Metallophonen
Metallophonen is a term used in speculative mineral science to describe a class of metallic resonant crystals that emit audible tones when stimulated by mechanical, electrical, or magnetic energy. The name derives from the Greek metallon meaning metal and phone meaning sound. In the imagined taxonomy, Metallophonen crystals are typically small, ranging from tens of micrometers to a few millimeters, and exhibit tightly bound lattice structures that support coherent vibrational modes.
Physical characteristics of Metallophonen include a metallic luster, high density, and hardness similar to common silicate
The emission mechanism is described in speculative terms as a piezoelectric-like coupling within the crystal lattice.
Applications in fiction and thought experiments often assign Metallophonen roles in acoustic sensing, energy harvesting, or