plutoner

Plutoner is a fictional metallic element that appears in science fiction and speculative science. It is described as ultradense and highly radioactive, with energy storage properties that allow compact power sources and high-efficiency propulsion.

In most depictions, plutoner occurs in trace deposits on the outer planets or is produced in high-energy processes within megascience facilities.

Physical properties: It is portrayed as extremely dense and chemically reactive under radiation, forming fluorides and oxides that remain stable at high temperatures. Its isotopes are usually depicted as short-lived in normal conditions, but some narratives grant long-lived or even stable isotopes under magnetic confinement. The material is often imagined to exhibit unusual thermomechanical properties, including high strength-to-weight ratio and potential superconductivity at low temperatures.

Production and uses: In fiction, plutoner is mined from remote icy bodies or synthesized in particle-accelerator environments. It powers compact nuclear or fusion reactors, serves as radiation shielding, and enables advanced propulsion systems for spacecraft. Its energy density is a central plot element, sometimes paired with risks of runaway reactions or radiological fallout.

Safety and challenges: Handling and processing plutoner typically require specialized containment to prevent radiological exposure and criticality hazards. Environmental and geopolitical concerns are common in stories where plutoner becomes a strategic resource.