Gives you research points to spend on researching new technologies. Costing $100 when you start the game, it will produce 1 Research per tick. The amount it produces can be modified by spending money in the upgrade tab. In the research tab you can buy a upgraded version called the Advanced Research Center.
Strategy[]
Any obsolete islands should be left entirely for research. For example, if you have unlocked village and think island is useless, replace all mechanisms on island with research centers.