Name: Pripyium
Other names: Chernobyl Diamond, Metalllic Carbon
Creation: 2481
Creator: Hong Transnewtonics
Uses: Radiation shielding, nuclear power
Discovered during the reconstruction after the Jovian War, Pripyium was the result of a long series experiments looking into the effects of the enlightenment on material physics. It was found that by exposing diamond to the output of a (for the time) extremely high-energy particle accelerator in a certain way, the top layer of the diamond would collapse into an extremely dense, extremely hard, and very brittle material similar in appearance to a dark grey metal. Analysis of the new material ran into problems as the high production cost meant non-destructive examination was preffered. However, these proved difficult as the material seemed to completely absorb x-ray radiation and turned out to be non-magnetic. It was discovered that the carbon atoms making up the material were packed extremely close together, and although constantly shifting around, did not push away from the rest of the material.
After several more experiments, the x-ray resistance was found to also extend to alpha, beta and gamma radiation. The material completely absorbed almost all radiation hitting it, converting the energy into heat, even after testing at the Pripyat site of a large nuclear reactor accident radiation sensors encased within the new material reported radiation levels well below acceptable levels. The new material was name Pripyium after this achievement and entered mass production as radiation shielding far lighter and more effective than its predecessors.
The introduction of Pripyium into the market sparked several breakthroughs in other fields, including starship design, engine production, nuclear power and weapon science.
Pripyium today is one of the cheapest SEMs to produce, and it is a vital component in many technologies used throughout the Terran Sphere.
