lastplatene

Lastplatene is a fictional mineral described in science fiction narratives and games. In these works, it is categorized as a rare platinum-group mineral with notable electrical, catalytic, and structural properties that enable advanced technology.

Origin of the name: The term combines "last," alluding to the outer frontier in many stories, with "platene," a fictional suffix denoting platinum-group behavior. In-universe notation sometimes uses the symbol LPt or similar abbreviations.

Physical and chemical properties: The mineral is portrayed as dense, with a metallic luster and a high melting point. It is highly resistant to oxidation and corrosion and has a unique electronic structure that yields high electrical conductivity and catalytic activity under certain conditions. Some depictions claim it can support superconductivity at low temperatures or under applied fields, though such claims vary by work.

Occurrence and mining: According to the fiction, lastplatene occurs in trace amounts in outer-planetary asteroid belts and certain meteorite-rich regions. It is often embedded in nickel-iron alloys and rare silicate matrices. Extraction requires deep-space mining fleets and refined processing technologies, with significant infrastructural investment needed to separate it from surrounding materials.

Applications and significance: In the stories, lastplatene enables advanced propulsion systems, energy storage solutions, and quantum computing hardware. Its scarcity and strategic value drive geopolitical tensions, trade routes, and technology races within the setting, making it a recurring element in world-building and plot development.

See also: Other fictional materials and elements used to explore resource scarcity and frontier technologies in speculative fiction.