torium

Torium is a term commonly used in speculative fiction to denote a fictional material or element. It has no standing in real-world science, and there is no element named torium in the periodic table or any recognized mineral catalog.

Depictions of torium vary by author and work. In many stories it is described as a rare, dense metal with a high melting point and exceptional structural integrity. Some portray it as having unusual quantum properties or superconductivity that enable efficient energy transfer or storage. Other narratives present torium as chemically reactive under specific conditions or as possessing energy-rich isotopes used for power generation or weapons. Because portrayals differ, no single canonical set of properties exists.

Where torium occurs in fiction, it is often said to be found in distant planets, deep underground deposits, or produced in high-energy laboratories. Its scarcity, strategic value, or technological potential is frequently a plot element.

In real-world contexts torium has no official status and there are no practical guidelines for mining, refining, or safety. Any discussion of torium remains within the realm of fiction and speculative design.

See also unobtainium, vibranium, and dilithium.