Molecular dynamics simulations used to investigate the kinetics for iron particle nano-drilling of graphene. Combined with experimental high resolution electron microscopy results, the work shows that the formation of carbon vacancies (or holes) is significantly enhanced by the presence of Fe nanoparticles via a catalytic activation of metal nanoparticles induced by electron irradiation. Nanoparticles are particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. In nanotechnology, a particle is defined as a small object that behaves as a whole unit with respect to its transport and properties. Particles are further classified according to diameter. Nanoparticle research is currently an area of intense scientific interest due to a wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, optical and electronic fields. Nanotechnology (nanotech) is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is an imaging mode of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) that allows for direct imaging of the atomic structure of the sample. HRTEM is a powerful tool to study properties of materials on the atomic scale, such as semiconductors, metals, and nanoparticles.