Yes! Yes. A big big yes to you! And a cookie , and some more agreement on the side. This would improve the exploring scientist feeling so much, I can't even comprehend the repercussions!
Phlebotinum gets used so much in fiction it must be on here. While we're at it, Explodium has lots of fun uses, and Nonsensoleum is an excellent fuel.
Maybe also implement a rarity scale for the ores and also a special object in-game for researching ores and materials.
Being able to rename elements sounds like an awesome idea, it'll give you more freedom to make the universe unique, and to make it feel more like your own discovery. Plus I just love collecting things in games, and this seems like something that I would enjoy trying to complete!
