An Element Buffer, or E-buffer, is a device used to adapt to environmental changes. Equipped to almost every high priority structure and spacecraft, E-buffers assist in keeping the insides of bases functioning and personnel safe in extreme situations. These situations can range from preventing freezing of ice planets to sweltering in alien jungle worlds. Some advanced versions are based off Protoss shielding to enhance resistance to lava from volcanic areas and heavy UV radiation exposure in space (Star Trek - TNG: Metaphasic shielding; Beast Wars: Rectifier coil).