Re: commercial pure research?
As someone with personal experience attracting capital investment money the questions that have to be answered start with
"How does the investor make money on the investment?"
then onto...
"How much needs to be invested?" The more the $, the higher the risk
"When do I get my payback?"
"What are the risks?"
Market risk? i.e. the market is not there or is too small
Technological risk? technology doesn't work or it takes more $ than you said to be ready
I do not see ANY pure research geting funded for the above hurdles. Besides, there are too many less risky promising applied research (biotech, etc.) opportunities snarfing up the bucks.
-p