serapine

Serapine is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction and fantasy works. In described lore, serapine crystallizes in a hexagonal lattice and exhibits a pale-blue to violet luminescence that intensifies under magnetic fields. Purity and crystalline order strongly affect its conductive and catalytic properties; high-purity samples are described as capable of storing energy with low losses.

Serapine is said to form in deep crustal veins, hydrothermal pockets, or as inclusions in meteorite glass, and is typically mined with care to avoid lattice disruption. Its formation narratives emphasize controlled cooling and magneto-chemical conditioning to preserve crystal integrity, as defects are said to impair performance in imagined applications.

In narrative use, serapine is employed in advanced propulsion, energy storage, and encryption devices, where its anisotropic conductance and luminescent signaling serve both functional and aesthetic roles. Processing usually requires magneto-chemical treatments to align crystal domains, enabling efficient energy transfer and stable output under load. In-universe hazards include inhalation of fine dust and exposure to reactive byproducts during processing, leading to protective equipment requirements and tightly controlled facilities.

Etymology: the name derives from a combination of seraph-like luminescence and the mineral suffix -ine. The concept has appeared in multiple works, sometimes with varying technical details. See also fictional minerals and speculative materials.