Intermix formula

An intermix formula was the mathematical formula for combining matter and antimatter in such a way that it resulted in the balanced implosion required for power generation in a warp core.

In 2266, the normal intermix formula used on the warp drive of starships required thirty minutes, or twenty two if hastened, to regenerate the core when it was initialized from a shut down state. The USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) became the first starship to test a theoretical new formula based on the relationship between time and antimatter. It involved a complete cold start of the core, without regeneration or heating of the antimatter. The crew were forced to use this theoretical formula when they attempted to avoid a crash landing to the Psi 2000 planet.

The formula worked, and the ship did not explode, even though there was only a ten thousand to one chance of success. It also had the side effect of generating more engine power than was possible to read with the ships instrumentation, and a warp speed greater than was theoretically possible to achieve in normal space. The ship escaped this time warp by simply reversing power.