ENGINEERING

PHRASES, TOOLS and MORE
7-2002

WORDS IN YELLOW ARE RECENT ADDITIONS.

ENGINEERING TOOLS

ENGAGE... PAGE

ENGINEERING TECHNOBABBLE GENERATOR

MONICA'S MAIN PAGE

ACB-- Abbrevation for annular confinement beam.

Access Terminal--Systems connector port used aboard Borg ships to allow individual Borg to link to their collective.

Access Tunnel--Series of passageways traversing Deep Space stations, filled with circuitry and other utilities that may be accessed for repairs. Similar to Jefferies Tubes aboard Starships.

Actinides--Radioactive compounds often found in uranium ore which make it difficult for sensors to operate effectively.

Adaptive Interface Link--Computer connection used to exchange information between two computer systems of totally alien origin.

Air Tram--Transit vehicle used in the San Francisco Bay area in the 23rd century.

Airlock--Aboard a spaceship or space station, an airlock is a passageway that permits personnel to pass from an area in which an atmosphere is maintained, into an area where no atmosphere, or a different atmosphere, exists.

Alternative Warp-- a FTL drive that exists of a negative magnetic corridor in which universes come together. The corridor is not supposed to breach.

AMU--Antimatter unit.

Android --Mechanical life form. Appears, reacts, tthhinks, learns and acts like a human. The android Data in The Next Generation has a - positronic brain.

Annular Confinement Beam--Abbreviated as ACB. A cylindrically shaped forcefield used to insure that a person being transported remains within the beam. Failure to remain within the confinement fields can cause a dangerous release of beam energy, possibly fatally injuring the transport subject and those nearby.

Anodyne Relay--Power transfer device used aboard Federation starships.

Anti-back Flow Valve--One-way check valve in the plasma vents of a starship, intended to prevent foreign matter from entering the ship through the vents.

Antichroniton--Antiparticle of the chroniton. Chroniton particles in the body can be elimated by exposure to a precisely modulated field of antichroniton particles.

Antigrav--Portable device used aboard Federation starships for handling cargo and other items too large for a single crew member to carry. Antigravs are also built into small equipment pallets used for handling cargo as well as other uses. Antigravs can become unreliable in the presence of high radiation levels.

Antilepton Interference--Energy particle field that can interfere with subspace communications.

Antimatter Containment--In warp propulsion systems, antimatter containment refers to the use of magnetic confinement fields to prevent antimatter from physically touching the surface of the storage pod or any other part of the starship. Failure of antimatter containment is a serious malfunction; such a core breach or containment breach generally results in total destruction of the spacecraft.

Antimatter Converter Assembly--component of starship warp drive systems.

Antimatter--Matter whose electrical charge properties are the opposite of "normal" matter. For example, a "normal" proton has a positive charge, but an antiproton has a negative charge. When a particle of antimatter is brought into contact with an equivalent particle of normal matter, both particles are annihilated, and a considerable amount of energy is released. The controlled annihilation of matter and antimatter is used as the power source for the warp drive systems used aboard Federation starships.

Antimatter Pod--Magnetic confinement bottle used for the storage of antimatter fuel in a Federation starship. Antimatter pods were designed to prevent the highly volitile antimatter from coming into physical contact with the structure  of the spacecraft. In an emergency, antimatter pods could be ejected from the vehicle.

Antiprotons--Subatomic particles identical to protons except for electrical charge.

Antithoron Radiation--Energetic antiparticles. Antithoron bombardment is used to decontaminate a planetary crust before polyferranide can be excavated.

Anyon-- Particles produced by the interaction between phased matter and normal matter.

Anyon Emitter--Engineering device used aboard Federation starships.

Aqueduct Systems--Network of canals and aboveground water conduits that provide water for human consumption, sanitation, and agriculture.

Arch--An inner doorway in some holodeck entrances aboard Federation starships. When used, the arch can be a demarcation between the simulated world of the holodeck, and the outside world of starship corridors. Often holodeck programs conceal the arch until it is made visible by a verbal command.

Arva Nodes--Term in an unknown alien language for machinery roughly equivalent to a Bussard Collector.

Asymetric Encryption Circuit--Data-processing component used in a Starfleet security protocol system.

Atavachron--Temporal portal developed on planet Sarpeidon to travel through time. The Atavachron altered a time traveler's cellular structure, making it possible to survive in earlier environments, but also making it impossible to return to the present without reversing the alteration.

Atmosphere Conditioning Pumps--Part of a starship's life support system.

Autonomous Regeneration Sequencer--Borg assimilation device.

Autosequencers--A subsystem of a starship's transporter that controls the actual transport process.

Auxiliary Control--Secondary command room on the original Enterprise also known as the Emergency Manual Monitor.

Auxiliary Control Center--Backup command facility on Constitution class starships that allowed operation of basic functions such as navigation if the main bridge became inoperative.

Axionic Chip--Component of an exocomp's neural computing system.

Avidyne Engines--A type of impulse engines utilized in old Constellation class starships.

Baristatic Filter--Device used in a planet's atmosphere to remove air pollution on a large scale.

Baryon Sweep--High-frequency plasma field used for removal of baryon particle contamination from starships. The process is dangerous to living tissue and requires complete evacuation of starship personnel.

Bearing--In celestial navigation, a mathematical expression describing a direction in space with relationship to a space vehicle. A bearing measures the angular difference between the current forward direction of the spacecraft and the direction being described. The first number in a bearing describes an azimuth in degrees, and the second describes an elevation. For example, a bearing of 000 mark 0 describes a direction directly ahead of the vessel. A bearing of 330 mark 15 describes a direction to the port side (left) of the ship, somewhat above the centerline of the vessel.

Bemonite--Metallic ore. Bemonite tends to inhibit energy propagation such as that employed in a transporter beam.

Beta 5 Computer--Computer of extraterrestrial origin, used by Gary Seven to support operations on Earth in 1968.

Beta Matrix Compositor--Main component of a plasma distribution manifold of Cardassian manufacture. Beta matrix compositors cannot be reproduced with replicator technology.

Beta-tachyon--Form of particle that can exist only at faster-than-light velocities.

Bilitrium--Crystalline compound that is an extremely rare energy source. When used in conjunction with an antimatter converter, it becomes a powerful explosive.

Biochips--Cybernetic implants surgically imbedded into bodies of the Borg. They serve to enhance their physical abilities and synthesize any organic molecules needed by their biological tissues. The Borg are dependent on the implants, and would die if the biochips are removed.

Biofilter, Transporter--A subsystem of the transporter designed to scan an incoming transporter beam prior to materialization, and remove potentially harmful disease and virus contamination. The biofilter could be programmed against a wide range of disease organisms, but was only effective against organisms so programmed.

Biomechanical Maintenance Program--Software incorporated into Cmdr. Data's positronic network. It kept him physically healthy and rarely in need of professional services.

Bio-neural Circuitry--Advanced computer technology using synthetic neural cells for data processing. Bio-neural circuitry could organize and process complex information faster and more efficiently than traditional optical processors.

Bio-neural Gel Pack--Component of a bio-neural computer system consisting of a flexible, liquid-tight package containing synthetic neural cells in a gelatinous organic medium. The gel packs were designed for convenient management of bio-neural circuitry, and could be easily swapped out as needed. Bio-neural processors are vulnerable to viral and other infections, which could adversely affect system performance. Not standard on Federation starships, although a few use them.

Bioplast Sheeting--Material used in the construction of the android Data.

Bioship--Spaceship made of biomatter.

Bi-Polar Flow Junction--Part of a runabout's exhaust system.

Bipolar Torch--Powerful cutting tool used aboard starships and stations.

Bitanium--Metal used in Cmdr. Data's neural pathways.

Blast Shutters--Protective view port covers used on Starfleet ships such as runabouts. Blast shutters can be lowered in place to prevent damage from external objects or other hazards.

Blind Beam-out--Transporter technique usually employed as an emergency measure, in which all life-forms in a given area are transported as a group instead  of each pattern being isolated before transport.

Blue Alert--Aboard Federation starships with the ability of planet-fall, blue alert is a state of readiness for landing operations. Blue alert notifies the ship's crew to occupy Code Blue stations, and is ordered prior to the starship's landing on a planet and prior to liftoff. A starship commander should not order the start of descent until all decks report that condition blue has been set.

Borg Organelle--Tiny subcellular nanite that is introduced  into a drone candidate by the Borg during assimilation. Organelles regulate cell functions in a Borg drone.

Boridium Power Converter--Component of an exocomp used to provide energy for the device's internal functions.

Boronite--Construction material used in the fabrication of Vostigye space stations. Boronite, which is an extremely rare mined substance, is the only raw material known that can be used to create Omega molecules.

Broad-spectrum Warp Field--Subspace bubble, also referred to as an inverse warp field, capable of interfering with the structure of a quantum fissure.

Brone--Photometric projection of a Vori soldier, part of an elaborate mind-control technique used by the Vori military to conscript new soldiers.

Buffer--Cybernetic device used by the Bynars to transfer information to one another.

Bussard Collectors--Large electromagnetic devices located at the front of the warp drive nacelles of some Federation starships. The Bussard collectors created a large magnetic field used to attract interstellar hydrogen gas that could be used as fuel by the ship's fusion reactors.

Carbon Reaction Chambers--Engineering term used to describe carbon-lined containment vessels used in Cardassian nuclear fusion reactors.

Carbon 60--Isotope of the element carbon. Carbon 60 is used in the construction of Vostigye space stations.

Carburetor--Mechanical device used in ancient internal combustion engines to charge air with hydrocarbons to increase volatility.

Cargo Bay--Storage area aboard a space vehicle for freight, supplies, and other payload stored for shipment.

Cargo Module--A variety of different storage containers used by Starfleet and other agencies for safe shipping and handling of freight and payload.

Cascade Anomaly--Progressive and escalating failure within a complex system such as a positronic matrix.

Cascade Virus--Sophisticated computer software weapon.  The virus affects all of the computer memory cores aboard a starship or station.

Central Control Complex--Device used by the android Norman to control and direct the 207, 809 androids on a planet ruled by Harry Mudd in 2267.

Chambers Coil--Component of a starship's communications system.

Chromodynamic Power Module--Power system employed by Pralor Automated Personnel Units. Chromodynamic power module receptacles were energized by tripolymer plasma.

Chromodynamic Shield--Energy field. Chromodynamic shields can block the rejuvenating effects of metaphasic radiation found in the Briar Patch.

Chromoelectric Force Field--Protective energy shield.

Chromoelectric pulse--Energy discharge.

Chroniton Particles--Subatomic particles that transmit temporal quanta.

Class-5 Intelligence Drone--Small automated sensor platform. Starfleet often uses class-5 drones to monitor spacecraft activity in remote regions without the need to deploy starship assets.

Class-5 Probe--Medium-range reconnaissance probe, equipped with passive sensors and recording systems.

Class-1 Sensor Probe--An instrumented torpedo launched from Federation starships for investigation into areas that one might not wish to take the starship. The class-1 probe carries a very wide range of scientific sensing equipment.

Class-2 Shuttlecraft--Starfleet designation for shuttles with small crew cabins and very limited amenities. Class-2 shuttles include shuttlecraft of types 6, 8. and 9.

Class-3 Probe--Autonomous free-flying remote data gathering device used by the Federation Starfleet. Class-3 probes are designed to have an extremely low sensor profile and emission, making them suitable for use behind enemy lines.

Class-4 Cloak--Invisibility screen generator used by Klingon spacecraft.

Cleaning Processor--Part of a starship's solid-waste-recycling system. The processor was used for sterilization and recycling of clothing.

Coaxial Warp--Form of warp travel that works by locally folding space. The core of the coaxial warp drive manipulates the geometry of incoming particles, which bends space. The field of bent space is called coaxial space. Starfleet engineers consider this warp drive as hypothetical. Coaxial warp is much faster than conventional warp, but it's unstable because flows of instable particles entering the core destabilize the coaxial field.

Cochrane Distortion--A characteristic fluctuation in the phase of a subspace field generated by a starship's warp engines.

