Iron is a Block D, Group 8, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of Iron's shells is 2, 8, 14, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d⁶ 4s². In its elemental form iron's CAS number is 7439-89-6. The iron atom has a radius of 124.1.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Iron is not toxic. Iron is the most commonly used metal for commercial applications due to its hardness, historical availability and low cost. Once used on its own, it is now alloyed with nickel and other elements to produce steel and other high strength, non-corrosive structural metals. Iron as a metal and as its many compounds has numerous uses. It is a primary colorant in glass and ceramics. It is a catalyst. It is the basis for low grade magnets and because of its magnetic properties is used extensively in memory tape. Recent applications for Iron nanoparticles include in water treatment of carbon tetrachloride in contaminated groundwater, magnetic data storage and resonance imaging (MRI) and in certain alloy and catalyst applications. Iron can also be introduced into processes using iron foil, pellets, rod and wire by thin film Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) processes including Thermal and Electron Beam (E-Beam) Evaporation, Low Temperature Organic Evaporation, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), Organometallic and Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) for specific applications such as fuel cells and solar energy. Iron is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and compounds as submicron and nanopowder. Iron was first discovered by Early Man.See Iron research below.

Carbon is a Block P, Group 12, Period 2 element. The number of electrons in each of Carbon's shells is 2, 4 and its electronic configuration is [He] 2s² 2p². In its elemental form carbon's CAS number is 7440-44-0. Carbon in its purest form has very low toxicity. Carbon black dust, such as soot or coal dust can cause irritation and damage to the lungs when inhaled in large quantities. Carbon In its elemental form is one of the softest (graphite) and hardest (diamond) materials found in nature. Applications for graphitic carbon include in lubricant formulations and as the replacement for lead in pencils. Diamond and diamond micropowder have numerous industrial applications due to its extreme hardness and resistance to heat and pressure, including in geological drilling bits, grinding media and as a high strength, high temperature abrasive.Graphene is a nanoscale ultra thin film or foil with thicknesses as small as 1 nanometer which can be produced from either silicon carbide or graphite flake processing. These include in drill bits and grinding media and grinding equipment. Carbon also finds application in steel alloys, in various filtering and purification technologies and as a neutron moderator in nuclear power plants. Carbon  is available as a nanoparticle and in single-walled, double-walled and multi-walled nanotubes with purities from 99% to 99.999% ( ultra-high purity ). Carbon was first discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825. The name carbon originates from the Latin word 'carbo' meaning charcoal. See Carbon research below.