strooid

Strooid is a fictional material that appears in science fiction literature, games, and media. It is typically depicted as a crystalline, metal-like substance with unusually high energy density and mechanical strength, making it useful for advanced technology such as space propulsion, power storage, and armor. Different sources vary in its exact composition and formation, but strooid is generally treated as rare and valuable.

Origin and depiction: The term strooid is not a real scientific term and has no universal definition outside fiction. In many depictions, strooid forms under extreme conditions in outer solar system environments or is synthesized in highly advanced laboratories. Its appearance ranges from translucent crystals to opaque nodules, often with a metallic luster. Processing is described as requiring specialized equipment and safety protocols due to its energetic or unstable properties.

Properties and uses: In-universe descriptions describe strooid as having exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, high thermal conductivity, and in some stories, superconductivity at low temperatures. It may be resistant to radiation or corrosion, enabling long-lasting components in hostile environments. Common uses include reactor cores, spacecraft structures, and portable energy cells. Mining and refinement are portrayed as challenging and expensive, with significant economic and political implications in settings where strooid is scarce.

Notes and limitations: Because strooid is a fictional construct, details vary by author and medium. It is often used to explore themes such as resource scarcity, technological rivalry, and the ethics of advanced material exploitation.