Element zero

Element Zero, also known as eezo, is a substance used in Mass Effect for the titular mass effect technology. When exposed to an electrical current, element zero releases dark energy to create a mass effect field.

In their most basic form, mass effect fields either increase or decrease the mass of matter held within. A wide variety of more complicated applications exist for element zero, most notably faster-than-light travel. A ship's mass effect drive generates a mass effect field that extremely decreases the ship's mass as well as effectively raising the speed of light within the field, making normal FTL speeds possible. Other applications of element zero and mass effect fields include kinetic barriers, artificial gravity, and mass accelerator weapons. In utero exposure to dust-form element zero can cause development of latent mass effect field manipulation abilities, called biotics.

Element zero is generated when solid matter, such as a planet, is affected by the energy of a star going supernova. The material is common in the asteroid debris that orbits neutron stars and pulsars. These are dangerous places to mine, requiring extensive use of robotics, telepresence, and shielding to survive the intense radiation from the dead star.