Given my limited understanding of DeSci projects, I'd appreciate any advice on whether they're solid projects worth exploring or investing in.
I guess I'm missing this concept; they do have a market for this already
https://www.coingecko.com/en/categories/decentralized-science-desciAll I know right now are DeFi and DePin I'm fully exploring Depin because of the popularity of Grass when they distribute their token, It sure is create a big buzz, Like you, I will explore this new market, this bull trend created a lot fo new concepts that's worth exploring for profit.
More like DESCI mission is to fund scientific innovation using blockchain.. you can read more about it here. A good writeup explaining these.