The Pico-Jelly Key System is a security measure designed and developed by the Lorath Matriarchy in YE 30 utilizing Pico-Jelly as a critical component of a locking system of varying complexity.
These keys and locking systems are used in a myriad of applications from private civilian security, to state, and military applications, the complexity of the locking mechanism varying depending on the particular application.
First implemented in the Zahl-class Cruiser Type 02 in YE 30 starship the technology has been used throughout the Matriarchy as a means to further secure important locations or objects.
Initially simple in composition, functioning much like a traditional key, the Pico-Jelly key system required the insertion of the 'key' into a lock that contained a reservoir of Pico-Jelly which would fit itself into the recesses of the key before sending data to the lock to confirm the proper key had been used.
As the technology was refined over the years, the keys became more complex with some including internal reservoirs of Pico-Jelly that would fill out the interior spaces of the locking mechanism in tandem with the lock's own Pico-Jelly systems creating another layer of authentication.
Over time the mechanism and complexity of the key and lock system has improved and the mechanisms of high-security military grade locks are quite labyrinthine requiring a myriad of specific results in order for the lock to open.
Due to the wide variety of locking mechanisms, varying based upon the complexity of the lock there is no one form that is ubiquitous among Pico-Jelly keys.
The initial design of these keys was to be utilized by inserting the key into a special port in a locker or vault locking mechanism which contained a portion of Pico-Jelly. The Pico-Jelly in the locking mechanism then filled in the recesses of the key and sent data into the locking mechanism to confirm if the key is a match to the proper key configured to the lock.
Over the years since its inception the keys have come to include reservoirs of Pico-Jelly to interact with pressure sensors within the locks that require the Pico-Jelly to apply specific amounts of force at key points of the interior of the lock. Other locks require specific varieties and materials included in the Pico-Jelly to exist at specific points within the lock or as a part of the key. A final variation includes sending electrical signals through metallic Pico-Jelly to often in a specific sequence further increasing the complexity and preventing unauthorized access.
To this end some keys contain reservoirs of Pico-Jelly in their body, small computer components that provide control for the Pico-Jelly contained within the key as well as any digital keys that may be necessary to be transferred to the locking mechanism that the key is intended for.
Truly expensive, or “master keys” for a location might simply be a bauble that when activated or brought within proximity to compatible locking mechanisms will activate. This activation dispenses Pico-Jelly commanded to take the shape of the key that is required for the specific locking system, before awaiting insertion where upon secondary reservoirs of Pico-Jelly will handle more complex verification tasks.
Eistheid created this article on 2016/02/11 15:12.
Approved on 2016/02/15 16:30.