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Metallicity refers to the quantity of any elements except hydrogen or helium. Although the word might suggest that it refers specifically to an electricity-conducting solid, astronomers use “metal” to describe any element heavier than hydrogen or helium.

This definition fits the missions of the Bobs and other Von Neumann probes, which use 3D printers to fabricate everything they need. Since the printers work at a molecular level, they require a wide variety of materials, not just heavy metals.

The Bobs use the term metallicity to describe the amount of heavy elements present in each star system they explore. Each system as an estimated metallicity, based on several factors related to the type of star. Systems whose metals have been harvested by The Others have a very low metallicity.

References[]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity