No, humans cannot change the number of protons in an atom through any known process or technology. The number of protons in an atom determines its elemental identity. For example, an atom with one proton is hydrogen, while an atom with six protons is carbon. This characteristic is fundamental to the nature of the element and cannot be altered by human intervention.
Changing the number of protons in an atom would require altering the atomic nucleus, which is currently beyond the capabilities of human technology. The process of changing the number of protons in an atom is known as transmutation, and it occurs naturally in certain nuclear processes, such as radioactive decay or nuclear reactions. However, these processes involve high-energy phenomena and are not easily controlled or replicated on a practical scale.
It is important to note that altering the number of protons in an atom can lead to the creation of different elements altogether. This is the basis of nuclear reactions and the production of new isotopes or elements in scientific research and applications such as nuclear power, particle physics, and radioisotope production. However, these processes are complex and require specialized facilities and expertise.