Alien "Alloy"

This strange material comprises the bulk of the hull and structure of the captured alien vessel, and presumably all Collective ships. It is incredibly strong, yet light. Its density is just over 1/2 that of pure aluminum at 1.5 g/cubic cm. It is also non-magnetic. These rather banal facts are all that was initially known about the material.

Research on this project has begun. The composition of the material is not well understood yet. It cannot yet be duplicated, but existing quantities of the alloy can be recycled and re-purposed. The material seems to behave more like a polymer than a metal. The key to the material's strength likes in the fact that it is essentially hooked up to a power source. Electron flow throughout the material vastly alters its physical properties. Unpowered, it is extremely hard, but relatively brittle. Under current, it maintains its hardness, but does not break nearly as easy, like the difference between a pane of glass and a plate of cast iron. Unless being worked on in its more malleable state (achieved through the use of specific voltage/amperage combinations), the alloy will not bend at all. If stressed, it will break.

Current applications are somewhat limited due to lack of a portable power source. To advance research in this area, research into power systems will need to be completed. To advance to stage 2 research, Principles of Nanotechnology research must be completed.

The armored coveralls of the Behemoth soldiers encountered thus far appear to incorporate alloy plate inserts along with the alien fabric.