We have identified two main types of crystalline artifacts from Planet Knossos. They have distinct densities and colors, which we have designated as Type A and Type B crystals.
We exposed samples of both Type A and Type B crystals to focused photon stimulation, using lasers of a range of wavelengths. Each crystal type reacted differently to photon stimulation, but both have interesting possibilities.
Type A Crystal
Our initial experiment on the Type A crystal was to determine its transparency to a range of wavelengths. We found the crystal to be perfectly transparent at wavelengths below 0.1 nm. However, we noticed a peculiar heat spike on the detector when stimulating the sample with light at 0.01 nm.
Upon recalibration of the receivers, we detected that instead of the lasers being even slightly attenuated by passing through the sample, they actually increased in power. Reaching a peak increase of 250% at 0.01 nm. This was not just a monetary aberration, we sustained the reaction for an hour before halting the experiment to analyse the sample.
Scanning electron microscopy and non-baryonic holography revealed a degradation in the crystal lattice after prolonged exposure to high energy photons.
We then performed a prolonged exposure of the same sample to lasers at 100 nm. We expected an increase of temperature in the sample, as the sample is only 50% transparent at that wavelength. However, the temperature of the sample only rose slightly. After an hour we halted the experiment and examined the sample again.
We noticed a 10% recovery in the previously damaged crystal lattice. After exposing the sample to 100 nm lasers for an additional 9 hours, the crystal lattice was restored to 97% integrity.
We believe that the Type A crystal has practical potential as a sort of photonic battery. The lattice can store energy at an incredibly high energy density, charged and discharged by varying the wavelength of light input.
Type B Crystal
After the promising results of the Type A crystal, we repeated the experiments with the Type B crystal, and found no corresponding remission reactions. After further experiments, however, we did find an effect on the Higgs field.
Stimulating Type B crystals with lasers of varying power and wavelength, we were able to measure a range of perturbations in the Higgs field. Reaching a peak of 1,446 micro Huygens at 430 kW of 0.01 nm light. As you know, Higgs field perturbation is an essential component to hyperspace rift formation.
I don’t believe the peak reaction of Type B crystal at 0.01 nm is a coincidence. Instead I think that the Daam K’Vosh created these materials specifically to be used in conjunction.
Implications
Through a combination of Type A and Type B crystals, we can efficiently create a powerful Higgs field perturbation in a compact device, far in advance of current jump drive technology.
Using the power of a small capital ship reactor we can stimulate the Type A crystal at 0.01 nm, and use the boosted power output to energize the Type B crystal to form a hyperspace rift. The Type A crystal would be degraded by this process, especially at the high power levels required for a practical jump drive. Regenerating the crystal is indeed possible, but it would be a lengthy process potentially requiring on-shore facilities.
In a recent expedition to Planet Knossos, myself and several other HS> ships retrieved additional artifacts from the Nomad installation. For this expedition we looked specifically for artifacts containing metallic substances. We acquired several transports full of artifacts with the diligent work of Alberto Cruz in the Molino. This was enough to not only study, but to sell the remainder for a significant profit at Fontana Freeport.
Unlike the crystalline artifacts examined previously, we only identified a single type of metallic substance. This substance is a complex alloy of exotic metal isotopes, incorporated in a non-metallic crystalline lattice. Synthesizing this material is beyond our current understanding of materials science, but we are able to readily harvest and analyze it from the installation over Knossos.
Physical Properties
We have tentatively called the substance Nanocrystal Alloy. It has an exceptionally low density, with an impressive compressive strength of 700 GPa. We measured a tensile strength of 390 GPa before our testing apparatus broke.
The samples exhibited no change in physical properties when cooled down to 0.1 K. Nor when heated to 4200K. Thermal expansion and contraction only had a minor dimensional effect, with a 4% change between 0.1K and 4,200 K. Above 4,200 K, however, the sample began to deteriorate. The metallic alloy began to melt, and at 5,000 K the crystal lattice appeared to burn, despite the lack of any oxidizer in the test chamber.
Electromagnetic Properties
Nanocrystal Alloy is a superconductor up to the failure point of 4,200 K. We did, however, notice something very odd. On the first test we passed 4 A through the sample as we raised the temperature of the sample to 4,500 K. Unlike previous tests, the sample did not deteriorate. With further testing we developed a link between electrical current passing through the sample and an increase in failure point. We believe that this also corresponds with an increase in tensile and compressive strength, but we don’t have robust enough equipment to verify that at the moment.
