Fate:Research and Development
Is the process of research and development integral to your Fate game? Then this might be the subsystem for you. These rules are flexible enough to cover a range of variations, including uncovering scientific principles, restoring wrecked machinery, and performing alchemical studies.
Projects
A project is created like a character, but representing an abstracted problem, such as "Discovering the Location of the Temple" or "Repairing the Mark 2". Projects have at least two aspects, a sticking point (the most difficult part to deal with) and a weak point (a way to make good ground).
A project's stress track is a progress track, with each successful attack against the project causing progress. When a project cannot mark off progress, it is considered complete. Unlike stress, progress is retained from scene to scene. More difficult projects may fight back when tackled, inflicting stress in return. A mechanical project may cause physical stress from an industrial accident, a research project may cause mental stress due to burnout, but it will be the GM's choice.
Both PCs and NPCs should be able to contribute to a project, allowing such actions as the PCs procuring a supercomputer or a lab team to work on the project while they are off elsewhere. Skills, stunts, and invoked aspects can be used to gain an edge, just like in any other conflict between characters.