Coherent Graviton Pulse--Energy waves that can neutralize tetryon emissions.

Coil Spanner--Engineering tool.

Coladrium Flow--Term in an unknown alien language for tenuous space matter collected by arva nodes in Tosk's ship converting the interstellar hydrogen into usable fuel.

Combooth--Colloquial term for a public communications terminal. Combooths are used for person-to-person audio and visual contact, as well as for data communications.

Comm Link--Communication link. Established by the combadges. The communication form that is used for comlinks is subspace radio.

Comptronics-- Computer technology invented by Dr. Richard Daystrom.

Computers-- The computers in Federation starships and bases have both voice and manual interface. They run under an operating system called LCARS. The computers are networked with each other, and with the rest of a ship via the ODN - the Optical Data Network. The ODN has ennoough processing power on its own to take over limited control of the ship in case of a complete computer failure. That explains why systems are still accessable, even when the main computers are down. The displays use 'nanoprocessors' - cell sized mechanical computers - to display information. The display itself contains data polled from the ODN, and based on user selections, displays whatever is appropriate. So even if the computers go down, whatever information is (1) already on the ODN (or ODN backups) or (2) in the display itself can be selected and displayed. The three main computer cores are equipped with low level subspace field generators. This allows signal propagation within the cores at faster-than-light (FTL) speeds.

Computer Core--One of three large, redundant cylindrical chambers aboard a starship, housing the ship's primary computer hardware.

Continuum Distortion Propulsion (CDP)--The official name for warp drive.

Continuum Drag--Force from which ships stop from accelerating while they are at warp. Continuum drag is comparable to air drag, but it's not air that influents movement, but the spacetime continuum.

Construction Module--Remotely controlled robotic device used for construction in free space.

Containment Breach--A failure of the magnetic containment fields in a starship's antimatter storage pods of warp drive system, generally occurring when field containment fell below 15 percent of normal.

Containment Field--Specially shaped forcefield used to isolate dangerous materials such as antimatter or biohazard specimens.

Controller--Sophisticated computer system that controlled the subterranean environmental for Eyemorg women of planet Sigma Draconix VI. The heart of the Controller was a biological humanoid brain, which required periodic replacement.

Corado I Transmitter Array--Subspace communications relay and booster facility DS9.

Core Matrix--Main component of a Jem'Hadar attack ship's warp propulsion system.

Corundium Alloy--Material used in the construction of an alien probe that came through the Bajoran wormhole in 2369.

Cosmic String Fragment--An almost infinitely thin filament of almost infinitely dense matter. Although a string fragment can exhibit a gravitational pull of a hundred stars, it is no wider than a proton. Cosmic strings emanate a characteristic set of subspace frequencies which are caused by the decay of atomic particles along the string's event horizon.

Cruising Speed--Standard speed of a starship.

Cultural Database--Archive of information stored in computers on Federation starships and space stations. The cultural database contains information pertaining to the rites and customs of all civilizations known to the Federation.

Cryonetrium--Substance that remains gaseous at cryogenic temperatures near absolute zero.

Crystalline Emiristol--Solid chemical rocket propellant used in the ancient space probe launched from the Kataan system a thousand years ago.

Cyanoacrylates--A substance not normally found aboard starships. This compound if capable of generating low levels of eichner radiation, which were found to stimulate growth of certain strains of deadly plasma plague.

Dampening Field--Energy field that inhibits transmission of most forms of energy, including communications.

Data Clip--Handheld information storage device.

Data Crystal--Small and very sophisticated information storage device.

Dataport--Computer interface implanted into a person's brain. A dataport allows a person to directly interface with computer systems. Illegal within the Federation.

Deflector--Energy field used to protect starships and other vessels from harm resulting from natural hazards or enemy attack.

Deflector Beam--Beam generated by the deflector, pushing away distant objects which lay in the course of the ship.

Deflector Field--Gravimetric field, which is the mechanism after a deflector shield. A deflector field pushes away objects/projectiles near a ship and absorbes energy beams. This costs energy, so when the shields deflects a projectile or absorb an energy beam, the shields lose energy. The field is created by the graviton sources of the deflector. The energy output is phase-synchronized through a series of subspace field distortion amplifiers (fieldstrenght of 625 millicochranes).

Deflector Shield--Starship protection against projectiles, dust, particles and dangerous radiations. Dust and particles are very dangerous when a ship travels at high speed. Even the smallest ones can destroy an entire ship when it's at warp or high impulse speed. The mechanism after the deflector shield is a gravimetric field (deflector field), generated by the deflector.

Dekyons--Particles which cause breaches in subspace.

Delta-wave Frequency--Energy pattern.

Dentarium--Metal alloy, used in Vulcan spacecraft.

Desealer Rod--Device used to unlock a pulsatel lockseal.

Deuterium Control Conduit--An integral part of a starship's warp propulsion system.

Deuterium--Isotope of hydrogen consisting of one proton and one neutron in the nucleus, around which circles a single electron. Cryogenic (extremely cold) deuterium was the primary fuel source for the fusion impulse-engine reactors in Federation starships. Deuterium was also used as one of the reactants in the matter/antimatter reaction system in those ships' warp drive. The deuterium was the matter, and anti-hydrogen served as the antimatter.

Deterium Injector--Part of a starship's and runabout's warp energy systems.

Deuterium Maintenance--A technical support repair crew aboard a Federation starship responsible for the ship's supply of slush deuterium fuel.

Diagnostic--Engineering analysis programs used aboard Federation starships intended to permit automated determination of system performance and diagnosis of any malfunctions. Most key systems had a number of such programs available, ranging from level-5 diagnostics (the fastest, most automated) to level-1 diagnostics (the most thorough, but also the slowest, requiring the most manual labor).

Diamide--Metallic substance. Some Bajoran earrings are made out of diamide-laced beritium.

Diboridium Core--Small power-generation unit used by the Cardassians.

Diburnium-Osmium Alloy--Metal used by the Kalandans to construct artificial planets.

Dicyclic Warp Signature--Energy characteristic produced by the warp engines of Hirogen vessels, by which the ships could be identified by long-range sensors.

Dielectric Field--A semipolarized electromagnetic field.

Differential Magnetometer--Device used on probes. The differential magnetometers are able to detect the magnetic deflection of a ship's hull on a moon.

Dilithium Articulator Frame--Part of a starship's warp drive system.

Dilithium Chamber Hatch--Outer door of the matter/antimatter reaction chamber in a starship's warp engine. The hatch permits access to the dilithium crystal articulation frame for servicing and crystal replacement.

Dilithium Crystal Chamber--Component of a starship's warp propulsion system. Located in the matter/antimatter reaction chamber, the dilithium crystal chamber controls the reactions and routes the power flow to the warp nacelles. Within the chamber, the device is mounted within a device called an articulation frame.

Dilithium Vector Calibrations--Routine maintenance performed on a starship's warp engines. Following this procedure, it is necessary to increase speed slowly so there alignment progression can be maintained.

Dilithium--Crystalline substance used in warp propulsion systems aboard starships. Dilithium regulates the matter/antimatter reactions that provide the energy necessary to warp space and travel faster than light. Naturally occurring dilithium is extremely rare and is mined on only a few planets. Until the advent of recrystallization techniques that permitted the production of synthetic dilithium, the crystals were among the most valuable substances in the galaxy.

Dimensional Shifter--Transporting device used by the Ansata. It uses spacefolding (Elway theorem). Its major side effects are DNA breakdown and accelerated cellular aging.

Directional Sonic Generator--Hand-held directional audio frequency emitter.

Dispersion Field--Energetic flux used to prevent the function of a transporter beam into a specific area.

Docking Clamps--Large mechanical devices that physically lock a docked ship to the exterior of a space station.

Dolamide--Chemical energy source used in a wide variety of applications such as power generators, reactors, and in an extremely pure form, for weapons.

Dodecahedron--Twelve-sided geometric solid.

Drafting Room 5--Part of Starfleet's Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards on Mars.

Drag Coefficient--Measurement of the relative resistance force on a body traveling through a fluid medium such as air or water.

Dreadnought--Self-guided Cardassian missile. The Dreadnought (so called by the Maquis) is charged with 1000 kilograms of matter and 1000 kilograms of antimatter. Combined with an impact speed on full impulse (150,000 km/sec, half lightspeed), this causes an explosion which can destroy a small moon. Its warp systems are highly advanced. The Dreadnought has its own warp core, a maximum speed of warp 9 and masks its warp trail with an electromagnetic field. Weapons are fired independently. Dreadnought has thoron shock emitters and when you fire on Dreadnought, he emits plasma waves.

Driver Coil Assembly--Component of a shuttlecraft's impulse propulsion system.

Drone--Small self-piloted flying devices used by the Son'a to track and pursue Ba'ku villagers in order to implant them with isolinear tags. Once a drone implanted a tag on a person, it would allow that person to be beamed up even in the presence of transporter inhibitors.

Drydock/Spacedock--Large orbital service structure used for major maintenance of starships and other space vehicles.

Dualitic Inverter--Tool used by Starfleet engineers.

Duonetic Field--Form of energy that inhibits flow of electromagnetic radiation. Duonetic fields prevent operation of most technological devices.

Duotronic Probe--Engineering tool used to regulate plasma flow.

Duotronics--Revolutionary computer system invented by Dr. Richard Daystrom in 2243. Duotronics became the basis of the computers used aboard all Federation starships for over 80 years. Duotronic enhancers were finally replaced by isolinear optical chips in 2329.

Duranium--Extremely strong metallic alloy commonly used in spacecraft construction such as in the hulls of Starfleet shuttlecraft making them difficult to cut into. Klingon Birds-of-Prey were partially built of duranium.

Duridium Alloy--Metallic material used in the construction of throwing darts.

Duritanium Polyalloy--Metallic composite alloy. Used in the fabrication of starship hulls.

DY-500--Interplanetary vessel, relatively primitive by 23rd century standards, but considerably more advanced than the older DY-100 ships.

DY-100--Ancient type of interplanetary space vehicle built on Earth in the late 20th century. DY-100 vessels used nuclear-powered engines and were equipped with suspended-animation facilities for extended voyages.

Dynamite--Chemical explosive developed on Earth by 19th century scientist Alfred Nobel. Although intended by Nobel for industrial and construction applications, dynamite was used as a deadly weapon of war.

Dynoscanner--Sensor device used to detect low-level molecular activity.

Dyson Sphere--A gigantic artificial structure designed to completely enclose a star in a hollow sphere some 200 million kilometers in diameter. The interior of the sphere is constructed to provide a life-supporting environment, and could theoretically provide the surface area of literally hundreds of millions of planets.

E-band Emissions--Electromagnetic signals sometimes emitted by collapsing protostars.

Ear Receiver--Small electronic device used by Starfleet personnel for personal monitoring of audio information without the inconvenience of a loudspeaker that might interfere with nearby personnel.

Earth-Saturn Probe--The first successful piloted mission from Earth to Saturn.

Echo Displacement--Tactical deception technique using a starship's deflector grid to project false sensor readings to convince an enemy that other spacecraft are present.

Einsteinian--A system is Einsteinian when it's strictly restricted to relativity.

EJ7 Interlock--Engineering tool used to open critical system access panels on space stations and starships.

Electroceramic--Structural material used as component of Kazon spacecraft.

Electrophoretic Activity--Slow movement of electrically charged colloidal particles dispersed in a fluid under the influence of an electric field.

Electroplasma System Taps--Components of a Federation starship's warp drive system used to divert a small amount of the drive plasma so that it can be used to generate electrical power for shipboard use. The EPS taps are located on the power transfer conduits.

Electroplasma System--Often abbreviated EPS. Power distribution network used aboard Federation starships, as well as in Cardassian facilities.

Electrostatic Forcefield--Used as a contamination field in the brig aboard starships, and probably for emergency forcefields and window forcefields also.

EM Base Frequencies--Engineering term used in measuring a phaser beam's component electromagnetic wavelengths.

