The quick research button was introduced in IG2 for convenience.

Create a similar popup panel besides the screen switcher. Structure:

QUICK RESEARCH:

- Top: current research name, progress, money, issues if any
- Middle: 4 columns for main research types, each column lists the researchable 
technologies (fully completable only?)
- Bottom: Category and subcategory, name and long description of the currently 
hovered item above. Mini image of the technology might be displayed, if the 
space usage vs. scale is acceptible?

If a research is in progress, the icon should be distinctively, e.g., glow. If 
there is a problem with the research, it should display another colored icon. 
Example: petry dish with dark green content, glowing green petri dish, red 
glowing petri dish.

Alternatively, this panel is toggle-based, so no mouse holding.

QUICK PRODUCTION:

- Gear icon, distinctive when there is actual production going on.
- Three columns for main categories
- Each cell: the product name, remaining count, a thin progress bar of the 
current progress
- When the user releases a the mouse over a cell, add 1 to larger ships, 5 to 
fighters other equipment. 
- Separator, then show the top-tier technologies in each column, e.g., Fighter 
6, Cruiser 3, Destroyer 3, etc.
- Separator, then hightlighted technology info; category, subcategory, name, 
long description, inventory level.

Alternatively, this panel is toggle-based, so no mouse holding.