Etherium

Etherium ore
General information
Symbol	Et
Number	164
Appearance	Lustrous, bluish-white, hard
Atomic weight	474 u
Category	Noble metal
Group	10
Electron configuration	7d^10(9s^0)
Number of electrons	164
Number of protons	164
Number of neutrons	318
Color	Bluish-white
Melting Point	1774°C (3215°F)
Boiling Point	3827°C (6920°F)
Density	46 g/cm^3
Vapor pressure	0 mmHg
Ionization energy	685 kJ/mol

Etherium is a rare and highly conductive metal found abundantly on the planet Hemisu and its three moons. Its unique properties, including superconductivity at room temperature and the ability to store vast amounts of energy with minimal loss, make it a highly sought after resource for technological, industrial, and energy-related applications.

Characteristics

Etherium is a hard, blue-gray metal, and the second-densest stable element—about twice as dense as lead. Etherium has a blue-gray tint. The reflectivity of single crystals of etherium is complex and strongly direction-dependent, with light in the red and near-infrared wavelengths being more strongly absorbed when polarized parallel to the c crystal axis than when polarized perpendicular to the c axis; the c-parallel polarization is also slightly more reflected in the mid-ultraviolet range. Reflectivity reaches a sharp minimum at around 1.5 eV (near-infrared) for the c-parallel polarization and at 2.0 eV (orange) for the c-perpendicular polarization, and peaks for both in the visible spectrum at around 3.0 eV (blue-violet).

Etherium is a hard metal that remains lustrous even at high temperatures. It has a very low compressibility. Correspondingly, its bulk modulus is extremely high, reported between 395 and 462 GPa, which rivals that of diamond (443 GPa). The hardness of etherium is moderately high at 4 GPa.

Origin and occurence in nature

Etherium is one of the rarest naturally occuring stable-elements in the Talin Galaxy. The only known origin of etherium is found on Hemisu and its three moons, but efforts are being made to look for it elsewhere. Etherium is the fifth abundant element in Hemisu's crust (after oxygen, silicon, aluminum, and iron).

Large deposits of etherium are banded ether formations, a type of rock consisting of repeated thin layers of ether oxides. The banded etherium formations were laid down in the time between 3,700 million years ago and 1,800 million years ago.

Chemistry and compounds

Etherium forms compounds with oxidation states ranging from +2 to +6. The most common include +2, +4, and +6, forming compounds Et)CO)₄, Et(PF₃)₄, and Et(CN)^2-₂. Due to the lanthanide, actinide, and superactinide contractions, etherium has a metallic radius of only 158 pm, very close to that of the much lighter magnesium, despite its atomic weight of around 474 u which is about 19.5 times the atomic weight of magnesium. This small radius and high weight cause it to have an extremely high density of around 46 g·cm−3, over twice that of osmium at 22.61 g·cm−3; etherium is the second most dense element in the periodic table, with only its neighbor unhextrium (element 163) being more dense (at 47 g·cm−3). Metallic etherium has a very large cohesive energy (enthalpy of crystallization) due to its covalent bonds, resulting in a high melting point. In the metallic state, etherium is quite noble and analogous to palladium and platinum.

Applications

Energy

1. Superconductors:

• Utilized in energy transmission systems for lossless electricity transport over long distances.
• Advanced superconducting magnets for use in fusion reactors and particle accelerators.

2. Energy Storage:

• High-capacity, minimal-loss energy storage systems for grid stabilization.
• Integration into portable, long-lasting batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and electronic devices.

Electronics and computing

1. Quantum Computing:

• Fabrication of superconducting qubits for more stable and efficient quantum computers.

2. Semiconductor Industry:

• High-performance components due to Etherium's conductive and heat-resistant properties.
• Microchips with minimal energy loss for high-speed computing applications.

3. Wearable and Flexible Electronics:

• Thin-film Etherium layers for durable and efficient energy conduction.

Aerospace and space exploration

1. Spacecraft Construction:

• Lightweight, dense materials for building spacecraft resistant to radiation and temperature extremes.
• Energy storage systems for long-duration space missions.

2. Satellite Technology:

• Advanced energy systems for powering satellites with minimal maintenance.

3. Propulsion Systems:

• Superconductive and energy-efficient components in ion or plasma propulsion.

Healthcare and medicine

1. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):

• Construction of more sensitive and compact MRI machines using Etherium superconductors.

2. Biomedical Devices:

• Durable energy storage for implants and wearable health-monitoring systems.

Construction and manufacturing

1. Heavy Machinery:

• Etherium-based alloys for tools and components that require exceptional strength and durability.

2. Nuclear Reactors:

• Use in reactor cores or shielding due to high heat resistance and stability.

3. Structural Materials:

• Ultra-dense, strong materials for high-stress applications like bridges, skyscrapers, or underwater structures.

Transportation

1. Electric Vehicles:

• High-efficiency batteries and superconducting motors.
• Durable and lightweight conductive materials for internal systems.

2. Aviation:

• High-performance materials for jet engines and fuselage construction.

Military and defense

1. Advanced Armor:

• High-density Etherium alloys for bulletproof and radiation-resistant materials.

2. Energy Weapons:

• Development of lasers or particle beam weapons that require high-capacity energy storage and discharge.

3. Stealth Technology:

• Reflectivity manipulation for radar and light absorption.

Scientific research

1. Particle Physics:

• Detectors and accelerators requiring superconducting components.

2. Material Science:

• Study and development of high-performance Etherium-based compounds.

3. Astronomy:

• Advanced instrumentation for telescopes and space observatories requiring minimal energy loss.

Luxury goods

1. Jewelry and Art:

• Lustrous Etherium for crafting unique, high-end designs.

2. High-Performance Watches:

• Use of Etherium in precision engineering for luxury timepieces.

Environmental technology

1. Clean Energy Initiatives:

• Etherium-based technologies to increase the efficiency of carbon capture and storage systems.

2. Water Desalination:

• Superconductive components in energy-efficient desalination plants.

Biological and pathological roles

Biological roles

Etherflora has adapted to environments near mining areas where etherium is present in the soil. These plants absorb trace amounts of etherium, possibly utilizing its unique properties (e.g., conductivity or energy storage) for metabolic or structural purposes. The metallic hues in their leaves suggest that etherium incorporation may alter the plant's structural composition, perhaps strengthening the foliage or providing a protective mechanism against environmental stressors. Etherium also contributes to the bioluminescent properties of Etherflora flowers, either by serving as an energy conduit or by influencing the biochemical reactions responsible for light emission. This adaptation likely aids in attracting pollinators, enhancing reproductive success. Etherflora could serve as bioindicators of etherium-rich soils, influencing the distribution of other organisms in the ecosystem. These plants create vibrant oases that may sustain local biodiversity in otherwise barren regions, suggesting a pivotal ecological role.

Pathological roles

Etherium's presence in the environment may be toxic to organisms not evolved to handle its properties, particularly due to its high density or reactive compounds. The incorporation of etherium into the food chain via Etherflora could lead to bioaccumulation, potentially causing adverse effects in herbivores or other animals consuming these plants. If humans or other intelligent beings interact with Etherflora (e.g., through agriculture or proximity to mining areas), there could be unknown risks from etherium exposure, such as heavy metal poisoning or interference with biological processes.