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In high-power mechanics, electro-plasma was a super-energized plasma used to transfer energy from a central power source using plasma conduit transfer. Extremely high-powered warp plasma, drive plasma, or magnetic plasma was used as a plasma stream to power the warp drive of a starship. Warp plasma was usually produced inside a dilithium controlled reaction assembly, where intermix between matter and antimatter occurred. On Federation starships and outposts, as well as those of other major spacefaring species, electro-plasma was the main power transfer medium.
A Federation EPS (electro-plasma system) was fed from a warp core on a starship, a fusion reactor on an installation or starbase, or an impulse reactor on a non-warp spacecraft. Besides the large warp plasma conduits (power transfer conduits), there were smaller plasma conduits, with EPS taps that transferred power as electricity to all subsystems connected to the power transfer grid. Drive plasma was regulated with warp plasma regulators and other plasma with plasma regulators. The flow of plasma was regulated using plasma flow regulators. If a plasma conduit or EPS tap ruptured, the contents could set off a plasma fire. (ENT: "The Forgotten", "Regeneration"; TNG: "Disaster"; DS9: "In the Hands of the Prophets", "In the Cards")
Energized electro-plasma could be stored in warp plasma canisters or plasma infusers for mobile use, and was used in plasma torches and plasma weapons (such as plasma cannons, plasma charges, plasma waves, plasma rifles, and plasma torpedoes). It may also be naturally-generated, such as the energetic anomalies found in plasma storms and fields. (DS9: "The Maquis, Part I"; VOY: "Caretaker")
Uses[]
- 2152
- While Enterprise NX-01 was attempting to outrun a Mazarite ship, the Mazarite ship began to vent drive plasma in an attempt to stop their engines from overheating. (ENT: "Fallen Hero")
- The crew of a shuttlepod from Enterprise NX-01 accidentally ignited the atmosphere of the Paraagan II colony. The atmosphere was saturated with electro-plasma and tetrazine, which, when heated, created an explosion large enough to wipe out the colony. (ENT: "Shockwave")
- While attempting to shake two Enolian patrol ships, Captain Archer vented the plasma from the prison ship he was piloting, and then used the ship's particle weapons to ignite the plasma, disabling the pursuing ships. (ENT: "Canamar")
- 2153
- In a simulation, Archer determined that a simulated Malosian cargo shuttle was apparently carrying five hundred liters of warp plasma, supposedly contained in the vessel's starboard tanks. He then managed to shake off the pursuit of fake Xindi-Insectoid ships, while in the simulated shuttle with Degra, by dumping the warp plasma into their intake manifolds. (ENT: "Stratagem")
In the final draft script of "Stratagem", there was said to be 5,000 liters of warp plasma aboard the Malosian shuttle rather than 500 liters.
- 2154
- Ensign Travis Mayweather reported warp plasma pressure increasing as well as the antimatter flow regulator locked open when the Klingons attacked Enterprise. (ENT: "Affliction")
- 2293
- Releasing drive plasma from the nacelles was one of the unsuccessful attempts of rescuing SS Lakul and SS Robert Fox from the Nexus. The method was suggested by Captain John Harriman. (Star Trek Generations)
- 2368
- The USS Enterprise-D was damaged by the USS Bozeman emerging from a temporal distortion in the Typhon Expanse and crashing into its starboard nacelle. The damage caused warp plasma to leak out and eventually caused a catastrophic warp core breach. (TNG: "Cause And Effect")
- 2370
- The failure of a plasma injector while inside the Bajoran wormhole sent the runabout USS Rio Grande into the mirror universe. (DS9: "Crossover")
- 2372
- During a trip to Earth, Quark, Rom, and Nog were accidentally sent back in time to 1947 when Rom had to expose the contraband kemocite to the warp plasma in an attempt to shut down the sabotaged warp drive of Quark's Treasure. (DS9: "Little Green Men")
- In the same year, the crew of the USS Voyager adapted tripolymer plasma to make it compatible with its systems. (VOY: "Prototype")
- 2373
- Neelix and Wixiban were forced to obtain some of Voyager's warp plasma for a criminal named Tosin so he could study it and, hopefully, improve his own engine efficiency. (VOY: "Fair Trade") Later that year, Forra Gegen and Tova Veer of the Voth obtained a canister of this warp plasma, which helped them to locate Voyager. (VOY: "Distant Origin")
- 2377
- It was discovered that the reaction of veridium isotopes with warp plasma would cause a warp core breach. (VOY: "Drive")