Edison, Ford and the Wright brothers were crackpots, I guess.
There is a difference between something that may lead from here to there and something that is definitely never going to lead anywhere.
An example of the former:
You write some software that re-orients an array of solar panels to make the most of weather conditions in real time. It's not going to crack the "energy production and storage" enigma, but it's a step in the right direction. Next, you may want to study how panel geometry influences energy collection.
An example of the latter:
You set up a Web site that allows teenagers to compare their gadgets.
There is a difference between something that may lead from here to there and something that is definitely never going to lead anywhere.
An example of the former: You write some software that re-orients an array of solar panels to make the most of weather conditions in real time. It's not going to crack the "energy production and storage" enigma, but it's a step in the right direction. Next, you may want to study how panel geometry influences energy collection.
An example of the latter: You set up a Web site that allows teenagers to compare their gadgets.