Advancing Synthetic R&D through Scenarios: Integrating Science, Technology, and Stakeholder Needs

Bridging the gap between fundamental scientific knowledge and its real-world application remains a major challenge in research and development (R&D). This paper highlights the critical role of synthetic R&D in addressing this challenge. While analytical R&D breaks down complex systems to generate new factual knowledge using well-established methods, synthetic R&D—which integrates diverse scientific and technological knowledge into practical applications—still lacks a coherent and widely recognized methodological framework. To address this methodological shortcoming, the paper proposes a structured, scenario-based approach to support the practice of synthetic R&D. A “scenario” here refers to a coherent development pathway that systematically links scientific understanding with clearly defined application goals. The proposed methodology explores both internal and external scenario structures, providing a reproducible model for guiding and evaluating synthetic R&D projects. Its utility is demonstrated through three case studies in the fields of nanotechnology, measurement technology, and environmental science. These examples illustrate how structured scenarios can effectively integrate scientific knowledge, technological expertise, and stakeholder needs. Furthermore, these scenarios serve as frameworks that facilitate interdisciplinary and cross-organizational collaboration, while remaining adaptable to evolving application demands. By enabling such integration and adaptability, this scenario-based methodology supports broader recognition of synthetic R&D as a vital partner of analytical R&D.