Emergency Manual Monitor--Auxiliary control facility aboard starships.

Emergency Hand Actuator--Aboard Federation starships, a small hand crank located in an access panel on one side of an automatic door. The actuator can be used to open a door should the normal computer-driven system be inoperative.

Emergency Transporter Armbands--Devices used by Starfleet personnel for remote activation of the transporter in situations where there might not be sufficient time to contact the ship for transport orders.

Emitter Crystal--Component of a subspace transceiver.

Emotion Chip--Specialized positronic program module designed to permit a Soong-type android to experience human emotions.

Emulator Module--Component of the computer systems on a space station that allows the station's computers to access alien computer systems by matching the operating configuration of the alien system.

Energy Transfer Device--Hanheld mechanism used by the Vians to perform various tasks from teleportation to physical manipulation. The unit was controlled by the user's mental impulses, and was programmed to respond to one user only.

Energy Transfer Matrix--Critical component of a ferroplasmic infusion device. An energy transfer matrix requires priming following damage to a terroplasmic infusion unit.

Enhanced Quantum Torpedo--More advanced than a quantum torpedo. The same destructive power, but a booster module can accelerate the torpedo to warp 9.9999 (199516 times the speed of light) in only 4 nanoseconds (1 nanosecond is 1/1,000,000,000 part of a second). Its strike range is 150 million kilometers (100 million miles).

Environmental Suit--Protective garments worn by Starfleet personnel when exploring inhospitable environments.

EPI Capacitor--Device used to open a runabout hatch in an emergency, bypassing the normal door actuation servos.

EPS--Conduit system used for plasma transport on a starship.

EPS Discharge--Power release from the electroplasma system of a starship.

Ermanium--A metallic alloy used in Starfleet shuttlecraft.

Escape Pod--Small lifeboat that could be ejected from a starship or other space vehicle after a catastrophic accident.

Evaporation Shield--Armor that protects a starship hull from evaporation. The experimental prototype USS Prometheus has evaporation shielding.

Exanogen Gas--An extremely cold gaseous compound used to retard the feeding and growth of nitrium metal parasites.

Exatanium--Exotic metallic alloy.

Exceiver--Alien device used by Gary Seven when assigned to Earth in 1968.

Exocomp--Experimental servomechanism developed by Dr. Farallon for use in hazardous engineering applications. The exocomps incorporated an advanced microreplication system, providing the device with the ability to fabricate specialized tools for virtually any task, and ample onboard intelligence to make realtime repair decisions. The exocomps were later found to have a sufficient degree of intelligence to qualify as sentient life-forms.

Federation Starship Registry Codes--

NX Federation, Starfleet, Experimental USS Excelsior, NX-2000

NAR Federation, non-Starfleet, Research SS Vico, NAR-18834

NCC Federation, Starfleet, Active service USS Enterprise, NCC-1701

NDT Federation, non-Starfleet, Transport SS Milan, NDT-50863

NFT Federation Lakul, NFT-7793

NGL Federation, non-Starfleet, Freighter SS Odin, NGL-12535

NSP Federation, Vulcan, Science T'Pau, NSP-17938

Ferengi Cargo Shuttle--A transport used by the Ferengi Alliance.

Ferengi Shuttle--Small two-person vessel used for short-range transport, also known as a Ferengi pod.

Field Diverters--Device utilized to isolate areas of starships from the decontaminating plasma field of a baryon sweep. Field diverters are used to protect the ship's computer core and bridge. Multiple diverters on a starship requires synchronization in order to be effective.

Flter Masks--Protective breathing device intended to protect against the debilitating effects of zenite gas.

Finoplak--A colorless liquid solvent, capable of dissolving Starfleet issue fabrics, but harmless to bioplast sheeting.

Fire Suppression System--Systems aboard starships that automatically extinguish flames.

Firefighting--Aboard Federation starships, a variety of systems are used to combat fires. Most habitable areas are equipped with containment field generators used to create a small forcefield around any fires. The would deprive the fire of atmospheric oxygen, extinguishing it. Handheld extinguishers are also available. In an extreme emergency some parts of a ship could also be vented into the vacuum of space.

Firomactal Drive--Fictional computer device.

Fistrium--Refractory metal that was present in caves on Melona IV.

Flight Recorder--Data storage system aboard starships that records critical information and images from various locations in the ship, intended for use after a major accident to reconstruct the events leading up to the incident.

Floater-- Small hovercraft used for recreational transportation.

Flux Capacitance--A measurable physical property of energy flow.

Flux Generator--Science and engineering instrument.

Flux Spectrometer--Sensor device used aboard Federation starships.

Food Processor--Old term used for a food replicator.

Food Replicator--Replicator that produces food and drinks. Not very different from standard replicators. Substances as carbonhydrates and proteins are packed in 'gel packs'. A part called 'neurode' transfers the substances from the gel pack to the composition chamber.

Footfall--Informal Vori unit of distance measure, about one meter.

Forced Quantumsingularity Drive--Energy source, used in Romulan starships as warp core. Energy is drained from a quantumsingularity; an artificial black hole.

Fortanium--Substance used  in construction of the D'Arsay Archive.

Fractal Encryption--Very sophisticated, virtually unbreakable computer encryption technique.

FTL Travel--(FTL = Faster Than Light) Travelling faster than the speed of light. The exact definition of FTL travel is travelling from A to B in less time than light, which travels at 186,000 miles per second.

Fullerenes--Shortened name for buckminsterfullerenes, macroscopic carbon molecules with a spherical lattice structure.

Fusing Pitons--Self-setting anchor used for repelling on sheer rock surfaces.

Fusion Reactor--Used as energy source and propulsion system. A fusion reactor brings light atoms together, which produces heavier atoms and large amounts of energy. Nuclear fusion is the energy source of stars. Federation fusion reactors use deuterium, with helium as reaction product.

Gallicite--Rare mineral substance used in the construction of warp coils on Federation starships.

Gel Pack--Part of a food replicator that contains fundamental food substances like carbonhydrates and proteins.

Gigajoule--Unit of energy measure, one billion joules.

Gigaquad--Unit of computer memory storage, one billion quads.

Global Power Grid--Utility network on 24th century Earth that controlled the distribution of power throughout the planet.

Gravimetric Field Distortion Generator-- Device which manipulates gravity as warp drive manipulates spacetime. It enables higher warp.

Gravimetric Torpedo--Sophisticated energy weapon.

Gravitational Constant--Mathematical expression describing the amount of gravitational attraction that is generated by a given amount of matter.

Gravitational Eddies--Gravitational eddies are disturbances in a wormhole which interfer with communications.

Gravitational Unit--Device used to generate a synthetic gravity field aboard a space vehicle.

Gravitic Caliper--Engineering tool used to regulate plasma flow.

Gravitic Sensor Net--Network of detection devices employed by the Federation near the Romulan Neutral Zone, making it possible to detect space vehicles in the area. This system was at least partially effective in sensing the presence of cloaked ships.

Graviton--Elementary particle that transmits gravitational force.

Graviton Field Generator--Key component of forcefield and artificial-gravity generators.

Graviton Fields--Energy generated by a tractor beam that can be used to strengthen the structural integrity of a vessel being towed.

Graviton Inverter Circuit--Component of an antigrav such as those used in cargo-handling units.

Graviton Matrix--Underlying energy-field structure present in artificially-generated temporal distortion fields.

Graviton Pulses--Modulated bursts of graviton particle beams.

Graviton Stablizer--Component in an artificial gravity generator.

Gravity Net--Floor mat used in freefall environments to generate artificial gravity.

Gray Mode--Starship operational protocols designed for severe energy conservation. In gray mode, power to nonessential decks and systems is discontinued, and remaining systems are operated at 20 percent.

GSC--Unit of gross structual compression measure.

GSK 739--Call sign for a private transmitter belonging to George Samuel Kirk on the planet Deneva.

Guidance and Navigation Relay--Component of a spacecraft's flight control system, used to manage the flow of navigational sensor data.

Gyrodyne--Energy-producing device employed in Jem'Hadar attack ships.

Hammer--Tool used for pounding.

Hangar Deck--A large facility on Federation starships that permits the launch and recovery of shuttlecraft.

Harmonic Chamber--Chamber in which harmonic waves are stabilized.

Harmonic Resonance Chamber--Containment device designed by the Borg to hold and stabilize an Omega molecule.

Harvesters--Deadly nanobiogenic weapon used during the centuries-long war between the T'Lani and Kellerun. Harvesters, which virtually wiped out the population of planet T'Lani III, were clear cylinders containing about two liters of lethal orange gel. All were destroyed after the war.

Heading--In celestial navigation, a mathematical expression describing a direction with relationship to the center of the galaxy. A heading is composed of two numbers measuring an azimuth value and an elevation value in degrees. A heading of 000, mark 0 describes a direction toward the geometric center of the galaxy.

Heavy Graviton Beam--A directed energy weapon considered for possible use against the Borg during the Borg offensive of 2367.

Heisenberg Compensators--Component of a transporter system, designed to permit the derivation of precision vector and positional data of particles on a subatomic level.

Helium Fusion Enhancement--Theoretical techniques that would increase the energy output of a dying star by increasing the temperature and pressure inside the star so that the star begins helium fusion, thus increasing the star's useful life.

Helium Ignition Test--Experiment conducted by Dr. Timicin in 2367 to test his helium fusion enhancement theories. the initial test was a dramatic failure, causing a red giant star to go supernova. Further testing was required.

Heuristic Subprocessor--Data-processing device used by Starfleet computing systems, such as those used to control a starship's dilithium articulation frame.

Hexiprismatic Field--Energy type.

High-intensity Warp Pulse--Instantaneous discharge of warp energy from a pair of field-saturated nacelles.

Holocommunicator--Communications system that created a fullsized holographic representation of the opposite party within a circular area on the floor. Few Federation starships are equipped with this feature.

Holodeck--Also known as a Holographic Environment Simulator, the holodeck permits the simulations of virtually any environment or person with a degree of fidelity virtually indistinguishable from reality. The holodeck employs three-dimensional holographic projections as well as tansporter-based replications of actual objects.

Holodeck Imaging Processor--Portion of a holographic environment simulator that is responsible for the production of visual images.

Holodeck Reactors--Power generation devices used to supply power to holodeck systems aboard Federation starships. The holodeck reactors are independent from the ship's main power grid.

Holodeck Matter--A partially stable form of matter created by transporter-based replicators for use in holodeck simulations. This material is stable only within a holographic environment simulator; if removed from the holodeck, it degrades into energy.

Holo-filter--Holographic device that can alter a visual communications signal, making it appear that the signal was originating from a different person or locale.

Hologenerators--Technical equipment used to generate holographic environment imagery on space stations and starbases.

Holographic Information Module--Data storage device.

Holographic Projector--Imaging device used in holodecks and similar three-dimensional display environments.

Holoimager--Handheld device used to capture holographic images for use in holodeck and holosuite programs.

Holomatrix--Combination of all computer (sub)routines from a hologram. The holomatrix forms the personality (if a person is simulated), appearance and function of a hologram.

Holoship--Starfleet spacecraft; a large, mobile, holographic environment simulator.

Holosuite--Holographic environment simulators located on starbases and space stations.

Hopper--Troop-carrying small craft.

Hovercar--Ground transportation vehicle in use on Earth in the mid 21st century.

Hovercraft--Anti-gravity vehicle used on planets.

Hydrazine--Colorless liquid (N2H4), a powerful reducing agent used as a hypergolic chemical rocket propellant. Exposure to hydrazine vapors is a serious health hazard.

Hyperchannel--Alternate term for subspace radio communications.

Hyper-impulse--Advanced form of propulsion employed on Federation timeships of the 29th century.

Hyperspanner--Engineering tool used in the calibration of plasma injectors.

Hytritium--A highly unstable substance used to neutralize poisonous tricyanate.

Iconic Display Console--A highly sophisticated computer interface system designed by Lt. Reginald Barclay while under the influence of the Cutherians in 2367. This system permitted a computer user's mind to directly link into a computer.

