mattercan

Mattercan is a term used in speculative science and science fiction to describe a compact containment device designed to encapsulate, stabilize, and preserve a discrete quantity of matter. In many depictions, a mattercan stores matter in a non-biological, non-chemical state and prevents decay, enabling long-term preservation, rapid transport, or staged release. The concept emphasizes maintaining the microstructure of the contained material rather than altering its composition, though some variants permit reconfiguration or reconstruction on demand.

A typical mattercan comprises a sealed chamber surrounded by energy fields, including a quantum-state memory and a phase-stable interface that records and reinstates the arrangement of atoms. Transfer between canisters or into the external environment may be described as a form of information-based dematerialization and reassembly, with safeguards to prevent corruption of the stored state. The device is usually portrayed as portable, with a power source and access controls.

The idea has its roots in late 20th and early 21st-century fiction and has appeared in speculative discussions about high-density storage and molecular memory. In fiction, mattercans store biological samples, precious materials, or dangerous substances, enabling secure storage, rapid supply chains, and potential applications in space exploration. While related technologies exist in real-world research, no functioning mattercan has been demonstrated.

Limitations and ethics are commonly noted: substantial energy requirements, risk of state corruption or replication errors, concerns about contamination, and broader regulatory and safety challenges in handling preserved matter.