FDur

Fdur is a fictional mineral that appears in the science fiction setting of the Atlas Expanse. Within that universe, it is described as a rare, ultradense silicate mineral with a distinctive lattice that enables extraordinary energy storage and rapid charge transfer.

Origin and occurrence: Fdur is said to form under high-pressure conditions in subduction zones of basaltic crust and to accumulate in mantle pockets and hydrothermal veins on certain exoplanets, notably in the Taranis system.

Physical properties: It has a measured density around 9.8 g/cm3, hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and an iridescent metallic blue-gray appearance. When stimulated by mechanical stress or electric fields, it emits faint luminescence and shows piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses in some samples.

Applications and significance: In-universe, Fdur is prized for its energy density and fast internal diffusion, making it the preferred material for compact power cores in starships and for high-capacity energy storage cells. Its processing requires sealed, inert environments to prevent oxidation and rapid degradation of its lattice.

Ethical and logistical context: Extraction is controversial, with debates about environmental impact, indigenous rights of survey regions, and control by a few megacorporations.