Scientists at the National Space Centre and the University of Leicester have come up with a new “space friendly” currency.

The QUID (Quasi Universal Intergalactic Denomination) was developed to:

…withstand the rigors of space travel – no sharp edges and no chemicals that could hurt space tourists.

“None of the existing payment systems we use on earth – like cash, credit or debit cards – could be used in space,” said Professor George Fraser from the University of Leicester. “Anything with sharp edges, like coins, would be a risk to astronauts while the chips and magnetic strips used in our cards on Earth would be damaged beyond repair by cosmic radiation.”

The QUID … is made from a space-qualified polymer – PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). This material is widely used by space agencies because of its durability and versatility. Earthlings know it better as “teflon,” and are well-aware of its resistance to high temperatures and corrosive materials. (Merchants will like the ease with which QUIDs slide out of consumer’s pockets.)

The rounded edges of the QUID make it safer, and also encompass the eight planets orbiting a sun which are part of the design. Each of the orbiting planets contain a serial number; taken together, these numbers will give each QUID disc a unique code to prevent counterfeiting.

As a Brit, I’m quite used to using the term “quid” to refer to money, although I didn’t think that it would ever be used as a term to refer to space-dosh.

I’m not entirely convinced by the “intergalactic” part of the acronym; I don’t think anyone who can afford to be a space tourist at the moment can afford to take an excursion outside the Milky Way Galaxy. I guess there’s no harm in thinking ahead, though.

The QUID is currently being exchanged at £6.25 (US$12.50).

This entry was posted Thursday, October 11th, 2007 at 8:59 am and is filed under science, space, technology. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.