Carbonic
Properties
Material Characteristics
Raw carbonic is a green slime indistinguishable from pond scum in appearance. Refined carbonic fuel is similar in appearance to gasoline, but has a slightly green hue and is much denser. Processed carbonic polymers are gray-green with a slightly metallic sheen. Long strands of carbonic polymers are incredibly resilient and flexible, but smaller portions of polymer are brittle.
Physical & Chemical Properties
When raw carbonic is dried or processed into a liquid form it becomes flammable. Liquid carbonic is explosive. Carbonic polymers are stronger than steel but nearly as light as balsa wood.
Geology & Geography
Carbonic farms are often located on water worlds, but the necessary bacteria can be raised in labs nearly anywhere, provided they have access to water and a food supply.
Origin & Source
Carbonic is produced by a specific strain of bacteria for consumption as food. Breeders have developed strains of bacteria that produce far greater amounts of carbonic than what is needed for survival. Some strains have been developed that continue to produce carbonic even in the presence of other food sources, which allows farmers to feed the bacteria much cheaper food while harvesting all the valuable carbonic.
Life & Expiration
Raw carbonic decays after several days. It can be preserved either through drying or storage in an anoxic environment. Carbonic fuel lasts for several months. Carbonic polymers last for decades without significant decay.
History & Usage
History
Carbonic was originally used as a power source for aircraft and surface vessels. Over the centuries, new strains of bacteria have been developed that produce more potent carbonic compounds and new methods of processing carbonic have made it a much higher density energy source than when it was first developed. Further processing of carbonic produced a lightweight but strong and durable polymer. The combination of carbonic fuel to power spacecraft and carbonic polymers to build spacecraft is really the pivotal development that allowed humanity to begin expansion beyond Earth.
Discovery
During the late pre-expansion period on Earth, renewable energy sources were struggling to keep up with the demand for electric power. It was especially difficult to power vehicles using renewable energy as the only portable green energy source was ethanol. Producing ethanol from maize required vast tracts of land dedicated to power production that otherwise could have been used for food production. Scientists developed carbonic as an alternative to ethanol that required far less agricultural space than ethanol.
Everyday use
Carbonic polymer is the main structural material in astronautical engineering. Spacecraft, space stations, and space elevators are all built with carbonic superstructures. Carbonic polymer is also used in the construction of arcologies and other large buildings. Carbonic fuel is mainly used by spacecraft and other vehicles, but it is also used as a primary power source on small outposts and settlements that do not have the infrastructure for larger, more efficient power stations.
Refinement
Raw carbonic is refined to produce liquid carbonic, which is a powerful energy source. Liquid carbonic can be refined further to produce polymers.
Manufacturing & Products
Carbonic is used in fuel production, building materials, aerospace construction, astronautical construction, vehicle construction, and armor plating.
Environmental Impact
Burning of carbonic fuel produces carbon dioxide, a significant contributor to global warming. However, burning carbonic is less polluting than burning fossil fuels and, depending on the planet, may have either a positive or negative impact. Processing carbonic into polymers actually reduces the amount of carbon in the environment and can reduce global warming.
Reusability & Recycling
Carbonic fuel is spent on consumption. Carbonic polymers can be recycled, but the structural integrity is lost and the polymer must be disintegrated into slush and refined again.
Distribution
Trade & Market
Carbonic is a common material found throughout known space as the bacteria that produce carbonic can be grown essentially anywhere. The value in carbonic production comes from the high demand across multiple energy and construction sectors.
Storage
Raw carbonic must either be dried or stored in special anoxic tanks to prevent degradation. Liquid carbonic can be stored in unpressurized tanks, but due to storage and transportation concerns with spaceflight it is typically pressurized. Solid carbonic polymers require no special storage treatment.
Type
Biomaterial
Value
Low
Rarity
Common
Color
Dark green
Common State
Sludge
Related Locations
Comments