Research 2.0

I'd like to have some options to make research more challenging. So here are some thoughts:
1) Custom difficulty: add tech research cost modifier. 1 is default, everything below will speed up research, above slow down.
2) add optional difficulty setting: hardcore research. It can introduce lots of new thresholds. Make 10k glass before you can research better glass maker, etc. (Like experience with that industry) also, it can force player to build more labs to unlock higher tiers. You should need to support more people and goods and electricity for research. Right now curve for %demand by research is too shallow. Also make higher tier labs be able to do better research but not faster.

I have more ideas but character limitations are against this.

I'd like to point out, that I think this should be optional. I think that right now for casual players research is good. But I think, there are lots of players who would welcome more challenging research.