Daltonteina

Daltonteina is a fictional crystalline material described in speculative science fiction and in world-building literature. In these settings, daltonteina refers to a carbon-nitrogen–based two-dimensional lattice with alternating sublayers arranged in a hexagonal pattern, similar in concept to graphene but with heteroatoms inserted to tailor properties. The name derives from the scientific mass unit dalton and a suffix evocative of organic "proteina" compounds, reflecting its hybrid composition.

Daltonteina is characterized by very high stiffness-to-weight ratio, notable thermal conductivity, and tunable electronic behavior from semiconducting to metallic when doped with alkali metals. The lattice is chemically robust in vacuum and inert atmospheres, with practical operating temperatures up to about 1000°C in inert conditions; susceptible to oxidation in air at elevated temperatures unless surface-treated. The material exhibits anisotropic mechanical properties, with higher in-plane strength and flexibility along certain crystal axes.

According to the stories, daltonteina was first synthesized by a team led by Dr. A. Rossi in 2123 at the Nova Institute for Molecular Engineering, using a two-step chemical vapor deposition process followed by plasma-assisted crosslinking. Its synthesis requires precursors containing carbon and nitrogen in precise stoichiometry and high-vacuum, ultrahigh-temperature conditions.

Within its fictional universe, daltonteina is proposed for aerospace components, protective coatings, and energy storage electrodes because of its lightness, strength, and conductivity. It appears in several novels and game rulebooks as a cutting-edge material, and researchers debate its feasibility given production costs and environmental sensitivity.