Don’t lose hope on it. You have to consider that a good portion of scientific discovery and scientific correlation is contributed to amateurs and hobbyists research and work. I dabble in electromechanical invention, haven’t come up with much but I enjoy it nonetheless. Currently experimenting with Seebeck generators (TEGs thermoelectric generators) and capturing waste energy from heat sources. I’m appalled by how manufacturers have to heat and cool differing pieces of equipment and no has tried to capture waste energy created from these temperature differentials. I’ll cap this here before I go off on my own long tangent.
It’s a spectrum, we are all on it. I’m sure my musings of electromechanical madness would be coined as autistic by some. Math is fascinating, I wish my grade school had taught it to me in a way that related it more to my interests. If I was shown math with electronics in an engaging way at a younger age, I can only imagine where I would be. Still glad I discovered it later in life.
Please do, I would enjoy hearing more of what you have found. Unfortunately working in a blue collar field I don’t have many colleagues interested in discussing science and space. I swear some days if I have to listen to one more conversation about sports I might just walk out and quit.