Laxtum

Laxtum is a fictional chemical element and associated material that appears in science fiction and speculative science discussions. It is not recognized by real-world periodic table authorities, and there is no empirical evidence for its existence.

In many fictional portrayals, laxtum is described as a superheavy metal with an imagined atomic number of 164 and the symbol Lx. Authors attribute to laxtum properties such as extreme density, high melting and boiling points, and remarkable resistance to corrosion, alongside intense radioactivity with a wide range of possible isotopes.

Because laxtum is not synthesized or observed, its properties are hypothetical and vary between narratives. The material is often used as a plot device to explore limits of superheavy-element chemistry, including predicted electron configuration and possible alloying behavior.

In fictional settings, laxtum is sometimes proposed for advanced technologies—radiation shielding, energy storage, or components in propulsion systems—though these uses are speculative and tied to worldbuilding rather than real science.

Etymology: the name laxtum is a neologism employed by authors and theorists; it is not derived from any established mineral or element name.