Nitrium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nitrium is fictional metal in the Star Trek television series. The fictional element is distinct from the real element, nitrogen.
Despite being a ubiquious metallic element in the Star Trek technology, it is only mentioned once in Star Trek: The Next Generation in the episode, "The Cost of Living" [1], which guest starred Majel Barrett, a regular on the original Star Trek television series and the wife of the Star Trek creator and producer, the late Gene Roddenberry
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[edit] Source
The element is a naturally occuring metal [2] prevalent in asteroids. There has been no mention to the presence or absence of the substance on Earth.
[edit] Functional Properties
It is widely used in the construction of Federation starships, notably on the Galaxy-class starships. The metal is used in a variety of areas, including in the interior construction of starships [3], life support systems, computers, and engines. [4]
Nitrium is also present in dilithium chambers, the energy source for starships [5].
The property that contributes to the metal's usefulness is its capability to shield radiation. As a result it is used in damping field generators, power transfer conduits, and the matter/antimatter reaction chamber. [6] In real life, lead shielding is effective against gamma rays and x-rays due to its high atomic number. There are no sources to indicate whether or not nitrium similarly has a high atomic number.
No elemental symbol, atomic number, or atomic mass has been assigned to this element as it is fictious.
[edit] Vulnerabilities
There are parasites which consume nitrium. This threatened the USS Enterprise-D in 2368 when the parasitic infection risked the ship's integrity. [7]
[edit] External links
- Nitrium Memory Alpha, the Star Trek Wiki
- Mineralogy of Star Trek, [1]
[edit] References
- ^ http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Cost_of_Living
- ^ http://www.midwinter.com/~koreth/particles/
- ^ http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/technology/article/70182.html
- ^ http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Nitrium
- ^ http://www.midwinter.com/~koreth/particles/
- ^ http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/library/technology/article/70182.html
- ^ http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Nitrium
