stikule

Stikule is a fictional term used in speculative fiction to denote a small, modular adhesive connector employed in nanotech and autonomous robotics. In many works, stikules are deployed by repair swarms to link components quickly and securely without human intervention.

Physically, stikules are described as rice- to grain-sized devices built from a graphene-infused polymer with microactuators and a tiny processor. They attach to compatible surfaces using rapid electrochemical adhesion and a reversible mechanical bond, enabling thousands of units to form a self-organizing network in minutes.

In-universe applications include post-disaster urban repair, where stikules connect sensors, power lines, and repair drones to restore essential services. They are viewed as enabling rapid resilience but also introduce concerns about security, accessibility, and potential misuse by malicious actors.

Etymology and naming: The word stikule is typically treated as a coined term within fictional languages, a blend of an English root "stick" and a suffix "-ule" that signals small scale.

Real-world status: Stikule does not correspond to any real technology; it exists only within fictional settings and is used as a narrative device to explore themes of automation, infrastructure, and resilience.