Arkanics

Arkanics is a fictional substance featured in the science fiction novel "The Mote in God's Eye" by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle. It is described as a form of matter that exhibits unusual physical properties, notably its extreme hardness and resistance to damage. The name itself is derived from "arcane," suggesting its mysterious and difficult-to-understand nature.

In the context of the novel, Arkanics plays a significant role in the technology and weaponry of the alien species known as the Moties. Their advanced civilization has mastered the creation and manipulation of Arkanics, using it to construct incredibly durable spacecraft and powerful offensive tools. The substance's properties make it a formidable material, posing a significant challenge to human efforts to understand and counter Motie technology. The exact scientific principles behind Arkanics are not fully explained, serving as a plot device to highlight the technological disparity between humans and the Moties and to underscore the aliens' advanced understanding of physics.