kathepsiinit

Kathepsiinit is a fictional mineral used in speculative geology and science fiction to illustrate high-pressure mineralogy. The name is formed from a fictional root kathepsi-, with the -init suffix common to mineral names in many works of fiction.

In the fictional sources, kathepsiinit forms at high pressures and temperatures within deep crustal rocks prone to intense volatile activity. It is described as a blue to blue-green silicate with a layered structure and strong basal cleavage. Reported hardness is about 5.5 on the Mohs scale; density around 3.3 g/cm3; refractive index near 1.70.

Discovery and distribution: In the stories, it was first described by a fictional mineralogist in a 22nd-century science fiction novel. It is described as arising in exoplanetary rock analogs and in subduction-zone models of distant worlds.

Uses and significance: Its layered structure is said to support ionic conduction along sheets, making it a candidate material for hypothetical energy storage and smart-glass applications. It is also noted for luminescence under ultraviolet light.

See also: speculative mineralogy; list of minerals; exoplanet geology.