Replicator

A replicator (or food slot) is a device that utilises transporter technology to dematerialize quantities of matter and then rematerialize the matter in the form of another object, such as food or equipment. By the 24th century, replicators were a common piece of equipment aboard Federation starships and facilities.

However, many other races in the galaxy had not developed replicator technology and are often interested in learning about the technology. When the USS Voyager was pulled into the Delta Quadrant in 2371, the Kazon became increasingly interested in replicator technology after they observed that it could seemingly create water from the air. Later attempts to try and create their own replicators led to an accident, and the various Kazon sects then attempted to acquire the technology directly from Voyager. (VOY episodes: "Caretaker" and "State of Flux").