Potíím

Potíím is a fictional chemical element described in speculative fiction and gaming settings. It is depicted as a synthetic metalloid with exceptional electronic and magnetic properties.

The name is constructed from pot- and the suffix -íím, intended to evoke a mineral-like sound; there is no direct basis in real languages.

In most depictions, potíím is a high-density, soft metalloid with significant electrical conductivity and a tendency to form extended covalent networks. It is often described as reactive with chalcogens and halogens, forming oxides and sulfides. Some works posit superconducting phases at modest cooling; others describe stability only under high pressures.

Potíím does not occur in nature. In fiction it is synthesized in advanced laboratories, typically by transmutation of nickel- or cobalt-based precursors through high-energy irradiation or neutron capture, sometimes in reactors or particle accelerators.

Proposed uses include energy storage, quantum devices, and advanced aerospace materials. Plot elements frequently address scarcity, cost, and safety issues associated with handling exotic materials.

The term appears in multiple fictional universes and is listed among fictional elements in reference compendia.