Lithium
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
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| Name: | Lithium |
| Symbol: | Li |
| Atomic Number: | 3 |
| Atomic Weight: | 6 |
Lithium is a chemical element, number 3 on the periodic table. It is the lightest alkali metal on the table, with an atomic weight of 3. (TNG: "Rascals")
A special crystal form of this element has a physical external structure resembling quartz and was used in lithium crystal circuits in the power generation systems of Starfleet vessels in 2265 and 2266. (TOS: "Where No Man Has Gone Before", "Mudd's Women") Large complexes were required to "crack" the lithium over long periods of time to produce useable products for use into at least the mid-2260s.
- Lithium was originally used as the basis of power generation and warp technology. However, lithium is a real element with known properties. Dilithium was invented to allow for a fuel material with unknown properties. (Star Trek Encyclopedia)
