- This article is about trans-uranic element 120, rubindium. You may be looking for element 37, rubidium.
Rubindium (symbol Rd) is a chemical element, atomic number 120 on the periodic table's revised trans-uranic element series.
Characteristics and history[]
Rubindium, in its most stable form, has an atomic mass of 314, and was discovered by Humans for the first time in asteroids, in the Sol star system's asteroid belt in the year 2038. This crystalline metal is part of the trans-uranic series of heavy elements. (ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual)
Like dilithium, rubindium is able to convert subspace radiation into transtator current. (TOS novel: Prime Directive)
Scarcity limited its use in research applications, but it had some uses in medical and scientific fields. (FASA RPG module: Star Fleet Intelligence Manual)
Stable rubindium was a rare substance, but in the 23rd century, rubindium crystals were used by Starfleet as part of their subcutaneous transponders. While imprisoned on the planet Ekos in 2268, Commander Spock was able to create a crude but powerful laser cutting torch using the crystals in his and James T. Kirk's transponders, and was able to escape from prison. (TOS episode: "Patterns of Force")
In the 2260s, Starfleet Intelligence employed rubindium-transponder transporter recall bracelets in covert assignments. (VAN - Declassified novella: The Stars Look Down)
The planet Talin IV had large deposits of natural rubindium crystals, which the native Talin recognized as having properties beyond that of normal matter. Because rubindium could potentially detect subspace activity in local space, Starfleet's First Contact Office restricted the use of all subspace-based technologies during their study of the planet. (TOS novel: Prime Directive)
In the 2290s, the Federation discovered large quantities of stable rubindium on one of the inner planets of the star system surrounding Orelte. After lengthy negotiations with the Frunalians, the Federation were able to gain mining rights. (TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose)
In the mirror universe, two communications made in the 23rd century triggered vibrations in rubindium crystals being used to study radio waves on a developing planet, allowing a scientist to discover subspace transmission ahead of radio. In less than two decades he had figured out how warp drive worked before his race had invented powered flight. (ST novel: Dark Victory)
In the late 24th century, tricorders used in social sciences had a rubindium emitter instead of a hand sensor, used for mobility tracking individuals in social groups. (Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Players' Guide)
Appendices[]
Background[]
In real-life science, element 120 has yet to be discovered. A placeholder name based on its number, "unbinilium", has been suggested to document the possible existence of this substance. Some models of theoretical science have stated that heavy elements on this scale may be impossible to synthesize or reproduce, and cannot exist in nature. Subspace quantities mentioned in Star Trek may account for the contradiction of this being a natural resource on other worlds.
References[]
- TOS episode: "Patterns of Force"
- ST reference: Star Fleet Medical Reference Manual
- FASA RPG module: Star Fleet Intelligence Manual
- TOS novel: Prime Directive
- Last Unicorn RPG module: Star Trek: The Next Generation Players' Guide
- ST novel: Dark Victory
- TOS - Crucible novel: The Fire and the Rose
- VAN - Declassified novella: The Stars Look Down
External links[]
- Rubindium article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Unbinilium article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.