced with the many, many parts involved in the entire colonization. Thus, labs can add linearly, since they are not exactly focus on the exact same project. I agree that two labs working on the exact same project would not double the rate of production, but the idea is that there are many parts to each technology that can be split up so that each lab gets one part. Armor, for another example, can be involved with the labs that design the possible materials to be used, the many labs to test those materials against the many weapons or conditions it will have to face, then there's the lab(s) that concentrate on effective placement of armor on hulls to maximize effectiveness.