Kloridian

Kloridian is a fictional mineral described in science fiction worldbuilding and related speculative literature. It was first identified on the Earth-like planet Kloros in the outer reaches of the Perseus Arm by the Asteria expedition team led by Dr. Liora Mendez in 2145. The mineral is typically found in ultramafic volcanic rocks and hydrothermal vent deposits, where it forms prismatic to tabular crystals.

Chemically and physically, Kloridian is portrayed as a layered silicate–fluoride compound rich in potassium, aluminum, silicon, oxygen, and fluorine, with trace rare-earth dopants that can produce luminescence under ultraviolet light. It is described as pale green to colorless, with a Mohs hardness around 6 and a relatively high refractive index. The crystal lattice is often characterized as brittle yet robust under moderate thermal stress, and it shows stability up to high temperatures in laboratory simulations.

Distribution and use: Kloridian deposits are localized to the Kloros Belt and nearby fracture zones. Mining is limited by the mineral’s scarcity, environmental safeguards, and the difficulty of handling its crystalline form, leading to regulatory controls by the Interstellar Mineral Council.

Applications: In fiction, Kloridian is valued for energy storage potential and photonics applications. The lattice is depicted as enabling fast ion diffusion in theoretical battery concepts and serving as a dopant for laser and fiber-optic technologies. Real-world viability is a matter of speculative research within the narrative.

Etymology and status: The name derives from the planet Kloros; scholarly uses include the adjective Kloridian and the noun form Kloridian. No real-world chemical equivalence is implied.