Laohaldust

Laohaldust is a fictional crystalline material described in speculative fiction and worldbuilding literature. It is portrayed as a rare, energy-dense powder with iridescent facets that shift color under light. Because it is a fictional substance, there are no verified measurements or real-world production, and laohaldust does not exist outside invented settings.

Origin and discovery: In most narratives, laohaldust comes from the Lao Highlands, a fictional mineral-rich region, or from meteorite impact ejecta. First described during exploratory expeditions in the early 22nd century in several serial works, the mineral quickly attracted interest from researchers and industry within those stories.

Properties and composition: Descriptions vary, but laohaldust is commonly depicted as a lanthanide-containing dust that forms micron-scale agglomerates. It is said to emit light when stimulated by infrared radiation and to exhibit unusually high energy density per unit mass. Some depictions assign it a metastable crystalline phase that can undergo rapid energy release under specific triggers.

Applications and impact: In fiction, laohaldust powers compact energy storage devices, propulsion systems, and lighting technologies. It also appears as a catalytic material in proposed exoplanetary industry models and as a plot device in stories about resource rivalry and geologic exploration.

Safety and regulation: Within its fictional worlds, handling laohaldust is treated as hazardous because fine powders can be inhaled or dispersed. Standards for mining, transport, and storage are described as strict, with environmental safeguards and international accords in place to manage its use and trade.