Ironically, because university research is competitive, it generates a very conservative climate - what psychologists call a prevention orientation, rather than a promotion orientation. No researcher wants to be associated with something that is more than merely incrementally a step from what is already strongly grounded and proven. Sci fi authors dream big, but when researchers dream big, it is kept private. And perhaps that is how it needs to be, although perhaps there should be an acknowledged category of "speculation" that researchers are allowed to venture into, without tainting their reputation.