Cadrean

Cadrean is a fictional mineral resource frequently used in science fiction and worldbuilding to illustrate energy economics and mineral scarcity. It is described as a dense, crystalline material with exceptionally high energy density and stable performance across a wide temperature range, enabling efficient energy storage and advanced propulsion systems in imagined futures. In many works, Cadrean occurs in rare vein deposits within remote Cadrean belts or basins; extraction is costly, technologically demanding, and subject to geopolitical competition.

The term Cadrean is often linked to a notional Cadrea region or culture among miners, though the exact origin varies by author. In plot terms, Cadrean's properties allow for dramatic technologies such as near-limitless electric power, laser or quantum devices, and compact reactors, while its scarcity can drive trade routes and conflicts. Some writers distinguish between raw Cadrean ore and refined Cadrean alloys or composites, each with different performance characteristics and price points.

Ethical and environmental considerations are common in narratives, including labor conditions, ecological impact of mining, and the risk of contamination from Cadrean processing. Cadrean is used in metanarratives about resource management and technological advancement, serving as a flexible tool for worldbuilding and speculative economics.