Electro-plasma

In high-power mechanics, 'electro-plasma (also known as warp plasma or drive plasma) is a super-energized plasma used to transfer energy from a central power source using plasma conduit transfer. In matter/antimatter reactions, dilithium controls the amount of power generated in the reaction chamber, which produces a steady stream of plasma. On Federation starships and outposts, as well as those of other major spacefaring species, electro-plasma is the main power transfer medium.

A Federation EPS (electro-plasma system) feeds 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 are smaller plasma conduits, with EPS taps that transfer power as electricity to all subsystems connected to the power transfer grid. If a plasma conduit or EPS tap ruptures, the contents could set off a plasma fire. (ENT: "The Forgotten"; TNG: "Disaster")

Energized electro-plasma may be stored in plasma canisters or plasma infusers for mobile use, and is 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")

References

2152

• The crew of a shuttlepod from the 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")

2153

• Captain Jonathan Archer managed to shake off the pursuit of fake Xindi-Insectoid ships, while in a simulated alien shuttle with Degra, by dumping warp plasma into their intake manifolds. (ENT: "Stratagem")

2154

• Ensign Travis Mayweather reported warp plasma pressure increasing as well as the anti-matter flow regulator locked open when the Klingons attacked the Enterprise NX. (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 tri-polymer 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 called Sutok, so he could study it and, hopefully, improve his own engine efficiency. (VOY: "Fair Trade")

2377

• It was discovered that the reaction of veridium isotopes with warp plasma will cause a warp core breach. (VOY: "Drive")