Imenite is a diamond-associated mineral. In kimberlites, ilmenite occurs as megacrysts and macrocrysts (monomineral nodules), as well as phenocrysts within a fine-grained groundmass. The chemical compositon of ilmenite from kimberlites is characterized by high contents of Cr, Nb, and Zr. Large grains sometimes demonstrate wavy extinction and a «mosaic» structure, indicating the influence of deformation processes after crystallization. Ilmenite is also found in lithospheric mantle rock ranges from 1.5% (Udachnaya pipe, center of Siberian craton, Yakutian kimberlite province) to 4-7% (Obnazhennaya pipe, northeastern margin of the craton). Ilmenite has a variety of morphologies. In the Mir and Obnazhennaya pipes, this mineral occurs as small, rounded, and elongated inclusions (up to 20-50 μm in size) in garnet and clinopyroxene, as well as needles and lamellae (up to 20-40 μm thick), following the crystallographic orientation of the host mineral. These are presumably exsolution structures. Lamellas show a wide range of chemical compositions, from 39.7 to 57.6 wt.% TiO2 and 4.2-12.5 wt.% MgO. Large variations in the compositions of ilmenite lamellas from pyroxene and garnet crystals suggest that these ilmenites formed as exsolution structures during the gradual cooling of initial pigeonite megacrystals. Ilmenite from mantle rocks forms relatively large (0.3–2 mm) isometric grains with thin elongations parallel to the banding and lenticular porphyroclasts with features of mosaic polygonality, indicating the initial stage of rock deformation. Thus, ilmenite from kimberlite xenoliths in the central Siberian Craton occurs in polymictic breccias and exsolution structures in other minerals and is predominantly of cumulative origin. Ilmenite from mantle xenoliths from northeast of Yakutia has a variety of morphologies, which allows us to distinguish several generations and indicates a multi-stage genesis and heterogeneous lithospheric mantle beneath the shallow northeastern margin of Siberain craton.

Passive thermal energy storage materials are increasingly recognized as cost-effective solutions for reducing cooling energy demand in regions with extreme heat. Organic phase change materials (PCMs), particularly paraffin wax, offer strong thermal buffering performance due to their high latent heat capacity. However, their inherently low thermal conductivity and limited structural stability reduce practical efficiency in passive cooling systems. This study aims to develop and evaluate mineral-enhanced organic PCM composites by incorporating UAE-derived minerals—specifically limestone, dolomite, silica sand, and gabbro fines—to improve heat transfer and mechanical integrity. Organic PCM composites will be prepared using paraffin wax blended with varying mineral loadings (5–25 wt%). Samples will be fabricated using simple casting techniques, and their thermal performance will be characterized through controlled hot-plate heating (≤90 °C), embedded thermocouple measurements, and cooling cycle experiments. Key evaluation parameters include melting and solidification behavior, heat absorption and release characteristics, thermal conductivity enhancement, and dimensional stability during repeated thermal cycling. It is anticipated that UAE minerals—particularly silica sand and dolomite—will significantly improve the thermal conductivity and stability of the PCM matrix. The expected outcomes will help identify safe, low-cost, and locally sourced mineral–PCM combinations suitable for passive cooling applications in building envelopes, rooftop thermal buffers, and compact thermal energy storage units. This proposed study demonstrates the potential of leveraging abundant UAE mineral resources to create sustainable, climate-adapted thermal energy storage materials for extreme desert environments.

Although sub-salt portions of the Atafona Formation—lacustrine deposits from the rift phase of the Campos Basin, Brazil—have been drilled in recent decades, no recent studies have focused on this new data from the formation. Additionally, detailed studies on the clay mineralogy of the formations are lacking, and there is also a gap in our understanding of the depositional evolution of the Atafona Formation. In this study, we used cutting samples from a pre-salt well to provide novel data and interpretations on the lithogeochemistry, mineralogy, depositional environment, and sediment provenance of the formation’s entire drilled interval. Analyses included X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD)—including clay mineralogy—and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), in addition to well log correlation. The primary clay mineral identified is saponite, with geochemical and fabric characteristics indicative of authigenesis, suggesting an alkaline paleoenvironment. Cycles of wetter periods, marked by increased detrital input, and drier periods, marked by increased carbonate formation, were identified. An increase in phosphorus, sulfur, dolomite, and strontium in the upper Atafona Formation suggests a possible growth in microbial activity. Elemental ratios indicate that the origin of acidic-to-intermediate igneous rocks causes the formation of detrital grains, although we propose an additional mafic source of calcium and magnesium supplied by groundwater flowing through the basaltic basement.

The crystal structure of CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃ belongs to the well-known α-CrPO₄ structural type. Phosphates with this structural architecture are considered promising candidates for alkaline-ion batteries. Within the crystal structure of CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃, iron and nickel atoms occupy independent octahedral sites. Nickel-centered octahedra share edges to form Ni₂O₇ dimers, which, in turn, link via vertices with FeO₆ octahedra to construct a three-dimensional framework. The presence of two different transition metal cations may give rise to rare magnetic states. Although a synthetic analogue of CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃ was previously obtained via a sol–gel method by Ouaatta S. (2017), its magnetic behavior remained uninvestigated.