Along with an increase in thermal resistance, we noticed an increase in the reflectivity of the sample. Even though the sample was not polished, it visibly became more reflective as we passed a current through it. We set up an additional experiment to evaluate this property.
As you can see, Nanocrystal Alloy exhibits markedly different behavior when exposed to light at the 0.01 nm wavelength. This is similar to the behavior we’ve previously noted from crystalline artifacts, and as before we do not believe this to be a coincidence. We believe that this was deliberately engineered by the Daam K’Vosh.
These properties appeared to hold for both alternating and direct current. An additional property was discovered under alternating current, however. We exposed a sample previously damaged by compressive testing to high amperage, high frequency alternating current. For the first three seconds of the test the damaged sample did not exhibit superconducting properties, but nor did it show an increase in temperature as would be expected. Non-baryonic holographic examination of the sample after the test showed that all previous damage had been completely repaired.
Conclusions and Further Research
We believe that Nanocrystal Alloy has potential as a construction material in high energy applications. Although we cannot synthesize it, Dr Pérez believes that a combination of cold forging and electrically induced regeneration will allow us to form it as needed.
For our next project we will need additional support, as we would like to explore the properties of the nomad vessels themselves. This is beyond the science division, as the nomad remains will have to be sourced directly from the nomads themselves. We only ask that the samples are more or less intact, but we understand the difficulties in decommissioning hostile vessels.
Recent work by diligent freelancers and some of our fellow Maltese, we have successfully gathered a large amount of Xeno Relics in our research labs at Corsica Shipyard. We have spent the following weeks categorizing and isolating the currently understood components of the relics, as well as isolating additional trace materials for further analysis.
Processing Techniques
In this process we have developed several techniques for rapidly differentiating between material types, which we believe can be also applied at the initial gathering stage. Illuminating the Relics with ultra low wavelength light can elicit a detectable response from the presence of Type A and Type B crystal, as previously reported. We have produced a prototype modification package for standard mining arrays which (in combination with a software module) can use these effects to dramatically boost harvesting efficiency.
Analysis of Existing Methods
Fortuitously, one of our patrols, lead by our esteemed Alpha Explorer himself happened to encounter a Corsair Miner at the nomad installation in the atmosphere of Planet Knossos. With some prompting by Capitana Montalban the savage demonstrated their mining techniques. Unfortunately the mined relics were lost in subsequent battle damage, but the testimony of the miner himself, as well as the sensor logs proved very fascinating. It appears that they are using a similar technique, though with far less refinement.
[26.10.2021 20:10:10] HS>MNS-Taranto: ?:Gracias, my beloved imbecile. Response missing, insufficient transmitter power.
[26.10.2021 20:10:18] HS>MNS-Taranto: ?:Stealing? It's ours.
[26.10.2021 20:10:37] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: Corsair thinks he owns something, that's cute.
[26.10.2021 20:10:39] HS>El_Cid: And here I thought corsairs mined by hand, in hardsuits.
[26.10.2021 20:10:41] DTR-Topo: I would like to object, but it appears I'm outmanned, outgunned, and admittedly
[26.10.2021 20:10:42] DTR-Topo: outgutted
[26.10.2021 20:10:43] HS>MNS-Taranto: *chuckles*
[26.10.2021 20:11:07] HS>El_Cid: All by your lonesome out here? No transports? No warships?
[26.10.2021 20:11:15] DTR-Topo: Oh, the transports come and go
[26.10.2021 20:11:22] HS>El_Cid: Did you do something to aggravate your superiors?
[26.10.2021 20:11:39] DTR-Topo: I was promised great riches
[26.10.2021 20:11:44] DTR-Topo: and well, here I am
[26.10.2021 20:12:06] HS>MNS-Taranto: ?id they?
[26.10.2021 20:12:27] DTR-Topo: As I am certain you are aware
[26.10.2021 20:12:27] DTR-Topo: Those shinies are worth quite a bit
[26.10.2021 20:12:57] HS>El_Cid: Lets take some of these back to corsica. Perhaps we can study their mining techniques.
[26.10.2021 20:13:04] HS>MNS-Taranto: ?:Are they shiny?
[26.10.2021 20:13:09] DTR-Topo: Well, some of them [26.10.2021 20:13:14] DTR-Topo: if you use UV light
[26.10.2021 20:13:20] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: It is agreeable, Montalban. Take some.
[26.10.2021 20:13:36] HS>El_Cid: Interesting, have you been doing some research on that aspect corsair?
