nuclear physics is modern alchemy

An example of metaphor in a scientist's writing:

"The invariability of the properties of the elements in ordinary physical and chemical processes is directly explained by the circumstance that in such processes, although the electron binding may be largely influenced, the nucleus remains unaltered. With his demonstration of the transmutability of atomic nuclei by more powerful agencies, Rutherford, however, opened a quite new field of research, often referred to as modern alchemy, which, as is well known, was eventually to lead to the possibility of releasing immense amount of energy stored in atomic nuclei."

Neils Bohr (2010) Atomic Physics and Human Knowledge (first published 1961). Dover Publications, Inc.