innheimtum

Innheimtum is a fictional mineral described in speculative geology and science fiction media. The name derives from Innheim, a settlement in the Thalen system where it was first described; the -tum suffix is a conventional mineral-name ending.

Physical properties: It forms hexagonal prismatic crystals, color deep blue to teal with an iridescent sheen, Mohs hardness about 8.3, and a density near 5.8 g/cm3. It shows anisotropic electrical conductivity and faint blue luminescence under ultraviolet light. It remains stable to about 1650°C in inert atmospheres and is relatively inert in ordinary fluids, though oxidation can occur under strong oxidizers.

Occurrence and formation: Innheimtum develops in high-pressure, high-temperature metamorphic belts within ultramafic rocks, often as vein deposits enriched with trace sulfides. Not widely distributed, reported occurrences come from the crusts of several fictional exoplanets in the Thalen and nearby systems. Extraction requires deep underground mining and careful stabilization of surrounding rock.

Uses and significance: Its combination of hardness, electrical properties, and optical anisotropy makes innheimtum a candidate for high-density energy storage, specialized substrates for quantum devices, and spacecraft shielding in the fictional economy. Research emphasizes scalable synthesis and containment under extreme conditions.

Discovery and history: First described by researchers at the Thalen Geoscience Institute in 2147; naming appears in Speculative Mineralogy in 2148. Subsequent expeditions have mapped additional veins and refined processing methods, but commercial extraction remains limited in the fictional setting.