I've heard their greatest fear is creating something with a practical application.
In Freeman's mind, Gordon makes the correct observation that in the secret particle physics megacomplex, they bothered to write down the general equation of motion ( x = x_0 + vt + 1/2 at^2) on a whiteboard.
I remembered it being Newton's gravity potential, but looking at a picture it's just a big blur and could equally well be the force. Anyway, I applaud Ross as a physics layman for calling the scientists out.
He recognized it from high school (as do I). Which is a sign that theoretical phyisicists don't need to put it on a whiteboard. I even remember playing the game in school, recognizing the equation and thinking that it was neat. Didn't make the connection, though.
This has always been my biggest gripe with the exposition of this game. While studying physics I did the bare minimum of lab work and then dove into my theoretical specialization.