saranoid

Saranoid is a fictional mineral used in science fiction and speculative fiction. It is not a real substance and has no basis in real-world mineralogy. The name appears in multiple works with varying details, and there is no single canonical definition.

In common depictions, saranoid is described as a dense, crystalline material with exceptional resilience and unusual quantum properties. It is often portrayed as having a very hard lattice, high thermal stability, and resistance to chemical attack. A frequent fictional attribute is superconductivity or near-superconductivity at relatively accessible temperatures, enabling efficient energy transmission or compact magnetic systems. Some writers also attribute anomalous energy storage or conversion capabilities to saranoid, making it attractive as a power carrier or component in advanced reactors.

Where saranoid is found in stories varies by setting. It may be said to lie in deep planetary mantles, within the crusts of certain icy moons, or on distant dwarf and rogue planets. In many narratives, it is rare and extremely valuable, requiring specialized mining operations and high-cost processing to extract and refine.

In-universe uses and implications commonly center on its status as a strategic resource. Saranoid can enable advanced propulsion, power infrastructure, or weapons systems, leading to its portrayal as a driver of trade, geopolitics, and technological dependence within spacefaring cultures. Its speculative properties also provide a vehicle for exploring themes such as resource scarcity, scientific ethics, and the challenges of translating fictional materials science into practical technology.

See also: fictional minerals, speculative materials, superconductivity in fiction.