Lafts

Lafts is a fictional mineral resource described in science fiction and world-building literature. In these works, lafts are valued for their exceptional energy density and stability, making them a central element in advanced power systems and propulsion concepts. The term is not used to refer to any real mineral, and there is no established mineralogical or geochemical basis for it outside narrative contexts.

Etymology and usage in fiction are varied, but lafts are generally portrayed as a crystalline or polycrystalline material with a compact, high-strength lattice. Some authors depict lafts as forming in pressure-rich, asteroid-related environments, while others place them in exotic planetary mantles. The name is often treated as a gate to futuristic technologies, and in-universe jargon sometimes attaches additional descriptors such as “high-purity,” “reactive,” or “radiation-hard.”

Properties commonly attributed to lafts include high energy density, resistance to extreme temperatures, and stable performance under rapid cycling. The material is frequently imagined in refined forms—crystals, ingots, or engineered composites—suitable for integration into compact reactors, superconducting circuits, or propulsion modules. In certain narratives, processing lafts requires specialized refining techniques or rare catalysts, adding a logistical dimension to their extraction and trade.

Occurrence and extraction are typically described as requiring automated mining in remote or hazardous settings, with supply chains spanning interplanetary or interstellar routes. Economic and political implications recur in fiction, as lafts influence power balances, trade, and technological development across civilizations.

See also: fictional minerals, world-building resources, speculative technology concepts.