Carboplast
"Carboplast is the backbone of the modern supply chain, the material equivalent of water—cheap, abundant, and essential. It democratized manufacturing centuries ago, ensuring that even the most remote asteroid colony or deep-space fleet could produce durable goods without reliance on exotic imports. While no longer cutting-edge, its sheer ubiquity makes it invaluable; any polity that controls a Carboplast industrial base controls the baseline of economic stability."
Ubiquitous and Cheap
Carboplast is an easily fabricated bioplastic that serves as one of the most ubiquitous materials in human society. Derived from a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus oryzae, its precursor form is a white, non-Newtonian fluid that responds to acoustics. This allows it to be shaped and colored using sound waves before being hardened through exposure to high-band photons. The duration and energy level of this exposure determine its final properties—low-energy, short-duration treatments result in a fabric-like, flexible material, while prolonged exposure to gamma rays produces a rigid, durable substance. By corrugating the material during this process, its hardness can be further increased, making it suitable for structural applications. While synthetic Carboplast can be fabricated in standard industrial replicators, it is generally of lower quality and degrades faster than its organic counterpart.
Ancient
The origins of Carboplast production predate the First Terran Empire, making it one of humanity’s most well-established and widespread manufacturing techniques. Over millennia, its refinement and production processes have been streamlined to the point where its industrial base is vast, fully capable of meeting the needs of human society at every level. Though once considered an advanced material, by the Age of Convergence, it is viewed as rudimentary—commonplace in every colony, habitat, and fleet. Its ease of fabrication, versatility, and ability to be shaped on demand make it indispensable, particularly in remote or resource-scarce environments. Entire off-world settlements have been built using Carboplast as their primary construction material, with settlers using simple acoustic tools and directed photon emitters to mold walls, furniture, and protective gear from raw precursor fluid.
Uses
As a soft material, Carboplast is found anywhere fabric might be used, from clothing and upholstery to deployable shelters and impact-absorbing padding. In its rigid form, it is a staple for casing electronics, constructing vehicles, and forming the outer layers of buildings. While its basic hardened form offers limited protection, corrugated Carboplast is often used as an entry-level armor, commonly issued to militias, security forces, and industrial workers in hazardous environments. Despite its low status in military applications compared to advanced composites and metal alloys, its affordability and availability ensure that it remains a vital material across human space. Whether used in everyday consumer goods or as a survival necessity on the frontier, Carboplast is a constant presence in human civilization.
Comments