I'll be impressed if Dr. Smith is able to procure a source of dilithium crystals...perhaps develop a process to produce from lithium, then let the Chinese have a look at it...

Dilithium Crystals - A rare mineral substance used to channel energy through the matter and anti-matter warp drive engines of the starship USS Enterprise on the sci-fi series STAR TREK/NBC/1966-69 and sequel series.

Engineer Scot Examines a Dilithium Crystal

Dilithium was worth 300 times its weight in diamonds and sources of this much-prized element were coveted by other alien races who needed the mineral to power their own space crafts with warp capabilities (travel faster than light).

Dilithium crystals were also used to power phasers - futuristic weapons - that could stun or disintegrate their targets.

Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy) discovered the formula for creating synthetic Dilithium in 2286 in the motion picture Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986).

TRIVIA NOTE: During the first few episodes of the original series, the Enterprise engines used Lithium Crystals. A silly Star Trek joke floating about goes: "We've secretly replaced the Dilithium crystals with Folger's dark roast crystals. Let's see how long it takes for the Enterprise crew to notice..."

http://www.tvacres.com/metals_dilithium.htm