[26.10.2021 20:13:37] DTR-Topo: Why am I telling you that again!?
[26.10.2021 20:13:44] DTR-Topo: Oh, it's common knowledge
[26.10.2021 20:13:49] DTR-Topo: I thought you own those
[26.10.2021 20:13:54] HS>MNS-Taranto: ?:Maybe you speak to yourself.
[26.10.2021 20:13:55] DTR-Topo: you should know basic facts like that
[26.10.2021 20:13:58] HS>El_Cid: We know much. We say little.
[26.10.2021 20:14:17] HS>El_Cid: Por favor, mine some more. I wish to observe.
[26.10.2021 20:14:29] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: *grins*
[26.10.2021 20:14:35] HS>El_Cid: Don't let my polite speech mislead you into thinking it is a request.
[26.10.2021 20:14:52] DTR-Topo: Right
[26.10.2021 20:14:57] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: Stay alert, amigos. Usually, miners do not come alone; unless this one is just too bold for the job.
[26.10.2021 20:15:05] HS>El_Cid: Gracias.
[26.10.2021 20:17:08] DTR-Topo: Usually I am far more efficient, but under these circumstances, my hand is not as sure as usually
[26.10.2021 20:17:09] HS>El_Cid: Yes, it is illuminating.
[26.10.2021 20:18:09] DTR-Topo: *beads of sweat can be seen under the visor*
[26.10.2021 20:18:24] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: To be honest, we are looking some worthy foes as target practices.
[26.10.2021 20:18:30] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: I see we have found none.
[26.10.2021 20:19:04] HS>Destino-Final: Alarcon: We should stop wasting time here and proceed to our next destination.
[26.10.2021 20:19:26] HS>El_Cid: Remember this day, savage. For mercy for your kind is rare.
[26.10.2021 20:19:40] DTR-Topo: Si si, I certainly will
[26.10.2021 20:19:46] DTR-Topo: I am not paid enough for this job
Next Steps
I request that Alpha Command permit us to move these mining modification packages into wide production, so they can be applied throughout the fleet. I believe this can allow us to not only reliably harvest Xeno Relics for our own experimentation, but profitably sell them to third parties.
Design of A Novel Engine Using Stimulated Nomad Tissue
E. Pérez et al
Thanks to the diligent work by our comrades in the military division we have gathered a significant amount of nomad remains of varying types at our research labs at Corsica Shipyard. My team has spent the following weeks analyzing the remains and identifying still viable components. Of particular interest is one “organ” that appears to be part of the nomad propulsion system. Given its similarity to some known sea organisms, we have named it the osculum.
Specimen Regeneration and Observation
Through immersion of the most viable samples in baths of liquid cardamine, and exposure to broad spectrum radiation our team has managed to stimulate regeneration in several osculum samples. Several days ago we mounted the most intact sample in a testing frame and attempted to stimulate it into action.
After several variations of pseudo-neural stimulation, we successfully achieved a reaction from the organ. A high energy event occurred within the osculum, resulting in the emission of a small amount of plasma, photons with energies up to 150 keV, and a shower of neutrinos.
Building upon this discovery, we have started the construction of a prototype apparatus to explore using these nomad osculums in place of conventional propulsion. This would allow us to reduce our dependence on imported H-Fuel, and replace it with our own locally produced resources.
Experimental Design
This diagram is a cross section of the planned Nomad Osculum Vehicle Accelerator experiment. An osculum is suspended within a Nanocrystal Allow containment vessel. This containment vessel is reinforced by passing a current of 10,000 Amperes through it, resulting in high reflectivity and thermal tolerance.
On the “back” side of the osculum, we bathe it in a concentrated liquid cardamine solution. This provides both nutrients and a fuel source for the organ, as it can extract hydrogen from the solution for fusion. Electrodes embedded within the retaining brackets stimulate the osculum to produce the fusion reaction.
High energy photons and fusion products are emitted from the osculum’s orifice, proceeding down the exhaust channel. Lining the walls of that channel are sets of crystals. These are arranged in series, with a ring of Type A crystals followed by a ring of Type B crystals. The Type-A energizer crystals absorb and reemit low wavelength light emitted by the fusion reaction, with geometry of the crystal directing the light into the section set of Accelerators cut from Type-B crystals. These Accelerators induce a sharp Higgs field gradient within the exhaust channel, further accelerating the fusion products.
If the design performs according to expectations, we hope to achieve a specific impulse above 10,000 seconds, and a sustained operation time of several hours.