Arasma (ah-RAZ-mah)

Written by Sierra Brown.
Artwork by Sierra Brown.

A reactive resource discovered and used extensively by the Sol Empire for energy storage, weaponry, and kinetic power generation.

Properties

Material Characteristics

Arasma is commonly described as a fluid-like red-purple gas, denser than air. The exact coloration of the material seems to vary depending on the exact source materials used in manufacturing processes, ranging from an almost blue-purple to a dark red in its 'purest' form.

Physical & Chemical Properties

On its own, Arasma is a stable substance and safe for storage and handling and is commonly described as feeling cooler than the air around it by researchers. The gas is also able to take and hold an electrical charge much like a capacitor, though safety precautions mandate keeping Arasma uncharged while stored and not in use as this electrical buildup could be discharged if in contact with a person, or cause a violent reaction if the gas comes into contact with Neon.

Compounds

When combined with Neon gas while a positive charge is applied, the two materials react in a violent burst of superheated and supercharged 'plasma' and a small, localized electro-magnetic burst. Research into uses for this reaction are underway, including uses in weaponry, power generation, kinetic motors, and fireworks.

Origin & Source

Arasma is currently produced en-masse by Arasik-Jovale Incorporated using an undisclosed process. The only thing known about the source of the material is that organic matter, typically in the form of unwanted components from slaughtered livestock, is used in the process.

History & Usage

Discovery

The gas was originally discovered by accident in an Arasik-Jovale Incorporated research lab. Scientists were working on ways to rapidly re-heat frozen foods, when one of their tested methods resulted in a 'dense, reddish-purple gas unlike anything [they] had seen before.' The researchers decided to set their original project aside and study this gas, and eventually found it had capacitive properties while being stable and safe to handle. The corporation immediately began funding additional research into the material, naming it 'Arasma' as a combination of the words 'Arasik' and 'Plasma'.

Everyday use

Since its initial discovery, Arasma has become common place in electrical capacitors, rechargeable batteries, weapons known as Pulse Cannons, fireworks, and even in ongoing development of an Arasma-Neon fueled internal combustion engine.

Industrial Use

Power Storage

Main article: Arasmic Batteries

Due to its relative stability and ability to hold a charge, Arasma has been used in electrical systems as batteries and capacitors. So long as the material housing the Arasma is non-conductive and is not one of the elements known to react when coupled with Arasma, the usage of the gas in such systems is completely safe. An Arasik-Jovale Incorporated sponsored study released in 224 AU showed that batteries using Arasma could power devices three times longer than the common, popular batteries of the time and had a total lifetime twice as long. Now, it's nearly impossible to find a battery, capacitor, or any other device that stores electrical charges that isn't using Arasma in the Sol Empire.

Engines

Main article: Arasmic Engines

Using a similar method as pulse cannons, Arasma based engines operate off the exothermic reactions with positive ionic charges and the element Neon. Instead of being designed to propel supercharged Arasma at a target, however, these engines are designed to convert this reaction into usable mechanical energy, similar to a modern-day combustion engine. The internals of the engines must be made of a non-conductive material that can withstand high temperatures, however, and EM shielding is recommended due to electro-magnetic pulse build-up generated by the supercharged Arasma. Exhaust is also a concern, the Arasma remains superheated and supercharged for some time even after the useable energy has been converted by the engine. These types of engines are still being developed and are only seen in more cutting-edge systems. Ion drive thrusters and standard electrical engines are still the most common-place source of power and thrust within the Sol Empire.

Energy Weapons

Main article: Pulse Cannons

While not the first species to have attained this technology, the Sol Empire is the first and currently only human power to have successfully developed and begun mass production of energy-based munitions and armament. These generally take the form of what the Empire calls 'Pulse Cannons' - Weapons which fire high-energy pulses of Arasma. The pulses are formed by a shell containing a chamber of Arasma and a chamber of Neon. When fired, the Arasma is given a positive ionic charge which then combines and reacts with the Neon, unleashing an exothermic 'pulse' of energy. Pulse Cannons use specially constructed barrels to control and guide this pulse toward the intended target, which is then struck by the superheated and supercharged Arasma. These pulses also tend to produce small, localized 'electromagnetic pulses' in the weapon firing them, along their flight path, and at the impact site. These pulses are relatively weak, however, and are more considered an irrelevant side effect than a useful feature as a result. Other cultures typically refer to pulse cannons as plasma or laser rifles.

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Table of Contents

Type

Metamaterial

Rarity

Common in the Sol Empire and Sol-Lassi Tribe. Rare everywhere else.

Color

Red-purple

Density

Denser than air

Common State

Gas

Related Items

• Pulse Cannons

Related Technologies

• Arasmic Engines
• Arasmic Batteries

Appendices

Appendix A: Related Articles

Appendix B: Glossary of Terms & Definitions