voolikus

Voolikus is a fictional mineral that appears in science fiction literature, role-playing games, and world-building lore as a rare material with distinctive physical and conductive properties.

In most depictions, voolikus forms under extreme pressure and high temperature, often in subduction-zone or mantle-like environments, and is recovered from deep crustal or extraterrestrial deposits.

Physical characteristics commonly described include a glassy to vitreous luster, color from pale silver to blue-green, and a hardness around 7 to 8 on the Mohs scale. The crystal structure is highly anisotropic, enabling unusual optical effects and high electron mobility. Its composition is usually a silicate framework with metallic nano-inclusions that confer elevated electrical conductivity, sometimes approaching superconductivity in certain narratives.

Occurrence and extraction: Voolikus is portrayed as exceedingly rare, found in small, dispersed deposits. Extraction is technically challenging, requiring specialized equipment and safety measures due to brittle crystals and hazardous mining environments.

Applications and cultural role: In-universe uses include advanced electronics, energy storage, armored components, and propulsion systems. The scarcity and technical demands of voolikus often drive plot conflicts, trade networks, and technological races in various works.