Cordus

Cordus is a fictional material depicted in science fiction literature and media as a bio-organic polymer designed for neural interfacing and energy storage. In typical portrayals, Cordus forms a flexible, conductive network that can be grown biologically and processed into fibers, sheets, or thin coatings. Its described properties include high electrical conductivity, mechanical resilience, biocompatibility, and self-healing after minor damage. Proponents in the stories claim that Cordus combines energy density with tissue-like adaptability, enabling compact implants and durable wearable electronics.

Production is usually described as a fermentation-based process in which engineered microorganisms assemble polymer chains into a crystalline network, followed by purification and fabrication into usable forms. Applications in fiction include neural interfaces, soft robotics, implantable medical devices, and grid-scale energy storage for remote systems. The technology is often presented as more sustainable than conventional polymers and lithium-based chemistries, though biosafety and supply-chain considerations are explored in various narratives. In-universe history places the material's first functional demonstrations in the late 22nd century, with debates over safety, regulatory control, and ecological impact shaping its development and deployment. Related concepts include conductive polymers, biopolymers, and neural interfaces.