Lythic

Lythic is a term used in speculative mineralogy and related media to denote a rare, energy-responsive mineral. In fictional geologies, Lythic is valued for its potential to store and emit energy in controlled amounts, making it a common element in science fiction and fantasy settings. The term also appears in worldbuilding discussions as a hypothetical material.

Physical properties attributed to Lythic in these contexts include a hexagonal crystal habit and a color spectrum ranging from pale green to deep blue. Reported hardness on the Mohs scale is 6 to 7. Lythic crystals are said to luminesce under ultraviolet light and to exhibit piezoelectric and pyroelectric responses, releasing energy when stressed or heated.

Geological occurrence is described as veins within ultramafic or metamorphic rocks, formed by high-temperature hydrothermal processes. In many narratives, Lythic is associated with other exotic minerals such as aethonite and ceruleanite, which are likewise unique to the imagined geology.

Applications in fiction often revolve around compact energy storage, high-density capacitors, or power cores for vehicles and devices. Practical challenges in these depictions include scarcity, difficulties in synthetic production, and the need for specialized extraction techniques, which drive economic and political tensions within the story world.

Etymology: The name Lythic is usually traced to lithos, the Greek for stone, and is intended to evoke a stone-based source of energy.