Plasma clips what do the do

[Korpah]

in the beginning of a game when you capture a downed ufo you find items called plasma clips (if thats the right term, just sold them all so can't double check)

you can sell them for 1.000$ each but at a certain point in the game (i think cause of research) you no longer find them when capturing a downed UFO.

so my question: what is the use for these items and how come you no longer find them further in the game?

[Sathra]

They do nothing, so you can just sell them.

After you research Alenium, they are converted into alenium after a combat.

[Korpah]

ah, thanks for the info