Imaging Logs--Record of visual acquisition activity by a scientific or other image-recording device, such as an astronomical observatory.

Imaging Scanner--Component of a transporter that captures a molecule-resolution image of the transport subject, used to create the rematerialization matrix. Four redundant scanners are used, permitting any one to be ignored if it disagrees with the other three.

Immersion Shield--Advanced deflector technique employing unimatrix shield technology.

Impulse Drive--Spacecraft propulsion system using conventional impulse reactions to generate thrust. Aboard most Federation starships, impulse drive is powered by one or more fusion reactors that employ deuterium fuel to yield helium plasma and a lot of power. A ship under impulse speed is limited to slower than light speeds. Normally, full impulse speed is about half the speed of light.

Impulse Factor--Unit of speeds slower than light. Full impulse is set at 150,000 km/s (half lightspeed).

Impulse Flow Regulator--Component of a starship's propulsion system.

Impulse Prestart Sequence--Initiated when warp is engaged in starships and auxiliary vehicles.

Impulse Speed--Speed slower than lightspeed: speed obtained by impulse drive.

Impulse Sustainer--Propulsion unit in space vehicle such as a class-4 sensor probe that provides thrust after the probe's initial launch.

Induction Relay--Power transfer device used in Federation starship computers.

Induction Stabilizer--Engineering component aboard Jem'Hadar attack vessels.

Infinite Velocity, theory of--Concept postulating that an object traveling at warp 10 (also known as transwarp velocity) would effectively have an infinite speed, and that the object would therefore occupy every point in the universe simultaneously.

Inertial Dampers--Field manipulation devices designed to compensate for he acceleration forces generated when a space vehicle changes speed.

Intercom--Aboard certain Federation spacecraft, a wall or console mounted voice communications terminal. Intercom stations fell into disuse in later Federration starships, as the personal communicator provides remote access to the ship's internal communications network.

Interface--Global computer based media and information network on Earth in the 21st century.

Interface Probe--Robotic device that uses remote teleprescence technology to permit a person to work in hazardous environments while remaining at a safer location.

Interface Terminal--Computer console used on Earth during the early 21st century, employing stylus and touch-screen technology.

Interferometric Dispersion--Technique that renders a spacecraft undetectable by primitive radar detection systems.

Interferometric Pulse--Energy discharge that is modulated in opposition to a particular energy field. Interferometric pulses can be used to cancel out and render ineffective an enemy ship's deflector shields.

Interlink Sequencer--Component of Data's positronic brain.

Intermix Formula--A crucial concept in warp drive, the intermix formula is a mathematical expression determining the manner in which matter and antimatter are brought together to produce the energy required to warp space and travel faster than light.

Internal Power Grid--Alternate term for the EPS power distribution system used aboard Federation starships.

Interplexing Beacon--Type of subspace transmitter.

Intraship Beaming/Site to Site Transport--Method of transporting within the confines of a starship.

Inverse Tachyon Beam--Energy stream that can be used in certain unorthodox sensor applications to study temporal phenomena.

Inverter--A device used by the Ansata terrorists of planet Rutia IV for folded-space transport.

Ion Drive--Impulse drive, based on magnetic acceleration exhausting of ions in a plasma. Invented in the nineties of the 20th century. Ion propulsion requires far less energy than propulsion by other engines, but is relatively weak.

Ion Propulsion--Highly efficient spacecraft propulsion system that uses magnetic fields to drive electrically charged gases.

Ion Trail--(warp trail) Trail of ions, left by any ship on warp or impulse. Many ships are detected because of their ion trail.

Ionizer, Transporter--A critical component in the transporter system.

Ionogenic Particles--Energy type used in an attempt to contain the anionic energy that composed the noncorporeal criminal life forms from the Ux-Mal star system.

IPS--Impulse Power System.

Isodyne Relay--Component of a Starfleet tricorder.

Isograted Circuit--Computer chip technology that permitted manufacture of numerous electronic circuit components as a single unit.

Isolation Protocol--A series of emergency procedures employed aboard Federation starships in the event of a hull breach in part of the ship. Isolation protocol procedures include computer controlled closure of emergency bulkheads in the turboshafts to prevent uncontrolled atmospheric loss.

Isolation Suit--Starfleet garment equipped with a cloaking device, rendering the wearer unobservable. Isolation suits are used by Federation scientists for covert sociological studies.

Isolinear Co-processor--Computing device employing isolinear elements, used aboard space stations and starbases.

Isolinear Interface--Used to access computers on Federation space stations and starships.

Isolinear Optical Chip--Sophisticated information storage and processing device. Used for both information storage and data processing. These chips are often housed in wall mounted racks, permitting computer access to dozens, even hundreds of chips at one time.

Isolinear Rods--Data storage and processing device used aboard Cardassian facilities.

Isolinear Tag--Tiny transponder device permitting a tracking system to locate an object to which a tag has been attached.

Isomorphic Projection--Technical term for hologram used by the Serosians.

Isonucleic Residue--Particles found in warp plasma. Plasma with isonucleic residue of 20 parts per million is considered to be contaminated.

Isoton--Unit of mass measurement used by the Federation.

Jakmanite--A radioactive substance with a half-life of about 15 seconds, capable of causing nucleosynthesis in silicon. Jakmanite is not normally detectable by a starship's internal sensor scans.

Jefferies Tube--Systems access crawlway aboard Federation starships.

KPH--Kilometers per hour. Unit of measure used to describe very slow speeds.

Kedion--Subatomic particle that can resonate with positrons.

Kelbonite--Refractory metal that was present in the caves on planets Melona IV and Forlat III.

Killicam--Unit of distance measure in use by the Klingon Empire. One kellicam is roughly equal to two kilometers.

Kellinite--Construction material. Sometimes used to lend strength to spacecraft hulls.

Kellipates--Unit of distance or area measure on planet Bajor.

Kerripate--Unit of land area in the Bajoran system of measures. A kerripate is a fraction of a tessipate.

Ketric--Hirogen unit of lenth measurement, equal to several kilometers.

Kilodyne--A measurement of force, one thousand dynes.

Kiloquad--Unit of measure of data storage and transmission in Federation computer systems.

Kinetic Detonator--Old-style warhead fusing mechanism used by the Cardassians as late as 2369.

Klingon Communicator--Personal voice communications device used by members of the Klingon Defense Force. In the 2260s, these devices were handheld, but by 2365 they had been incorporated into small decorative pins worn on a warrior's uniform.

KLS Stabilizer--Engineering device used to maintain power output stability of a starship's warp core.

Kolem--Romulan unit of measure for power flow.

Krellide Storage Cells--A power storage device used in shuttlecraft and handheld tools.

Krenim Temporal Weapon Ship--In an alternate timeline, an incredibly powerful weapon of mass destruction. The ship created a focused temporal shock wave that actually removed an object from the continuum. Not only did the object disappear from history, but all effects of that object throughout the timeline also vanished. The ship operated in a state of temporal flux, outside normal space-time, so that it was immune not only to the effects of its temporal shock waves, but it was also impervious to most forms of attack.

Krieger Waves--Energy source invented by Dr. Apgar at Tanuga Resarch Station near Tanuga IV.

Ladarium--Substance used in Cardassian warp drive systems.

Landing Struts--Four retractable legs located on the ventral surface of the engineering hull of Intrepid-class starships. The landing struts are used  as shock absorbers during landing and keep the vessel upright on the surface of the planet on which it has landed.

Lang Cycle Fusion Engines--Ancient power plant used aboard Promellian spacecraft a millennium ago.

Laser Fusion Initiator--Component of some fusion reactors that use intense pulses of coherent light to create the high temperatures necessary to begin a fusion reaction. Laser fusion initiators are necessary to keep a reactor active. Disengaging the initiators would shut down the reactor.

Laser-Induced Fusion--Engineering term for controlled nuclear fusion in which the required ignition temperatures are created by powerful lasers.

Laser Pulse System--A low-power directed energy device employing coherent light transmission.

Lateral Micro Brace--Part of a starship's warp drive system.

LCARS--Library Computer Access and Retrieval System.

Level-4 Memory Fragmentation--Serious cascading memory degradation in a sophisticated computer program.

Library Computer--Massive computer system and database carried aboard Federation starships. The storage banks of a library computer contain virtually the sum of recorded information, a vital resource to a starship on detached duty. The library computer can be accessed from any terminal aboard ship, including the science officer's station on the bridge.

Library Computer Access and Retrieval System--Proper name for the main computer system aboard Federation starships.

Lightspeed--Physical constant which represents the speed of energy waves and massless particles in a vacuum.

Lightspeed Barrier--Absolute maximum speed for Newtonian travel. Because of relativistic mass increase and slowing time, no Newtonian-travelling object can travel at lightspeed or above. The only Newtonian systems that can travel at lightspeed are massless particles and energywaves.

Light-Speed Breakaway Factor--Also known as the slingshot effect, a warp-speed maneuver used to propel a starship through time. This procedure involves close passage to a massive gravitational source (like a star) at a high warp velocity.

Linear Memory Crystal--Optically refractive material used in isolinear optical chips., a key part of optical data processing devices.

Linguacode--Data communications formate designed to be understandable by nearly any technology sophisticated intelligence. Unlike normal encryption, which serves to conceal information, Linguacode was designed to make a message more accessible to a wide range of life forms. Linguacode is sometimes used in first contact situations.

Lithium Cracking Station--Mineral processing facility used to produce lithium crystals, a critical element of early warp drive technology.

Lithium Crystals--The lightest metal on the periodic table of elements, with an atomic number of 3 and an atomic weight of 6.941. Lithium in a form resembling crystalline quartz was a critical component of warp drive systems in early starships.

LN2, Exhaust Conduits--Vents used to dump excess quantities of liquid nitrogen from a space vehicle.

Lucrovexitrin--A highly toxic substance capable of causing nucleosynthesis in silicon. Lucovexitrin is not normally detectable by a starship's internal sensor scans.

Luvetric Pulse--Energy form used for tracking.

Lydroxide--Corrosive substance used as  a coolant in the couplings of orbital tether carriages of Nezu design. Lydroxide is poisonous to humanoids.

M-1 thru M-4--Experimental multitronic computers developed by Dr. Richard Daystrom,, unsuccessful predecessors to the M-5 computer.

M-4--Robot invented by Flint to perform a variety of tasks at his home on planetoid Holberg 917G.

M-5--Experimental computer designed in 2268 by Dr. Richard Daystrom. The M-5 multitronic unti was the most ambitious computer complex ever created in its time, and was designed with the purpose of correlating and controlling every aspect of starship operation. The M-5 multitronic unit was built using a technique that allowed human neural engrams to be impressed upon the computer's circuits, theoretically giving the machine the ability to think and reason like a human.

Mag-lev Carriage--Small passenger or cargo vehicle that uses magnetic leverage to travel up a cable tether connecting the surface of a planet to an orbital station.

Magnaspanner--Handheld tool used by Starfleet engineers.

Magnaton Pulse--Electromagnetic energy burst.

Magnesite--Metallic composite containing magnesium carbonate, MgCO3. Transporters cannot beam through magnesite-bearing rock. Magnesite can also be used as a chemical fuel for cooking.

Magnetic Boots--Footwear used by starship personnel in weightless conditions to allow a worker to remain attached and vertical with respect to a floor or other suitable surface.

Magnetic Constrictors--Component of a starship's warp core.

Magnetic Leverage--Form of linear propulsion.

Magnetic Plasma Guides--Part of a starships' energy system.

Magnetic Probe--Handheld engineering tool used to seal the matter-antimatter flow.

Magnetic Resonance Traces--Traces believed to be indicative of Borg activity--a Borg Footprint.

Magnetic Seals--Component of the matter/antimatter containment system aboard Federation starships. The seals help prevent the highly volatile antimatter from coming into contact with the structure of the ship.

Magnetic Spindle Bearings--Mechanisms used in a Federation starship's reaction control assembly.

Magneton--Measurement of the magnetic dipole moment of a particle.

