One aspect of the Star Trek universe that fans take pride in is its close adherence to the nomenclature of actual science. This commitment to realism and accuracy falls on the shoulders of Star Trek: Voyager Science Consultant Andre Bormanis.

"We try to keep up with what's going on at the cutting edge of physics, astronomy, biology, chemistry and so on, and work those ideas into our stories," Bormanis said last night in a news segment on UPN affiliate KCOP in Los Angeles. "The real challenge for us, I think, is trying to keep ahead of real science."

In fact, every now and then Bormanis, in order to serve the storyline, has to go outside "real" science and create fictional concepts that "sound" realistic. "What I think I'm most proud of is the 'duonetic field,'" Bormanis said, referring to a term he invented for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Paradise." The plot required that no Starfleet equipment could work on the surface of a planet, but there needed to be a believable reason why. More realistic terminology would require too much "techno-babble," so Bormanis coined the term "duonetic," a variation on language used in the original Star Trek series.

Rick Berman, currently Executive Producer of Star Trek: Voyager, acknowledged that the show's creative staff learned early on that a science consultant is critical to the show's success. This is because the fans demand not only a solid scientific foundation, but also a universe that remains consistent unto itself. Berman noted that in one show, "We had a phaser come out of a photon torpedo port as opposed to a phaser port--and we didn't know the difference--and we got 600 letters in three days." As consultant, Bormanis helps keep the producers and writers on track in this respect as well.

Bormanis -- who has a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in science, technology and public policy -- expressed how satisfying it is to work on the show that inspired him and many others to enter the field of science. "What better tribute to the power of that show to inspire people" than to contribute to the show itself, he said.