taaperon

Taaperon is a fictional material that appears in speculative fiction, including novels and role-playing game sourcebooks. It is characterized by a dense, metallic appearance and high resistance to corrosion, heat, and radiation.

In most portrayals, taaperon is found in rare ore deposits in the crust of certain planets or on asteroids, and it requires specialized refining. Its physical properties are described variably, but commonly include high electrical conductivity and notable hardness. Some authors attribute superconducting behavior at elevated temperatures to taaperon, enabling efficient energy transfer and magnetic shielding in equipment purposed for space travel.

Applications in fiction include spacecraft hulls, reactors, and energy storage devices, and its scarcity often serves as a driver for economic and political conflict.

Etymology and usage: the name taaperon is a fictional coinage; it is sometimes tied to imagined languages with roots meaning shield or protection.