Magnetospheric Energy Taps--Technology developed on the Alpha Moon of planet Peliar Zel. The taps allowed the magnetic field of Peliar Zel to be used as an energy source for Alpha Moon.

Main Computer Processor--Central data-processing system on a Federation starship.

Main Fusion Reactor--A power source for many Cardassian spacestations.

Main Particle Impeller--Component of Dr. Farallon's experimental particle fountain.

Maintenance Conduit--Access tunnel aboard a Federation spacestation.

Malon Shuttle--Small spacecraft specifically designed by the Malon to survive a trip into the atmosphere of a gas giant. Its hull was composed of tetraburium alloys.

M/AMR--Abbrevation for matter/antimatter reactor.

Maneuvering Thrusters--Low power reaction control jets used for fine positional and attitude control by starships and other spacecraft. Used in low speed docking maneuvers and similar situations.

Manuel Steering Column--Control device used to directly pilot a spacecraft through the use of a hand-operated joystick, generally reserved for emergency use in case of computer-systems failure.

Masking Circuitry--Device employed by some ships of the Kazon-Nistrim sect in the Delta Quadrant. The masking circuitry made such ships difficult to detect using sensors. Such vessels could be renedered briefly visible when illuminated by a polaron burst.

M/ARA--Matter/Antimatter Reaction Assembly. Official name for a warp core in which matter annihilates with antimatter.

Marker Beacon--Brilliant strobe lights located on the hulls of Federation starships, intended to aid other ships in visually locating that vessel.

Master Differential Relay--Part of a starship's energy system.

Master Systems Display--Information display and control console used by starship personnel in Main Engineering.

Master Situation Monitor--Large wall mounted display in Main Engineering of Federation starships. The master situation monitor features a large cutaway diagram of the ship, used for monitoring the overall status of the ship and its departments.

Materialization Error--Failure of a holodeck matter conversion system, which can cause the loss of solid objects within the holodeck environment.

Matrix Diodes--The array of omnidirectional holographic diodes embedded in the walls of holodecks.

Matrix Overlay Program--Computer program devised by the Jupiter Station diagnostic program. A matrix overlay is used to repair serious memory fragmentation in a sophisticated computer system, such as a holodeck.

Matter Stream--In the operation of the transporter, the matter stream is the beam of phased (or dematerialized) matter that is transported from the transport chamber to the destination (or the reverse).

Matter-Antimatter Integrator--Component of a Constitution class starship's warp drive system.

Matter/Antimatter Reaction Chamber--Component of the warp drive system used aboard Federation starships. The reaction chamber is the vessel within which matter and antimatter are allowed to intermix in a controlled fashion, resulting in the massive release of energy necessary to power the faster than light warp drive. The matter/antimatter reaction is regulated by a dilithium crystal, and the entire volume is contained by a magnetic containment field to prevent the volatile antimatter from coming into physical contact with the ship's structure.

Matter/Energy Scrambler--Minaran transporter device.

Melakol--Romulan unit of measure for pressure.

Mercassium--Proprietary composite used in Federation shield-generator constuction.

Message Buoy--Small spaceborne instrument package, usually containing a data storage system and an automatic transponder.

Metaphasic Shield--Revolutionary new shielding technology developed in 2369 by Ferengi scientist Dr. Reyga. The system involved the generation of overlapping low level sub-space fields, causing an object within the fields to exist partially in subspace.

MEV--Unit of electromotive force measure; abbreviation for one million electron volts.

Micro-inducer--Precision electronic engineering tool.

Microdyne--Measureement of force, one-millionth of a dyne.

Microfusion Initiator--Reactor component.

Micron--Unit of length measure, one-millionth of a meter.

Microprobe--Small free-flying unpiloted instrument package used by Starfleet scientists for remote sensing studies. Microprobes measure only a few centimeters in diameter.

Microoptic Drill--A handled piece of Starfleet equipment used to produce extremely small, precision holes.

Microreplication System--Device permitting an exocomp to fabricate virtually any tool required for an engineering servicing task. The microreplicator creates a new circuit pathway whenever an exocomp performs a task it has never done before.

Microtomographic Analysis--Imaging technique using a series of microscopic narrow beam x-rays to derive information on an extremely small scale.

Mid-Range Phase Adjuster--An device developed for use in warp drive systems. When installed in the power transfer conduits, it corrects the phase of the energy plasma, compensating for inertial distortion.

Mnemonic Memory Circuit--Device that allows the retrieval of data from a tricorder.

Modular Shelter--Portable living enclosure carried aboard Federation starships in an unassembled form.

Molecular Displacement Traces--Tricorder readings indicative of recent macroscopic motion.

Molecular Imaging Scanner--Subsystem within a Federation starship's transporter. The molecular imaging scanner is reponsible for creating the data matrix that describes every particle of the transport subject. A faulty imaging scanner could result in a transport subject being improperly re-created.

Molecular Phase Inverter--Romulan device that could alter the molecular structure of matter so it could pass through "normal" matter and energy.

Molybdenum-Cobalt Alloys--Material used in the construction of the android, Data. Data has about 11.8 kilograms of this material in his body.

Monocaladium Particles--Substance detected in cave walls on planet Melona IV following the attack of the Crystalline Entity in 2368.

Monotanium--Metal alloy. Monotanium is used as armor plating on Hirogen spacecraft. Monotanium armor can scatter Federation-style weapons targeting beams, although the metal could be susceptible to an isokinetic cannon of sufficient power.

Mooring Clamps--Mechanism used at Federation spacestations that secures a ship to a docking port.

Mortae--Mining equipment used by the Troglytes on planet Ardana.

Mortality Fail-safe--Subroutine of a Federation starship's holodeck control program intended to prevent simulation participants from injuring themselves seriously.

Multidimensional Transporter Device--Electronic apparatus created in the mirror universe to allow passage to our universe through a transporter beam.

Multiphase Pulse--Energy burst characterized by signals of overlapping frequencies and nutation. Properly programmed and adjusted, a multiphase pulse can be used to penetrate some force fields.

Multiphase Tractor Beam--Technology developed by Geordi La Forge of the Enterprise-D and scientist Hannah Bates of the Genome Colony on planet Moab IV in 2368. Their new development allowed warp power to be channeled into the tractor beam with greater efficiency than was previously available.

Multimodal Reflection Sorting--An advanced technique used to process subspace sensor data.

Multitronics--Experimental computer technology developed by Dr. Richard Daystrom in the 2260s.

Muon Frequencies--Energetic radiation.

Mutual Induction Field--Energy barrier produced by a network of low-altitude satellites, preventing communications and making it difficult for sensors to scan a planet's surface.

Myographic Scanner--Sensing device on Federation escape pods. It monitors the bioelectric signatures of the pod's passengers and allows them to be traced should they become separated from the pod after landing.

Nacelle--Inn starship design, a large outboard structure that houses a warp drive engine. Nacelles generally incorporate powerful subspace field generation coils and sometimes have Bussard collectors to gather interstellar hydrogen.

Nanopolymer--Densified material that can be used to re-inforce components of plasma flow conduits.

Nanoprobes--Microscopic probes developed by the Borg, which attack at cellular level. Used in the first step of the Borg assimilation proces.

Nanopulse Laser--Advanced engineering device developed bvy the androids on planet Mudd.

Nanotechnology--Branch of engineering involving the design of microscopic machines on scales as small as nanometers. Such tools include extremely tiny robots known as nanites.

Narrative Parameters File--Portion of a holodeck program defining characteristics of the scenario, including characters and their motivations and actions.

Navigational Deflector--On many Federation starships, a powerful forward-looking directional deflector used to push aside debris, meteoroids and other objects that might collide with the ship. Can be modified to use as a weapon.

Navigator--Aboard a starship, the bridge control station and the officer responsible for projecting the desired course or trajectory of the vehicle and for determining the ship's actual position, velocity, and direction in relationship to that desired course. In more recent Federation starships, this function was merged with the duties of the helm officer, and dubbed conn, or flight controller.

Negaton Hydrocoils--Device that resembled a drop of jelly and allowed androids constructed by Sargon, Thalassa and Henoch to move likehumanoids without microgears or other mechanical aids.

Neodymium Power Cell--Chemical energy storage device.

Neodyne Light--Illumination technology used on the Nechani homeworld. Neodyne lights are more advanced and efficient than chromodynamic lights.

Neosorium Composite--Material used in the construction of Federation replicators.

Netgirl--A woman who allows men into her mind for money. The link is accomplished via a dataport. (Dataports are illegal in the Federation.)

Neural Interface--Subdermal bioelectrical device, linking a humanoid neocortex to an external computer system.

Neural Transponder--Device used to link Borg drones through processors implanted in their nervous sytems. Neural transponders allow members of the Borg collective to share neural energy.

Neural Servo--Electronic device implanted on the nuchal surface of each member of Arctus Baran's crew of mercenaries, used for crew discipline. The device was directly connected to the wearer's nervous system and was controlled by a transponder worn by Baran.

Neurode--A part of a food replicator that composites a specific food from the substances in the gel packs. In bio-neural circuitry technology, the connection between a bio-neural gel pack and external components.

Neutralization Emitters--Component of Cardassian security force-field systems. These systems are much like Starfleet containment fields except that Cardassian neutralization emitters are lethal.

Neutrino Field--A concentration of neutrinos.

Neutrino--Massless subatomic particle that has no electrical charge. A major source of these particles is nuclear reactions deep within stars.

Neutron Fatigue--A breakdown of nuclear cohesion in a structure.

Neutron Radiation--Energy discharge consisting of electrically neutral subatomic particles.

Neutronium--Matter so incredibly dense that atoms' electron shells have collapsed and the nuclei are actually touching each other.

Newtonian Propulsion--Propulsion based on the action/reaction laws of Newton. An Newtonian propulsion drive cannot break the lightspeed barrier. Impulse drive is a Newtonian drive.

Nitrium--A metal alloy, used in the construction of Federation starships.

Nitrogen Tetroxide--Hypergolic liquid propellent, often used in simple chemical-reaction-control thrusters; a gas poisonous to most humanoids.

Nitrogenase Compound--Useful raw material.

Nomad--Early robot interstellar probe launched from Earth in 2002 on a mission to search for new life forms.

Non-Newtonian Propulsion--Propulsion drive that has no normal action/reaction component associated with it. Non-Newtonian drives can break the lightspeed-barrier, because it 'violates' the action/reaction laws of Newton.

Noranium Ally--A metal of little salvage value.

Nucleonic Beam--Low level energy transmission projected by a probe from the planet Kataan.

Nucleonic Radiation--Hazardous energy normally present within a Federation-style replicator. Nucleonic radiation can cause massive cell mutation in living tissue.

Nullifier Core--Major component of the propulsion system on a Romulan Warbird.

Obelisk--A powerful asteroid deflector beam generator built on he surface of Miramanee's planet centuries ago by the Preservers.

ODN--Acronym for optical data network. A system of fiberoptic data-transmission conduits used aboard Federation starships, serving as the nervous system of the ship's computer network.

ODN Bypass--A rerouting of the optical data network aboard a Federation starship.

ODN Recoupler--Engineering tool.

Okudagrams--Name of the computer graphic displays on the Enterprise-D's computers.

Omicron--Particle created by Space Nebula Creature, used in 'circulatory' system. Thought to be a substitute for anti-matter for the warp drives, as well as fuel for replicators.

Onkian--Unit of temperature measure used by the Romulan Star Empire. A reading of 12 onkians corresponds to a cold (but not freezing) temperature.

Operations Center--Also knows as Ops. Command facility for deep space stations where the various functions of the station are coordinated.

Optical Transducer--Component of a VISOR. The transducer receives electromagnetic radiation from the environment and translates it into bio-electric impulses that are interpreted by the wearer's brain.

Opti-Cable--Fiber-optic data transmission cable used aboard Federation starships, part of their ODN, optical data network.

Optolythic Data Rod--Recording medium used by the Cardassian government for official record keeping. Information could only be transcribed on a rod once, and then could not be altered. The rods were manufactured only as needed on Cardassia Prime and were almost impossible to obtain by outsiders.

