Silicon is a common element present in stars and is a principal component of meteorites known as aerolites. It is also a component of tektites, a natural glass of uncertain origin, but believed by some to be ejected lunar material from Tycho crater (the current site of Tycho City). Along with germanium, it was a primary component in the production of transistors. (TNG: "Home Soil") Silicon makes up 25.7 percent of the Earth's crust, by mass, and is the second most abundant element, being exceeded only by oxygen.

Lifeforms Edit

The Organians watched a planet for ten thousand years, because it contained a silicon-based virus. They used the reactions of species that encountered it to determine the level of intelligence of that species, because carbon-based lifeforms cannot naturally defend against silicon. Among the species which the Organians observed with this silicon virus were Klingons, Cardassians and Humans. (ENT: "Observer Effect")

Silicon-based lifeforms were considered total fantasy by the Federation until the discovery of the Horta on Janus VI on stardate 3196. A silicon-based lifeform cannot survive in a Class M atmosphere for more than brief periods of time. They are also much less susceptible to phaser fire than carbon-based lifeforms; a shot at full power from an adapted type 2 phaser is capable of only mildly damaging one. (TOS: "The Devil in the Dark")

Another at least partially silicon-based lifeform was the microbrain of Velara III. It consisted of several inorganic elements and compounds, including silicon. (TNG: "Home Soil")

Related links Edit

• Bioactive silicon
• Disilicon polymer
• Polysilicate verterium
• Silica
• Silicate
• Silicon-based liquid
• Silicon-based parasite
• Silicon nodule
• Thermal concrete

External linksEdit

• Silicon at Memory Beta, the wiki for licensed Star Trek works
• Silicon at Wikipedia