The Higginson-Meiers Elements

The Higginson-Meiers Elements These elements were discovered shortly before the Great Burn engulfed Earth by Johann Higginson and Amelia Meiers. Their discovery ushered in a new, albeit shortlived, Golden Age for humanity. The elements remain unnamed to this day in honor of the scientists, who unfortunately passed away prior to their naming.
Consisting of seven new elements, their discovery completely changed the way human's built, consumed, and understood the laws of nature. Physics that existed for millenia was immediately found obsolete. New structures, vehicles, and cures for diseases were found shortly after their discovery, but with all things, humans found a way to pervert these boons. New and terrible weapons were born and nations with an abundace of these elements rushed to gain supremacy. Within a generation, Earth went from supporting nearly 10 billion humans to only supporting a mere 500 million in the event known as the Great Burn.
In present day times the elements are the cornerstone of all civilization. Despite their abundance, it appears that the quantities on Earth and the surrounding planets is dwindling. The leadership of the Terran Ascendency have stockpiled much of the resources and began the Vanguard Project to search for more outside of the Sol system.

Utility

1.) Element 1: A new form of steel which is much lighter and stronger. 2.) Element 2: A new fuel source which is highly efficient and provides no discernable byproduct from its use. Equally effective in atmosphere and in space. 3.) Element 3: A new conductive material used in circuits and processors providing faster speed and data transmission efficiency 4.) Element 4: A chemical reactant. Mixed with another element (for example Oxygen), when released into an atmosphere, it begins to slowly remove other elements and replaces them with the mixed element. Primarily used for terraforming. 5.) Element 5: A reactant. Used to create all manner of weapons of a physical/chemical variety. Cannons, missiles, bombs, etc. all use this element. 6.) Element 6: A crystalline element. Used to create energy weapons/defenses. Lasers, shields, plasma weapons, etc. all use this element. 7.) Element 7: An odd element used to focus psionic energies. Used in concert with the other elements to allow for faster than light travel through the newly created gate networks.

Manufacturing

All the elements on their own are unable to perform the feats that they make capable and must be mixed with previous technologies (such as steel and copper) to perform their acts.

Inventor(s)

Numerous scientists were involved with taking the discovered elements and how to make them practical. No single individual can be credited with the creation of the resulting technologies.

Access & Availability

The elements are readily available and not strictly controlled. Although powerful, five of the seven are not useful in every day life.

Complexity

To those unaware of the elements, they are extraordinarily complex. For those aware, it is as easy to use as water.

Discovery

Discovered by Johann Higginson and Amelia Meiers while held in captivity by the New Dawn terrorists. The technology was recovered by U.N. forces in a failed attempt to save the scientists.