nule

Nule is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction literature and role-playing game settings. It is described as a dense, lustrous silicate with unusual energy-storage and luminescent properties, making it valuable for theoretical energy systems and advanced optics. In most depictions, nule occurs only in trace amounts within basaltic lunar rocks and specific asteroid belts.

Discovery and naming: The mineral is first described in 22nd‑century publications following a deep-space mining expedition. The name is attributed to Dr. Nule Kade, a theoretical geologist who proposed the key interpretation of its energy-storage mechanism and suggested the mineral’s potential as a compact power source.

Properties and composition: Nule is described as a silicate mineral containing nanoscale metallic inclusions that enable high energy density and distinctive optical decay. Descriptions vary, but most portray it as Mohs hardness around 5–6, stable up to approximately 1,700–1,900°C in inert atmospheres, and luminescent when excited by low-energy electrons or mild ultraviolet light.

Occurrence and extraction: It is rare, with primary sources in lunar mare deposits and certain asteroid regoliths. Extraction requires controlled vacuum furnaces and precise separation of metallic inclusions from the silicate matrix, often accompanied by significant environmental and logistical challenges.

Applications and significance: In fiction, nule powers compact energy cells, stabilizes high-temperature superconductors, and serves as a prestige material for architecture and jewelry. The mineral also provides narrative material for exploring frontier extraction, colonialism, and the ethics of scarce-resource exploitation.

Cultural depictions and references: Nule features in novels, games, and visual media, where it is used as a plot device to symbolize unknown potential, technological risk, or the fragility of advanced civilizations.