Epidurium

Epidurium is a rare and obscure type of metal alloy. It is named after the epidermis, the outermost of the three layers that make up the skin. Epidurium is primarily used as the key material in the creation of the synthetic skin of the Life-Model Decoys. The details of the metal and its creation remain unknown. It was first located on Earth in a Renaissance-era facility.

## Properties

Epidurium's unique properties is its extensive malleability and flexability. When given a simple treatment with other materials, epidurium can mimic the properties of epithelium tissue, one of the four basic types of animal tissue (the others being connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue.) Epithelium tissue is a thin, continuous, protective layer of cells that line the outer surfaces of organs, blood vessels and inner surfaces of cavities in many internal organs, such as the epidermis, the protective outermost layer of skin.

Additionally, it can bond with the tissue itself or its constinuent cells, showing remarkable compatabiltiy with organic matter though the bonding process with other types of tissue have proven to be potentially harmful to the functions of the tissue. In fact, when bonded with uneven amounts of radiation, it will bond to the cell thoroughly to where the cells will attempt to create more of the metal in the body when undergoing mitosis, which can lead to chemical imbalances within the individual.

At room temperature, the metal is a heavily viscous solid. It can be transported within barrels and be poured out of a container though when poured out, it forms a thick pile rather than spread out. It can be handled with unexposed hands and is nontoxic. It has been compared to feeling like a "thick and heavy dough" when handled at room temperature. It conducts heat and at room temperature, is comperable to the average temperature of a living person.

## Usage

The first and most extensive usage of epidurium is in acting as the skin for the Life Model Decoys or LMDs. By combining epidurium with other materials (one confirmed substance being a deriative of Horton Cells), it creates a skinlike "shell" that feels, acts and responds like normal human skin, except being superhumanly durable. This skin is what allows LMDs to bypass the aesthetic pheomena known as the "uncanny valley" and to pass off as nomal human beings with virtually flawless success.

Beyond its usage in LMDs and related life-imitating robotics, it has seen little use elsewhere though it is sometimes used in cases for espionage and disguise, as noted in its usage through the criminal and ex-KGB agent, The Chameleon.

## Risks

Unprocessed version of the metal is able to not just bond with the skin, but begin bypassing and bond with the flesh as it is absorbed. Additionally, if exposed to uneven amounts of radiation, the metal can bond to the cells to where the cells will attempt to replicate the metal as noted above. Another risk is that the metal, if exposed to extensive uneven radiation would start becoming molten and causing the internal temperature of the tissue is bonded to raise. While the metal and the radiation may enable to tissue to withstand the high temperatures safely, it would begin causing permanant damage in the long run within the individual if not cured.

This phenomena was noted in the former criminal known as Molten Man, who was bonded with an extraterrestial source of epidurium that bonded with him after an explosively unstable procedure with vita radiation to a degree to where his cells began reproducing the metal alongside his cells at an alarming rate. Additionally, the extensive vita radiation that led to the binding has led to the metal quickly entering a glowing hot state and produce rapidly, enough to where he could release bits of the molten metal.