Optronic Datacore--A key element of holographic technology used in a Federation starship's holodeck.

Orbital Flight Control--Starfleet operational unit responsible for coordination and scheduling of spacecraft in the Sol sector.

Orbital Habitats--Large artificial structures designed for human habitation in space.

Orbital Office Complex--Space station orbiting Earth, part of Starfleet's San Francisco Yards facility.

Orbital Tether--Space transportation system providing access to planetary orbit by means of an extremely long cable stretching from a ground station on the planet's surface to a space station in synchronous orbit. Carriage vehicles ride the cables between the ground and orbital stations.

PADD--Acronym for personal access display device. Small handheld information unit used by STARFLEET personnel.

Palm Beacon--Handheld light sources used by Starfleet away teams.

Parabolic Thruster--Engineering component aboard Jem'Hadar attack vessels.

Paralithium--Crustalline substance used as fuel for some ion-based starship propulsion systems. Paralithium can be converted to trilithium.

Parsec--Unit of measure used by Earth scientists for astronomical distances. One parsec is equal to approximately 3.26 light years.

Particle Fountain--Experimental mining technique developed by Dr. Farallon at planet Tyrus VIIA in 2369.

Particle Stream--An energetic by product of a Federation starship's warp drive.

Particle Stream Buffer--Critical component of a ferroplasmic infusion device.

Particle Synthesis--Advanced technology for replication of matter.

Passive High-resolution Series--Sequence of sensor scans.

Pattern Buffer--Component of a transporter in which a transport subject's image is briefly stored so that transmission frequency can be adjusted to compensate for the Doppler effect caused by any relative motion between the transport chamber and the target.

Pattern Enhancer--Devices used by Starfleet transporter systems to amplify a transporter signal, thereby making personal transport safer during relatively hazardous situations, as when beaming through electrical storms.

Pattern Scrambler--Device that causes a transporter beam to lose coherence upon rematerialization. Pattern scramblers have the effect of killing persons in transit quite unpleasantly.

Pergium--Mineral used on many planets as a source of power for life support systems.

Phase Buffer--Component of the sensor array of Galaxy-class starships. Located within the Jefferies tubes, phase butters need to be carefully aligned in order for sensors to function at maximum efficiency.

Phase Conditioners--Component of seismic regulators.

Phase-conjugate Graviton Emitter--Engineering device sometimes used in tractor beams to increase lift capacity.

Phase Discriminator--Component of Data's positronic brain.

Plasma Display Subsystem--Part of a starship's warp system.

Phase Transition Coils--Key component of a transporter that is responsible for the conversation of the transport subject from matter to energy or the reverse.

Phased Matter--In the operation of the transporter, phased matter refers to matter that has been dematerialized by the phase transition coils and converted into a matter stream.

Phaser Power Coupling--Weapons power transfer conduit, part of the electroplasma system on Federation starships.

Phasing Cloak--Invisibility-screen generator that is designed not only to disguise a starship from visual and sensor detection, but also to alter the atomic structure of the ship, so that the ship can pass through normal matter. The cloak eventually proved itself in practical use, but the Federation was forbidden from using it by the terms of the Treaty of Algeron.

Pheromonic

Photometric Projection--Holographic imaging technology employed by the Vori people.

Photoplasma--Energy signature. A tricorder can be programmed to emit a photoplasmic trail to mark a path for later backtracking.

Pioneer 10--Ancient robotic space probe launched from Earth in 1972 by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Plasma Canister--A device used to transport small amounts of warp plasma.

Plasma Conversion Sensor--Starfleet instrument used to measure the consumption of matter and antimatter fuel during engine use.

Plasma Coolant--Highly corrosive fluid used in the warp-drive styems of Federation starships.

Plasma Fire--Combustion supported by the intense heat from an externally supplied ionized plasma gas source, such as those found in a starship's internal power grid.

Plasma Flares--Technical component. Combined with other supplies, plasma flares can be used to create a biogenic weapon.

Plasma Grid--Component of the warp drive partially reponsible for power conversion levels.

Plasma Infuser--Handheld instrument used for the transfer of high energy plasma.

Plasma Injector--Component of a warp drive system.

Plasma Residue--By-product of the warp propulsion process. When plasma residue is vented from a starship's warp nacelles, a cloud of blue glowing gas is created around the ship.

Plasma Torch--Work tool used on board Federation starships.

Plasticized Tritanium Mesh--A 26th century construction material, unknown in the 24th century.

Plexicorp--Commercial company engaged in the manufacture of acrylic polymers and other plastics in on Earth in the late 20th century. A chemist employed there developed the molecular matrix for transparent aluminum.

Polaric Ion Energy--Highly energetic but unstable power source. Although early research showed polaric energy as a promising means of providing power on a planetary scale, its use ran serious risks of uncontrolled chain reactions through subspace.

Polaric Ions--A very unstable power generation system. The Federation prohibited experiments with polaric ions in 2268.

Polarization Cloak--Invisibility screen.  A polarization cloak can be disrupted by use of a magneton sweep. Illegal within the Federation.

Polaron Beam--Beam of polaron particles. The Borg use polaron beams for scanning.

Polycomposite--Synthetic material used in the construction of Federation starship hulls.

Polydeutonic Alloy--Advanced metallic material, the product of 29th century science.

Polyduranide--Construction material used aboard Federation starships. Although normally not flammable, polyduranide emits dangerous radiation when exposed to extremely intense heat.

Polyduranium--Metallic alloy. Polyduranium is used in the bulkheads of Federation starships.

Polyferranide--Metallic compound. On Federation starships, polyferranide is used to seal warp coils.

Polysilicate Verterium--Substance that can be combined with monocrystal cortenum to create a densified composite material, verterium cortenide.

Port--Ancient nautical term referring to the left side of a ship, as opposed to the starboard (right) side.

Portation--Transporter technology used by the Voth in the Delta Quadrant.

Positron Beam--Energy beam consisting of a stream of positron particles.

Positronic Brain--An extremely advanced computing device that uses the decay of positrons to form sophisticated neural network systems.

Power Conversion Level--Measurement of the actual usable energy obtained from an energy- conversion system, such as the matter/antimatter reaction in a starship's warp drive. Typically, Federation starships can utilize 97 percent of the energy created in the matter/antimatter reaction, an extrememly high level.

Power Transfer Conduits--Conduit system on a starship, which transfers high-energetic plasma from the warp core to the warp nacelles.

Pralor Automated Personnel Unit--Sentient humanoid automatons built long ago by the Pralor people in their war against the Cravic. The Cravic, in turn, developed nearly identical automated weapons to counter the use of the Pralor Units. Both sides programmed these robots to destroy their enemy. Eventually, the Pralor and Cravic sued for peace, and recalled their soldier automatons. The Automated Personnel Units built by both sides correctly viewed peace as a threat to their existence, and now regarded their Builders as their enemies. Pralor and Cravic units turned on their creators, wiping them out utterly. Once their builders were gone, the Pralor and Cravic automated units continued to wage war on each other. Both the Pralor and Cravic builders took the precaution of designing the automated units' chromodynamic power modules to be impossible to replicate, thereby making the robots incapable of reproducing themselves. The Pralor automated units and their ships were silver-gray colored, while the Cravic units and ships were golden.

Pralor Automated Personnel Unit 3947--Humanoid automaton built by the Pralor to fight in a war against robots built by the Cravic.

Pralor Automated Personnel Unit 6263--Humanoid automaton built by the Pralor to fight in a war against robots built by the Cravic.

Pressor Beam--Repulsor beam.

Primary Hull--Other name for the saucer section on a starship.

Primary Security Net--Part of a starship's security system.

Probability Mechanics--A required course offered at Starfleet Academy.

Probe, the--Alien space probe of unknown origin that wreaked ecological havoc on planet Earth in 2286 when it attempted to contact the intelligent species, humpback whale, on that planet. The whales were extinct at that time. The damage to Earth's biosphere occurred when the probe failed to make contact with any humpback whales and increased the power of its carrier wave to tremendous levels.

Progressive Memory Purge--Computer programming program.

Protected Memory--In a computer system, an area of core memory designed to be impervious to erasure.

Protectors--Another name given to the filter masks provided to the Troglyte mining workers on planet Ardana to negate the deleterious effects of the zenite gas.

Prototype Automated Personnel Unit 0001--Humanoid automaton patterened after the Pralor Automated Personnel Units. This prototype is unlike other Pralor units in that it possesses a power module that can be easily replicated. It was destroyed in 2372.

Proxima Maintenance Yards--Starfleet starship maintenance facility.

Proximity Transceiver--Borg device that permits the collective to locate a drone if it becomes separated from the collective. A drone's proximity transceiver is activated in the presence of another drone.

PXK Reactor--Antiquated power-generation device.

Quad--Unit of computer measurement, like the unit 'byte' in the 20th century. The isolinear chips in the computers have a capacity of 2.15 kiloquad.

Quantum Resonance Oscillator--Component of a Federation transporter module.

Quantum Slipstream Drive--Advanced warp propulsion technology, similar to Borg transwarp drive. Quantum slipstream drive is capable of speeds far greater than conventional warp drive, without using antimatter. The drive operates by routing energy from the quantum drive through deflector emitters to create a slipstream through subspace. Due to its instability, it is unsafe for humanoid use.

Quarantine Transmitter--Standard equipment on Federation starships, these radio beacons are capable of transmitting automated warning messages should a ship become dangerously contaminated.

Quaratum--Chemical compound used in Starfleet emergency thruster packs. Quaratum is normally quite stable, but becomes explosive when exposed to radiation exceeding 350 rads.

Radiometric Converter--Components of a Federation starship's energy by-product processing system. Radiometric converters are employed to purify reactants to eliminate any toxic waste. The converters also absorb hazardous theta radiation, recycling it so that ti can be used to power a variety of subsystems.

Ramscoop--Device that employs powerful magnetic fields to collect interstellar hydrogen for use as fuel for a space vehicle.

Rapid Nadion Pulse--A burst of subatomic nadion particles that facilitate a release of energy from the emitter crystal in a phaser.

Reaction Stabilizers--Integral component in  Cardassian designed spacestations' main fusion reactor. If the reaction stabilizers were disengaged, the reactor would overload, more than likely resulting in the destruction of the station.

Recalibration Sweep--Systematic analysis and correction of instrumentation on space stations. Rematerialization Subroutine--Portion of the operation cycle of a transporter that controls the restoration of the matter stream to it's original form.

Recall Subroutine--Component of the computer control system of the sophisticated Kohl hibernation system. The recall suboutine pgoram was responsible for reviving the hibernating persons when the environmental conditions on the planet were again favorable for surface habitation.

Reconnaisance Probes--Probes used primarily in war time to detect long range ships.

Recorder Marker--Small data-storage buoy designed to be ejected from a spacecraft when destruction of that vessel was believed imminent. When recovered after the disaster, the information from the recorder marker would serve to help reconstruct the incidents leading to the ship's destruction.

Rectilinear Expansion Module--Data-processing device used by Starfleet computing systems such as those used in a starship's security protocol system.

Rector Linear Expansion Module--Part of a starship's energy system.

Recursion Matrix--Algorithmic construct that forms the cipher key to decrypting a coded data stream.

Redlining--Engineering slang meaning to reach or exceed maximum safe levels.

Regenerative Shielding--Shielding which can regenerate on his own. The experimental prototype, USS Prometheus is equipped with regenerative shielding.

Relay Satellite--Automated communications station used to amplify and retransmit subspace messages.

Rematerialization Subroutine--Portion of the operation cycle of a transporter that controls the restoration of the matter stream to its original form.

Replicating Center--Facility aboard some starships containing several replicator terminals at which crew members could order a wide variety of products that would be produced on command.

Replicator--Device used to reproduce specific objects. Replicators are based on transporter technology. Starships have a small supply of bulk material that is constantly recycled into needed materials and items. When a request is made at a replicator terminal, the waveguide conduit system on the ship relays a small amount of bulk material to the replicator, which uses it to create the materials called for in the pattern. The object is then beamed in at the terminal.

