New Matter

From Anathem Wiki

A form of artificially created matter with properties not found in normal matter. The nucleus of a New Matter atom is modified so that the protons and neutrons bind in new ways, which influences the energy levels of the electrons and can lead to very different chemistry and physical properties.

After the First Sack, the Avout were forbidden from any further research into New Matter and the technology was restricted. It was not eliminated, however, and New Matter continues to be used in a variety of items ranging from tires with animated pictures to adaptive telescope mirrors. The three items allowed an Avout, the bolt, chord and sphere, are also made from New Matter.

Some New Matter elements are very similar in behavior to standard matter, others are very different. For example, certain New Matter oxygen atoms are similar enough to still form water (H₂O) but bind weakly with hemoglobin in red blood cells. Also, due to the extreme specificity of enzymes and proteins, many biological functions are incompatible with New Matter.

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