gunos

Gunos are a fictional mineral resource prominent in science fiction narratives set in the Rimward Expanse. In these depictions gunos is valued for its high energy density and superconductive properties, enabling compact energy storage and rapid transfer in advanced technologies. The mineral's scarcity and distinctive appearance make it central to interstellar trade, research programs, and strategic planning within the setting.

The name gunos is attributed in various sources to the Guno language of the archipelago world of Silara, though some texts offer alternate etymologies. Geologically, gunos is described as a translucent, iridescent crystal that forms in hydrothermal veins within basaltic rock and is typically recovered from volcanic or tectonically active regions. Descriptions of its exact composition vary, with some authors calling it a silicate-rare-earth alloy and others treating it as a novel mineral phase outside current mineral classifications.

Distribution and impact: In most series, gunos deposits are rare and yield only small amounts per operation, leading to exclusive mining rights and regulated export by the interstellar authorities. Applications in fiction include energy storage cells, superconducting components, and parts of quantum devices. The resource also features in plots about environmental concerns, labor rights, and geopolitical competition, underscoring gunos’ role as a symbol of technological leverage.