Repulsor Beam--A modified tractor beam. Also called a pressor beam.

Resonance Emitter--Engineering component aboard Jem'Hadar attack vessels.

Resolution Failure--Malfunction of a holodeck holographic imagery system, which can cause the loss of background environments within the simulation.

Resonant Particle Wave--Energy-dampening emission used by the Delta Quadrant civilization known as the Swarm. The resonant particle wave causes warp fields to collapse, rendering warp propulsion inoperative.

Reverse-ratcheting Router--Special tool used to create a gouge.

RF Power Conduit--Waveguide device used for radio-frequency energy transmission.

Riddinite--Brick-like building material.

Rodinium--One of the hardest substances known to Federation science. Many Federation outposts' protective shell are constructed of this substance.

Root Canal--Engineering slang used to describe a rebuilding of a computer or other system's software from the ground up. Usually performed when the system is considered to be beyond conventional repair.

Root Command Structure--The basic computer programs that control the Borg collective.

Rotating Modulation--State of shielding.

Rubindium Crystal--Component of subcutaneous transponders.

Runabout--Vehicle used by starships, spacestations or on planets when a large starship is not required.

Safety Protocol--Subroutine of some holographic environmental simulators (such as a holodeck or holosuite) designed to prevent the exeperience from injuring or killing the participant.

Saltzgadum--A substance capable of causing nucleosynthesis in silicon. It is not normally detectable to a starship's internal sensor scans.

Sarium--Material used in space-borne constuction.

SATCOM 47--Communications relay satellite in Earth orbit operated by Chronowerx industries.

Saturn NavCon--A navigational control satellite in orbit of planet Saturn, which performs sensor sweeps of the Academy Flight Range.

Saucer Section--The saucer of a starship.

SCM Model 3--Small handheld superconducting magnet used aboard starships.

Secondary Hull--Other name for the StarDrive section of a starship.

Secondary Plasma Conduit--Component of a Federation starship's warp drive system.

Secondary Warp Plasma Feed--Part of a starship's, or runabout's warp drive system.

Seismic Regulator--Device used to control seismic activity in a planet's crust.

Self-destruct Sequence--Command program in the main computer system of Cardassian station Terok Nor enabling the destruction of the station should it fall into non-Cardassian hands.

Self-replicating Mine--Free-floating explosive device incorporating a replicator subsystem.  A field of self-replicating mines is extremely difficult to deactivate because any mines that are destroyed would immediately be replaced by duplicates.

Self-Sealing Stem Bolts-- Useful gizmos.

Selgninaem--A highly toxic substance capable of causing nucleosynthesis in silicon. Not normally detectable aboard starships.

Selton--Unit of measurement to the inhabitants of the village on planet Barkon IV.

Sentry--A tightly confined annular forcefield on the moon Lambda Paz in the Pentarus star system.

Servo--Multipurpose tool used by Gary Seven on Earth in 1968. The servo was a device of extraterrestrial origin that had a variety of functions, from opening locked doors to serving as a weapon.

Shape-shift Inhibitor--Device that generates an energy field capable of preventing a shape-shifting being from altering its form.

Shield Frequency--Value that represents the energy of a deflector shield. Expressed in Hertz (Hz). An object can penetrate the shield when it has the same frequency as the shield.

Shield Harmonics--The interaction of different frequencies of force-field energy present in a deflector shield. Shield harmonics vary with the modulation, geometry, frequency, and nutation of the shields. This set of data could be used like a fingerprint to identify ships by type, class, and origin.

Shield Nutation--Engineering term measuring variations in shield-frequency phase rotation.

Shields--Energy fields used to protect starships and other vessels from harm resulting from natural hazards or enemy attack. Also referred to as deflectors, deflector shields, or screens. The transporter cannot function when shields are active. The exact modulation frequency or a particular shield system is a critical data point. Matching the modulation, frequency, and nutation of a deflector system could, with certain energy weapons, make it possible to penetrate the shield.

Ship Recognition Protocols--Codified system of superstructure landmarks for rapidly identifying starships.

Ship's Log Recorder--Small data-storage device that is used as a repository for all starship logs. In the event of a catastrophic event aboard ship, the log recorder is jettisoned so a record of the ship's activities can be found.

Shroud--Personnel cloaking technology used by the Jem'Hadar.

Shuttle--Small spacecraft, used for research or on away missions.

Shock Pulse--Powerful energy discharge created by a starship's warp core.

Shuttle Escape Transporter--Small short-range personnel transporter built into some Starfleet shuttlecraft.

Sirillium--A highly combustible and versatile energy source. Sirillium gas is found in certain types of nebulae. It can be used to boost deflector-shield efficiency and as a warp-plasma catalyst.

Site-to-site Transport--Also known as direct beaming, the process whereby a transport subject is beamed to the transporter from a remote location. Instead of being materialized in the chamber, the subject is then transported directly to another location.

Skeletal Lock--Unorthodox technique for transporter operation improvised by B'Elanna Torres in 2373. Torres, unable to establish a transporter lock by conventional means, was able to use sensors to scan for the minerals in the transport subject's bodies.

Skimmer--Military vehicle used by the Cardassian military during the occupation of Bajor.

Slingshot Effect--Spaceflight maneuver in which a vessel closely approaches an astronomical body, using the body's gravitational field to provide additional speed. At warp speeds, the slingshot effect can propel a ship into a time warp.

Soliton Wave--An experimental means of faster than light spacecraft propulsion using planet based soliton wave generators.

Sonic Shower--Personal hygiene device used for bathing aboard Federation starships.

Sonodanite--Metallic alloy used in Federation shuttlecraft.

Soong-Type Android--Term used to describe artificial humanoid life forms using designs developed by Dr. Noonien Soong.

Sorium--Explosive compound. Sorium is used in Ferengi locator bombs.

Space Dock--Massive station providing service facilities for Starfleet vessels. The Federation has numerous space docks scattered around its territory.

Space Door--Outer portal of an airlock or hangar deck that opens directly into space.

Space-Normal--Technical term describing slower than light (non-warp) travel.

Space Walk--To leave the artificial environment of a spacecraft or station, entering the microgravity vacuum of deep space. Space walks are often performed for exterior maintenance on a space vehicle or for scientific and exploratory missions. Most humanoid species require the use of an environmental suit during such extravehicular activities.

Spatial Orientation Systems--Subsystem of a holodeck computer responsible for the orientation of objects in the holodeck environment.

Starboard--Ancient nautical term referring to the right side of a ship, as opposed to the port (left) side.

Stardrive Section--The section of a starship in which Main Engineering and the propulsion systems are located. Also known as the Secondary Hull.

Static Warp Shell (Bubble)--A symmetrical subspace bubble, often toroidal or spherical in three-dimensional profile. A static warp shell cannot be used for warp-propulsion applications because warp drive requires as asymmetrical warp field.

Steelplast--Construction material used in the tunnel network beneath the capital city of planet Mordan IV.

Structural Breach--Break or hole in the hull of a starship.

Structural Integrity Field--Shaped forcefield used on Federation starships to supplement the mechanical strength of the ship's spaceframe.

Subatomic Particle Shower--Potentially hazardous side effect of a near-critical warp-core shock pulse.

Subcutaneous Transponder--Small device inserted under the skin and used by Starfleet to track an individual.

Subdermal Communicator--Small transmitter/receiver device implanted under the skin.

Sub-Impulse Speed--Other word for sublightspeed.

Sublight--Scientific term describing space-normal speeds (slower than light).

Submicron Matrix Transfer Technology--New Technique for replicating existing neural net pathways in a positronic brain into another positronic brain.

Subroutine C-47--Computer software on Federation starships responsible for noncritical systems such as replicator selections and recreational programming.

Subsonic Transmitter--Device used on planet Omicron Ceti III to drive the spores from the surviving colonists' bodies in 2267. The subsonic transmitter broadcast an irritating frequency that was described as like spreading itching powder on the affected individuals.

Subspace Beacon--Signal capable of traversing subspace. The combadges worn by Starfleet personnel are capable of serving as subspace beacons.

Subspace Compression--Phenomenon resulting from differential fields potential values in nearby portions of the same warp field. Subspace compression can cause different parts of an object to have different inertial densities, resulting in structural strain on the object. In severe cases, subspace compression can tear an object apart at the subatomic level. Depending on relative field symmetries, subspace compression can also cause numerous other, often unpredictable, side effects.

Subspace Field Inverter--A piece of equipment not normally included in the inventory of a Federation starship. This device is capable of generating low levels of Eichner Radiation, which were found to stimulate growth of certain strains of deadly plasma plague.

Subspace Radio--Communications system using transmission of electromagnetic signals through a subspace medium rather than through normal relativistic space. Subspace radio transmits signals much faster than light.

Subspace Resonator--Field manipulation device.

Subspace Shunt--Device used to gain unauthorized control of computer systems. Attached to a secondary system, the shunt could be used to bypass normal security lockouts.

Subspace Transponder--Device used to aid in the location of objects in space such as ships or flight recorders.

Subspace Transporter--Matter-energy teleportation system capable of transporting matter over several light-years, much further than possible with conventional transporter technology. A subspace transporter is capable of penetrating a starship's defensive shields. The process is dangerous, since in order to transport matter through subspace, it must be put in a very unstable state of quantum flux. The Federation abandoned its research in the field because it found the technology unreliable.

Superlight Speed--Speed above lightspeed.

Symmetric Warp Field--Uniformly shaped subspace bubble that is incompatible with warp propulsion.

T-9 Energy Converter--Sophisticated power device stolen by the Ferengi from an unmanned Federation monitor post on planet Gamma Gauri IV.

Tachyon Detection Grid--Technique using a network of active tachyon beams to detect cloaked ships passing through the net.

Tachyon Eddies--Phenomenon of tachyons, causing anything caught in them to move faster than light.

Tachyon Scan--Romulan vessels use tachyon scan sensor technology. A tachyon sweep of a nebula can be used to detect cloaked vessels within.

Talgonite--Ceramic substance used in the construction of the Kataan probe.

Tanium--Material used in starship hulls. Different forms of tanium are used by different species. The Federation uses tritanium in its starship hulls.

Targ Scoop--Device used on the front of Klingon ground-assault vehicles. Targ scoops prevented collisions with targ herds by emitting a high-frequency tone which dispersed the animals away from the vehicle's path.

Targeting Scanner--Sensor visual display device used for tactical applications.

Tekasite--Unstable material.

Tellerium--Material used as an antimatter reaction-rate facilitator in the warp core of Federation starships.

Temporal Mechanics--Study of time, its processes, and consequences of its change. Temporal mechanics is an enormously complex subject because of the infinitely complex interrelationships between each object in a time continuum.

Temporal Shielding--Starship shielding that prevents chroniton torpedos from penetrating a ship's deflector shields.

Terrahertz--Measure of frequency, one trillion cycles per second.

Terawatt--Measure of power. One trillion watts.

Terminium--Metal alloy used in the casing of photon torpedoes.

Terrawatt--Measure of power, 10 to the 12 watts, or one trillion watts.

Teralubisol--A highly volatile liquid lubricant used aboard starships.

Terraforming--In engineering, terraforming refers to any of several very large-scale engineering and biological techniques in which uninhabitable planetary environments can be altered so that a planet can support life. The Federation enforces very strict regulations regarding terraforming, to protect any indigenous life-forms that might be threatened by such projects.

Tetraburnium Alloy--Construction material used in the fabrication of spacecraft hulls. Tetraburnium alloys are stronger than titanium.

Tetryon Field--Contiguous field of subatomic particles produced when a phased ionic pulse comes into contact with a metaphasic shield.

Thermal Deflector--Protective forcefield used on planet Bersalis III to shield the Federation outpost from a Bersallis firestorm.

Thermal Interferometry Scanner--Device for measuring distances by means of the interference of thermal gradients.

Thermoconcrete--Construction material mostly made of silicon used by Federation starship personnel to build emergency shelters.

