Trionic lattice

A Trionic lattice or Time Key was a small element essential in the workings of a time cabinet. It took the form of a small crystalline disk, and was very fragile, if it felt to the ground it would shatter in a thousand pieces. It apparently would also light up when in the vicinity of the time cabinet, allowing one to locate it.

Each Trionic lattice was unique, and therefore could be used as an irreproducible key to the time cabinet.

Magnus Greel used his Trionic lattice to locate his lost time cabinet, the Doctor shattered it preventing him from using it. (DW: The Talons of Weng-Chiang)