High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The synthesis of precious metals, a symbolic goal long sought by alchemists, is only possible with methods utilizing nuclear physics, currently involving either nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. Since particle accelerators require huge amounts of energy while nuclear reactors produce energy, production methods using a nuclear reactor are considered more economically feasible. Often the goal of synthesis is to produce an element at a cost significantly less than the standard methods of production. Recovery of rare elements from spent fuel rods is also anticipated to help offset the cost of reprocessing.