Sarium was a material. Starfleet of the mid-22nd century used sarium microcells in powering a variety of their technologies. According to Veylo, the Vissians also used sarium microcells to charge their weapons. (ENT: "Cogenitor") As established in the final draft script of "Cogenitor", the claim that sarium microcells were used by the Vissians was actually a lie. A Vostigye space station destroyed by astral eddies in 2373 was constructed of sarium, boronite, and carbon-60 composites. (VOY: "Real Life")