In this work, CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃ was synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. A stoichiometric mixture of high-purity FeC₁₂H₂₂O₁₄·2H₂O, CaC₁₂H₂₂O₁₄, NiO, and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ was preliminarily annealed at 873 K to remove organic components, followed by a two-stage annealing process at 1273 K with intermediate grinding. Phase purity and chemical composition were checked by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃ undergoes a transition to a magnetically long-range-ordered state at T_c = 15.4 K with residual magnetization. This is confirmed by the presence of a hysteresis loop measured at 2 K. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility suggests the dominance of antiferromagnetic interactions in CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃. The weak ferromagnetism of CaNi₂Fe(PO₄)₃ motivates further study of the magnetic exchange interactions to elucidate the fundamental mechanism and applicative potential of the title compound.

The suture zone of the Tibetan Plateau is a hotspot for giant, high-steep rock landslides. The stability of these rock masses is controlled not only by diverse exogenic and endogenic processes but, more fundamentally, by ongoing mineral-geochemical processes within them. We investigated a typical schist/gneiss landslide body, enriched with an assemblage of albite (Ab), garnet (Grt), actinolite (Act), epidote (Ep), biotite (Bt), chlorite (Chl), and quartz (Qtz), through detailed field surveys and electron microscopy. This study reveals how the evolution of mineral parageneses governs slope stability and landslide initiation. Our findings indicate the following: (1) In schists and gneisses, primary high-strength minerals (e.g., garnet (Grt), hornblende (Hbl)) are commonly altered to sheet-silicates and fibrous minerals like chlorite (Chl), epidote (Ep), and muscovite (Ms) during retrograde metamorphism or hydrothermal alteration. These secondary minerals form foliated mechanical weak zones, significantly reducing the overall shear strength of the rock mass. (2) Key geochemical reactions, notably the chloritization of biotite (Bt) and sericitization of plagioclase (Pl), alter the geochemistry of local pore fluids, create preferential pathways for fluid migration, and intensify water-rock interactions. (3) Oriented parageneses of actinolite (Act), epidote (Ep), chlorite (Chl), and quartz (Qtz) constitute potential, bedding-parallel mechanical anisotropy planes. The rock mass becomes prone to instability along these weakness planes under tectonic stress or gravitational unloading. We conclude that for schist and gneiss slopes widespread in the suture zone, mineral-geochemical evolution is the intrinsic control on long-term strength and deformation behavior. Integrating paragenetic and alteration sequence analysis into stability assessments enables genetic identification of potential slip boundaries and prediction of rock mass degradation. This work provides a novel geochemical perspective on the deep-seated origins of large-scale landslides, showcasing a cutting-edge application of mineralogy to major engineering geological challenges.

Geochemical processes at the nanoscale constitute a rich microcosm of complex, intertwined reaction networks and molecular transport mechanisms. Crystalline and amorphous materials, water, ions, gases, and molecular entities altogether generate dynamic molecular ensembles that govern the essence of phase transformations, metamorphic and metasomatic reactions, as well as reactions in the setting of cements, pastes, and other manufactured materials, as well as silica-water reactions prerequisite to the origin of life. The current state-of-the-art theoretical description for these systems is still in its infancy. Thermodynamic and kinetic models rely on macroscopic laws and homogeneous mechanisms, where transport is often excluded from consideration. Reactive transport models, in turn, operate on large scales and employ simplistic kinetic models or thermodynamic solvers, thereby excluding the molecular complexity and heterogeneity of multi-phase systems at small scales. We discuss in this presentation hybrid approaches to modeling the behavior of complex geochemical systems at the nanoscale by employing methods from Molecular Dynamics[1], kinetic Monte Carlo[2], Cellular Automata, material transport, and other techniques under one conceptual theoretical framework. The research presented is relevant to the origin of life study, but can also be applied to other processes where complex heterogeneous systems cannot be understood by means of conventional modelling or experimental techniques.

[1] “Advances in Clayff Molecular Simulation of Layered and Nanoporous Materials and Their Aqueous Interfaces” (2021) Randall T. Cygan, Jeffery A. Greathouse, Andrey G. KalinichevJ. Phys. Chem. C, 125, 32, 17573–17589.

[2] “Mineral Dissolution Kinetics: Pathways to Equilibrium” (2021) Inna Kurganskaya, Andreas Luttge, ACS Earth Space Chem. 2021, 5, 7, 1657–1673

In human beings, metals have a role in biochemical and physiological functions, but an excess of metals concentration and consequent precipitation can result in adverse effects, triggering a variety of diseases.

In particular, Pb is a metal known to damage several organs in the body, and the literature emphasizes its effects on the central nervous system. Lead disrupts important mechanisms of neural systems, such as synapse formation, axon dendritic extension, and plasticity.

Moreover, other studies focus on the presence of both endogenous and exogenous magnetite in the human brain, which might preferentially adsorb Pb.

