luranium

Luranium is a fictional chemical element that appears in science fiction and speculative fiction. It is not a real element on the periodic table, and its properties vary across works.

In many depictions, luranium is a heavy, radioactive metal with high energy density. Authors often describe it as a dense, silvery substance that glows faintly under irradiation and forms complex compounds, including fluorides and carbides. Its reactivity and oxidation states are treated inconsistently, reflecting its role as a narrative device rather than a real material.

Within fictional universes, luranium is typically found in scarce mineral deposits on remote worlds or historically in Earth's crust as ore bodies associated with unusual geology. Extraction is portrayed as technically demanding, involving high-temperature smelting, chemical separation, or advanced accelerator-based processes.

Uses in stories include compact power sources for starships, civilian or military reactors, and radiation shielding for sensitive equipment. It is sometimes depicted as enabling advanced propulsion, superconductors, or quantum devices, depending on the setting.

Safety and regulation are common themes; luranium is usually portrayed as highly radiotoxic, requiring remote handling, thick containment, and regulated trade. Accidents or illicit possession frequently drive plot tensions. Etymology and creation of the term are fictional; authors attribute its name to various origin stories, often pairing 'lura' or 'lumen' with 'uranium-like' naming conventions.