For centuries, scientists have tried to turn base metals into precious ones, most commonly lead into gold — even Isaac Newton, the father of modern science, was an alchemist.

几个世纪以来，科学家都在尝试将基本金属变为贵金属，最常见的是铅变成黄金——甚至现代科学之父艾萨克·牛顿也是一个炼金术士。

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The closest thing we have to modern-day alchemy may be the work of Kosaka Smelting and Refining, the Japanese firm that harvests gold and other valuable metals from old electronics.

可能最能称得上“现代炼金术”的就是小坂冶炼和精炼公司正在做的事了，这家日本公司从旧电器中回收金和其他有用的金属。

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We also know they readily conduct electricity and heat. Many metals form the strong framework on which our modern society is built.

我们也知道金属易于导电和传热，许多金属形成了我们现代社会的坚强框架。

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Rare earths metals play a large role in current modern technology, cruise missiles and other weapons systems.

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In the modern world, some hope to use green rust to remove toxic metals and radioactive elements from the environment.

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Most modern day central banks have fiat currencies as opposed to currencies backed by precious metals (Gold, silver, animal pelt, etc.).

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