In this study, we investigate the interaction between Pb, in the form of Pb(NO₃)₂ , and magnetite nanoparticles smaller than 200 nm, as this isthe dimension that allows particles to pass through the blood brain barrier. This investigation focusses on a low-temperature and low-pressure environment, mimicking the human brain condition by means of a simulated biofluid (a phosphate buffer saline – PBS). Our goal is to understand the nanoparticles physicochemical state pre- and post-interaction, the Pb and Fe valence state at the magnetite surface or near-surface, and the adsorption capacity of such ions (Pb) by magnetite.

The experiment was performed by adding to a PBS suspension of magnetite nanoparticles, PBS previously mixed with Pb(NO₃)₂. The solution was kept at 39°C for 48h, rinsed with distilled water, and the solid phase was prepared for the following analyses.

The samples pre- and post-interaction were characterized using a multi-analytical approach combining PXRD, XPS, SEM-EDXS and TEM-EDXS. It has been observed that magnetite adsorbs Pb on its surface through the complexation of Pb with deprotonated surface hydroxyl groups, whichare critical functional groups.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful tool for nanoscale surface characterization, and the choice of substrate plays a crucial role in experimental success. Mica (muscovite) is widely used as one of the most preferred AFM substrates, particularly in the study of biomolecules and nanomaterials. Freshly cleaved mica offers several advantages, including atomic smoothness, chemical inertness, and ease of surface preparation. The smooth surface of mica, which requires no complex polishing, provides a perfectly plain base for high-resolution imaging of individual molecules, such as DNA, proteins, and lipid bilayers. This property allows for accurate measurement of the topography and mechanical properties of samples without artifacts introduced by substrate roughness.

Biomacromolecules are typically stored in a salt buffer, which requires the substrate to be rinsed to remove these salts after sample deposition. Therefore, there are several methods avaiable for modifying the mica surface to bind the target molecules. Here, we present three types of surface modifications of freshly cleaved mica for various AFM experiments that we use in our practice.

1) Mica surface modification with divalent metal ions. This modification compensates for the negative surface charge of mica, which is important when studying negatively charged biomolecules like DNA and RNA.

2) Binding of amino groups of APTES molecules to the mica surface. This is a universal method that allows for the active capture of various biomacromolecules from solution onto the surface.

3) Mica surface modification with active antibodies. With the A-protein, antibodies can be oriented with a specific epitope facing outward. This allows for the specific binding of viruses, bacteria, and their fragments.

The work was performed within the framework of the Program for Basic Research in the Russian Federation for a long-term period (2021-2030) (№122030100168-2).

Europe aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, increasing the demand for efficient, carbon-free energy carriers. Metal powders are a promising alternative to fossil fuels, as energy can be stored by reducing metal oxides and released through metal-air combustion. Metal oxides can be re-reduced in a closed-loop cycle. Iron, Al, and Mg are ideal candidates due to their energy density, availability, and recyclability. Supply-chain and environmental factors, such as Fe abundance, Mg energy density and recycled Al circularity, affect suitability and criticality. This study aims to assess variations of experimental parameters, combustion mechanisms and process optimization for heat production. This will support research on low-carbon energy carriers that are high in energy density, competitive with fossil fuels, sufficiently abundant, and easily recyclable.

For this study, Al₂O₃ and MgO powders were produced in a turbulent burner and a fixed-bed reactor respectively, under different initial conditions, including an excess of Al, water injection to produce hydrogen, or a variation of particle size before the combustion. The effects of these parameters on morphology and chemistry of the samples during oxidation–reduction cycles were then evaluated. The two metals were chosen to compare the influence of the metal type on the overall process. PXRD, SEM-EDXS, and TEM-EDXS techniques were used to identify the phases present in the samples allowing a characterization of their morphology, size, and chemistry, thereby improving the understanding of these processes.

The kinetic processes at the solid–liquid interface are a significant scope of study in physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and environmental sciences. A deeper understanding of the nanoscale processes at the barite–water interface is particularly critical due to the potential use of barite in nuclear waste repositories. Barite can incorporate radioactive isotopes of Ra and Sr and also serve as an efficient neutron-shielding material. Additionally, barite is now commonly used as a weighting agent in drilling fluids in the oil and gas industry.

We employed Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations to investigate barite dissolution under far-from-equilibrium conditions at nano- to micrometre scales. Previously (Kurganskaya et al., 2022; Trofimov et al., 2025) we described the macroscopic features and behaviour of the barite–water system. As the next step, we collected the statistical data on the key reactions governing barite dissolution. We found that the reaction kinetics cannot be captured in terms of the single rate-limiting kinks. Instead, the dominant role is played by the self-reproducing functional groups of the kink sites. These groups react slowly and thereby control the overall dissolution kinetics.

To obtain more information on the system of study, we analysed the fast reactions occurring at the kink sites, which contribute most to the material flux. Interestingly, these sites also tend to form self-reproducing functional groups. We observed that their detachment dynamics are non-linear at the beginning of etch pit formation and become linear after some time (specific to each kink site or kink site group).

This demonstrated that the processes at mineral–water interfaces can be more complex than previously thought.

Kurganskaya, I., Trofimov, N., Luttge, A., 2022. Minerals

Trofimov, N., Luttge, A., Kurganskaya, I., 2025. ACS Omega