Cobalt is a Block D, Group 9, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of Cobalt's shells is 2, 8, 15, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d⁷ 4s². In its elemental form cobalt's CAS number is 7440-48-4. The cobalt atom has a radius of 125.3.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Cobalt has a metallic permeability two thirds that of iron. It exists as a mixture of two allotropes over a wide temperature range. The transformation is slow and accounts in part for the wide variation in the physical properties of cobalt. It is alloyed with iron, nickel and other metals to make Alnico, an alloy of unusual magnetic strength with many important uses. Samarium-cobalt is one of the highest strength magnet alloys known. Cobalt compounds produce a brilliant and permanent blue color in ceramic glazes, glass, pottery, tiles, and enamels. Co-60 is useful as a gamma ray source. Toxicity of cobalt and its compounds are mild by skin contact and moderate by ingestion. Cobalt 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. Cobalt was first discovered by George Brandt in 1737.

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.

Boron is a Block P, Group 13, Period 2 element. The number of electrons in each of Boron's shells is 2, 3 and its electronic configuration is [He] 2s² 2p¹. In its elemental form boron's CAS number is 7440-42-8. The boron atom has a radius of 79.5.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Boron is not toxic. Boron has an energy band gap of 1.50 to 1.56 eV, which is higher than that of either silicon or germanium. Optical characteristics include transmitting portions of the infrared. Boron is a poor conductor of electricity at room temperature but a good conductor at high temperature. Boron in its elemental form is not toxic. Amorphous boron is used in pyrotechnic flares to provide a distinctive green color, and in rockets as an igniter Boric acid is also an important boron compound with major markets in textile products. Boron compounds are also extensively used in the manufacture of borosilicate glasses. The isotope Boron-10 is used as a control for nuclear reactors, as a shield for nuclear radiation, and in instruments used for detecting neutrons. Boron nitride has remarkable properties and can be used to make a material as hard as diamond. The nitride also behaves like an electrical insulator but conducts heat like a metal. Boron also has lubricating properties similar to graphite. Boron was first discovered by Sir Humphry Davy and J.L Gay-Lussac in 1808. The name Boron originates from a combination of carbon and the Arabic word 'buraqu meaning borax. See Boron research below.