Zinc is a Block D, Group 12, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of Zinc's shells is 2, 8, 18, 2, and its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s². In its elemental form zinc's CAS number is 7440-66-6. The zinc atom has a radius of 133.5.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 139.pm. Combined with other elements as ores, Zinc is found in nature. Zinc is considered non-toxicin healthy doses but can cause nausea if taken in excess. Zinc is a bluish-white, lustrous metal which we produce in Special High Grade (SHG) purities. It is brittle at ordinary temperatures but malleable at 100 to 150 o C. It is a fair conductor of electricity, and burns in air at high red heat with evolution of white clouds of the oxide. It has unusual electrical, thermal, optical, and solid-state properties that have not been fully investigated. The metal is employed to form numerous alloys with other metals. Brass, nickel, silver, commercial bronze, soft solder, and aluminum solder are some of the more important alloys. Large quantities of zinc are used to produce die castings, which are used extensively by the automotive, electrical, and hardware industries. Zinc is also used extensively togalvanize other metals such as iron to prevent corrosion. Zinc oxide is widely used in the manufacture of paints, rubber products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, floor coverings, plastics, printing inks, soap, storage batteries, textiles, electrical equipment, and other products. Zinc sulfide is used in making luminous dials, X-ray and TV screens, and fluorescent lights The chloride and chromate are also important compounds. Zinc is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.9999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and compounds as submicron and nanopowder. Zinc was first discovered by Andreas Marggraf in 1746. The element name Zinc originates from the German word "zin" meaning tin. See Zinc research below.

Manganese is a Block D, Group 7, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of Manganese's shells is 2, 8, 13, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d⁵ 4s². In its elemental form manganese's CAS number is 7439-96-5. The manganese atom has a radius of 136.7.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Manganese in excess is toxic, in particular the inhalation of manganese in powder or dust form. Manganese metal is a key component of aluminum alloys. Manganese oxide is used in dry cell batteries. Manganese is used in steel production to remove sulfur and oxygen. Manganese is the colorant in natural amethyst stones and is used in glass and ceramics to also create the amethyst color. It is used like the element cerium to "decolorize" glass by offsetting the green from impurities of ferric ions. Permanganate is a powerful oxidizing agent and is used in medicine. It is added as a nutritional supplement for both human and animal consumption. Recently, the oxide in the form of various perovskite structures have demonstrated applications in oxygen generation and solid oxide fuel cells. Manganese was first discovered by Johann Gahn in 1774. The name Manganese originates from the Latin word mangnes meaning magnet. See Manganese research below.