you get exotic particles by advancing into higher tier cells and once you get to around dolorium u can prestige for your first particle. Its best to prestige once you can prestige for around 551 exotic particles (EP) and then you can go to prestige upgrades and get whatever upgrades you want
 "Reactor Incremental"){kind=icon}
 "Reactor idle"){kind=icon}
 "Learn to Fly 3"){kind=icon}