Theta-Matrix compositer--A component of Federation starships' warp drive. The device made dilithium recrystallization ten times more efficient than on Excelsior Class starships.

Thoron Field--High energy field used to block sensor scans from an outside source.

Thought Maker--A small spherical device of Ferengi manufacture designed to control neural activity in a humanoid brain. The thought maker transmits a low-level electromagnetic signal at its victim, enabling it to implant sensory experiences or trigger memories. Illegal in the Federation.

Thruster Suit--Protective garment designed to allow humanoid starship crew members to work in an airless environment. A thruster suit also incorporates a small propulsion unit to permit maneuvering in weightless conditions, intended for emergency evacuation.

Thrusters--Starship propulsion system based on chemical reactions. Federation thrusters use hydrazine as fuel. Thrusters are much slower than impulse drive and are used, for example, during docking procedures.

Timeship--Federation vehicle in use in the 29th century, capable of navigating through time using artificially generated temporal rifts.

Titanium--Dark gray metallic element, atomic number 22. Lightweight and very strong, titanium was used extensively in early spacecraft.

Tonkian Homing Beacons--Technology designed to send out a signal in order to direct a ship to the area.

Topaline--Rare mineral needed for colonial life support systems.

Toranium--Extremely strong Cardassian metal used to line the corridors on their deep space stations. Standard phasers are ineffective at cutting through toranium inlays and a bipolar torch is recommended.

Touch and go downwarping--A maneuver in which a starship drops briefly out of warp into normal space, then quickly accelerates back to warp speed.

Tractor Beam--A focused linear graviton force beam used to physically manipulate objects across a short distance. Tractor beams are used by Federation starships and other space vehicles as a means of towing other vessels. Tractor beams are also used to provide short-range guidance for approaching or departing shuttlecraft.

Trajector--Transporter device used by the Sikarians, a Delta Quadrant species.

Transceiver--Long-range communications device.

Translocator--Nyrian device used to transport persons and objects instantly across distances as great as ten light-years. The Nyrian translocator operated by creating a powerful spatial distortion field around the object being transported. The distortion field also created a surge of polaron particles.

Transluminal Processor--Computer computation unit incorporating incredibly fast processing capability. Federation starship computers employ transluminal processors.

Transparent Aluminum--Optically clear, structurally rigid material used for construction in the 23rd century.

Transponder, Emergency--A small device about the size of a lipstick case, capable of transmitting an emergency distress call across limited interstellar distances.

Transport, Near-Warp--Term used to describe use of the transporter at relativistic speeds (near to the speed of light).

Transport Scrambler--Device that prevents transporters from functioning.

Transporter--Matter-energy conversion device used to provide a convenient means of transportation. The transporter briefly converts an object or person into energy, beams that energy to another location, then reassembles the subject into its original form. Transporters are unable to function when deflector shields are operational.

Transporter Carrier Wave--A subspace signal through which a transporter beam is propagated. Romulan transporters, with minor adjustments, can be made to simulate the carrier wave of a Starfleet transporter.

Transporter Code 14--Command for an object to be dematerialized, then immediately rematerialized in a dissociated condition, effectively destroying the object.

Transporter, Emergency--Short-range transporter aboard a starship used for evacuation purposes. They generally have a range of 10 kilometers.

Transporter ID Trace--A computer record maintained by a Federation starship's transporter system, recording the identity of all transport subjects.

Transporter Inhibitor--Device that generates an energy field, preventing the operation of a transporter in an area of several square meters.

Transporter Sensor Log--Aboard Federation starships, a component of the transporter system that records transporter activity.

Transporter Targeting Components--Aboard Federation starships, a subsystem of the transporter that is responsible for determining the exact coordinates of the materialization site.

Transporter Test Article--A cylinder of duranium about one meter tall and 25 centimeters in diameter. Used to test transporter performance by beaming the article away and then back to a transporter pad, or simply beaming it between pads.

Translator--Electronic device that is a key component of virtually every piece of 23rd century Starfleet equipment.

Translocator--Transporter technology used by different species.

Transwarp Conduit--Artificially created subspace tunnel. Inside the conduit, the normal limitations of subspace travel did not apply.

Transwarp Drive--Experimental technology for increasing the efficiency and speed of starship propulsion systems.

Transwarp Speed--Speed higher than that achieved by conventional warp.

Travel Pod--Small shuttle vehicle used for inspection tours at Starfleet's orbital drydock facilities.

Tricorder--Handheld device, used for field measurements and having a tactical database. Tricorders can identify things such as particles, chemical substances and atmospheric composition. A medical tricorder is identical, but is programmed for medical use and has a small handheld sensor probe.

Tricorder Operations Manual--Instructional guide to Starfleet tricorders.

Tricorder Uplink--Information exchange transmission protocol used to send data between a tricorder in the field and a remote computer system or other tricorder.

Trilithium Isotopes--Key ingredient in Romulan plasma torpedoes.

Trilithium Resin--Highly toxic waste by-product created when dilithium is exposed to intense matter/antimatter reactions in a starship's warp engine core. The compound is extremely unstable and is generally regarded as useful only as an explosive.

Triolic Waves--By-product of an energy source employed by the beings on planet Devidia II. The energy source had deleterious effects on most living tissue, except for life-forms with microcentrum cell membranes.

Trionic Initiators--Component in starship warp cores. In rare circumstances, trionic initiators can create strange side-effects such as warp bubbles, subspace funnels, and other subspace deformations.

Tripolymer Composites--Material used in the construction of the android Data, who has about 24.6 kilograms of the material in his body. Tripolymers are not electrically conductive.

Tripolymer Plasma--Form of highly ionized matter used as a power source in the Automated Personnel Units built by the Pralor in the Delta Quadrant.

Tritanium--Exotic metal alloy used in the construction of Federation spacecraft hulls.

Turbolift--Elevator system of starships and starbases.

Turboshaft--Aboard a Federation starship or station, a passageway either horizontal or vertical, intended for use of the turboelevator system.

Ultrasonic Generator--Device used to create high-frequency sonic energy. Some crystal structures can be shattered by using an untrasonic generator to set up a sympathetic vibration.

Ultraviolet Satellite--Device capable of generating high levels of ultraviolet radiation.

Ultrawarp--Term used for warp drive.

Ultritium--A powerful chemical explosive, virtually undetectable by transporter scanners.

Umbilical Port--A series of exterior connection plugs on the outer hull of a starship. When a ship is docked at a starbase or other support facility, umbilicals are connected to the ship to provide an external supply of power, atmosphere, and other consumables to the ship.

Uniform Code of Justice--Federation legal guidelines governing the administration of justice. Chapter 4, article 12 granted a witness the right to make a statement before being questioned in a trial or hearing.

Universal Translator--Device used to provide real-time two-way translation of spoken languages. It operates by sensing and comparing brain-wave frequencies, then selecting comparable concepts to use as a basis for translation.

Uridium--Unstable mineral substance. Even in its raw form, uridium ore could explode if subjected to a strong electrical charge.

User Code Clearance--A code required to access the control systems of a starship.

Vacuum Tube--Ancient electronic component consisting of an evacuated glass envelope containing a heated cathode, often used to amplify a faint electrical signal.

Vanoben Transport--Spacecraft.

Vega IX Probe--A long-range automated Starfleet probe that was sent to record the collapse of Beta Stromgren in 2366.

Verteriumcortenide--Material of which the inner and outer surface of both the warp coils and impulse driver coils ( impulse drive) are made.

Verterons--Subatomic particles that allow a vessel on impulse power to pass through the Bajoran wormhole unharmed.

Ventral Impeller--Propulsion device mounted on the bottom of Jem'Hadar warships, used for planetary landing and takeoff.

Victurium Alloy--Metal used in the superstructure of some space vehicles. Transporters are unable to penetrate large amounts of this alloy.

Viewer--Generic term used to describe visual display screens used aboard Federation starships.

Virtual Display--Personal visual display device used for command intelligence aboard Jem'Hadar warships. The display requires the use of a headset, which creates a visual image that only the wearer can see, so that others aboard the ship have no indication as to where the ship is heading. Virtual displays were provided for the Jem'Hadar First and the Vorta supervisor.

Visual Acuity Transmitter--Small device that permits short-range transmission of visual images recorded by a VISOR.  The image displayed by the Visual Acuity Transmitter would contain an enormous amount of information, but would be diffucult for an untained human to view.

Viterium--Metal alloy. Exposure to delta radiation greatly weakens viterium, which is normally strong and resilient.

Voice-Transit Conductors--Telecommunications system used by the now-vanished civilization on planet Kataan.

Vorillium--Material utilitized in Federation starship engines.

Warning Beacons--Transmitter intended to inform nearby space vehicles of a potential hazard.

Warp--Form of FTL-travel that is used by many species around the galaxy.

Warp Bubble--An enclosed subspace field.

Warp Drive Class-7--Model of warp drive system used aboard the  Defiant and Warrior class starships.

Warp Field--The "bubble" of subspace in which a starship travels when using warp drive.

Warp Field Coils--Toroidal structures within a starship's warp drive nacelles that, when bombarded by high energy plasma, actually form the subspace "bubble" in which the ship travels in warp. Exposure to a verteron pulse can overload field coils, causing warp drive, and all other subspace systems, to fail.

Warp Field Effect--Cumulative damage to the structure of the subspace continuum caused by repeated exposure of an area exposed to warp travel. Areas with already preexisting subspace instability are particularly sensitive to the effect. As the exposure to warp field energy increases, so does the chance of a subspace rupture. The warp field effect is particularly severe when warp factor 5 is exceeded. Recently advancements in Federation warp drive technology make it possible to employ high warp speeds without causing excessive damage to the subspace continuum.

Warp Field Phase Adjustment--A procedure used to suppress the subspace interference generated by a starships warp engines.

Warp Five Speedlimit--Speedlimit introduced by the Federation, after the discovery that intensive warp drive use can cause severe damage to spacetime, causing subspace to manifest in normal spacetime on a macroscopic scale.

Warp Ten Barrier--The warp velocity limit.

Warp Coils--Parts of warp drive in which plasma is injected, creating the warp field. The warp field coils are the heaviest parts of a starship.

Warp Core--Central part of warp drive. The warp core produces energy to form the warp field.

Warp Factor--Measurement used to measure the ships speed at warp.

Warp Nacelle--Warp field generator powered by a tuned plasma stream from the warp core matter/antimatter reactor. Injectors feed the plasma into warp field coil segments at specific times, causing pulses to run the length of the nacelle, front to back.

Warp Particles--Subatomic matter created by a warp field. These particles can be used to open a subspace breach in the event horizon of a black hole.

Warp Plasma Particles--Residual amounts of plasma created during a matter/antimatter reaction. It has been determined that discharging a phaser or disruptor weapon in the vicinity of warp plasma particles will cause the particles to ignite. Transporter beams are also known to destabliize the plasma.

Warp Reactor--The matter/antimatter reactor in the warp core.

Warp Shadows--Energy phenomenon produced under certain conditions by warp-driven starships. Warp shadows have been known to cause sensor ghosts to appear on some types of sensors.

Warp Signature--Specific property of the warp field of a starship.

Warp Speed--Speed obtained by warp drive. Warp speed is usually higher than lightspeed.

Warp-Sustaining Engine--Engine on board torpedos, which allow torpedos to travel at higher warp than the ship from which it is launched for a brief period.

Water Pack--Starfleet issue package containing approximately 250 mililiters of drinking water, normally used for emergency survival purposes.

Weather Control Matrix--Planet-wide system of substations that control atmospheric humidity, cloud patterns, thermal changes and the flow of wind current.

Weather Modification Net--System used to detect and dissipate dangerous meteorological disturbances in a planetary atmosphere.

Uristic Subprocessors--Part of a starship's system.

Yeager Loop--An aerobatic maneuver executed by five single-pilot spacecraft. Starting in a Diamond Slot formation, the five ships would perform an immelmann turn in concert.

Yonanda--Huge asteroid-like starship world, which carried the survivors of the Fabrina nova.

Yoshimitsu Computer--Electronic dat-processing device.