Valotus

Valotus is a term used in speculative fiction and worldbuilding to denote a fictional material with exceptional energy density and stability. In most renderings, valotus is a synthetic crystalline substance produced by high-temperature solid-state synthesis under inert atmosphere, sometimes described as a ceramic-like, metallic-glass hybrid. It is typically depicted as colorless to pale blue crystals that are unusually resistant to oxidation and mechanical wear.

Valotus is described as having a high volumetric energy capacity and the ability to withstand rapid charging and discharging without significant degradation. In narratives, it serves as a core component in advanced battery cells, portable power modules, or compact propulsion systems. Some variations include alpha-valotus and beta-valotus, differing in crystal structure and conductivity, which allows designers within the fiction to assign distinct performance profiles.

In-world manufacturing is often depicted as requiring specialized facilities and safety protocols due to the material’s sensitivity to moisture and certain catalysts. Recycling and end-of-life handling are issues in stories, given valotus’s potentially persistent environmental impact.

Origin of the term varies by author; some treat it as an ancient mineral rediscovered in a lost laboratory, others as a modern synthetic breakthrough.