The effect of sharp increase (by several orders of magnitude) in the growth rate of faces of helium quantum crystals, growing at temperatures below the superfluidity transition temperature, which was discovered more than a quarter of a century ago and still remains enigmatic, is interpreted within the quataron concept of nonclassical crystal formation.

Based on the analysis of the dramatic history of the development of ideas about the nucleation and growth of crystals, we discussed problem of building units in crystal growth. We showed that in the twenty-first century, the competitive advantage in the theory of crystal growth would be shifting to concepts of building units larger than individual atoms and molecules. New experimental data, testifying to the stable existence in crystal-forming media of prenucleation clusters-quatarons or other organized groups of atoms, exactly like the already formed crystalline particles, as well as the facts of the so-called non-classical growth of crystals with their participation allowed solving the old “Kossel vs Balarev” problem in a new way. At least, Balarev's ideas are no longer outsiders in the theory of crystal growth.

This message continues traditions of Russian mineralogy, which has always paid special attention to general methodological discussion of the state and prospects for the development of mineralogical science. The author wrote the message on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the publication of the programmatic article of Academician N. P. Yushkin “Priorities of mineralogy on the threshold of the 21st century” (Vestnik of the Institute of geology, Komi SC UB RAS, 1996, No. 5). We offer the author's list of priority problems that are now attracting the most attention and from the solution of which breakthrough results are expected. These are mainly problems or research trends entrenched in the large mineralogical agenda in the last decade (“growth points”). This list is named the “mineralogical list” for brevity. It is compiled by analogy with the famous list of important and interesting physical problems by Academician V. L. Ginzburg. The “mineralogical list” as well as the “physical minimum” is addressed to young researchers and can be perceived as a minimal educational program for mineralogists.

The characteristic features of the search, production and engineering of new materials in modern conditions are considered. We discuss the change of paradigm in materials production, associated with the transition from experience-based production of materials to the task-oriented production of materials based on knowledge and new technologies. The current agenda of innovative materials science includes “smart” materials and nature-like technologies. Nanotechnology has become a reality, capable of controlling and operating matter and processes on the nanometer scale. The priorities of the new stage of production (creation) materials are indicated. A great leap forward is expected in the following directions: 1) application of new nanotechnological concepts suggesting direct influence and action on separate atoms; 2) creating “smart” materials, materials — devices, materials — machines; 3) discovering, forecasting and design of new material absent in the nature; 4) producing materials under extreme conditions and for extreme conditions; 5) producing bioorganic materials and materials reproducing living matter; 6) developing so-called nature-like technologies.

Interstitial fibrous-matted micron-scale aggregates of few-layered graphene nano-flakes, multi-layered carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and fullerenoids have been found between quartz and potassium feldspar grains of slag-like high temperature and shock-metamorphosed rocks (polymictous sandstones) of the Dzharakuduk area (Kyzyl-Kum Desert, Uzbekistan). This is the first finding of few-layered graphene nano-flakes as well as multi-layered carbon nanotubes (with ~10 Å inner diameters) and their assemblages as mineral component of natural rocks. Amount of layers in natural few-layered graphene nano-flakes varied from 19 to 45. Mechanisms of few-layered graphene nano-flakes generation in natural rocks are discussed.

Abstract—The features of nonclassical nucleation of crystals, which are related to the formation of stable prenucleus clusters of an intermediate phase in a crystal-forming medium, are considered. These clusters (quatarons) are primary protomineral particles, whose crystallization is among the possible scenarios of their evolution. The formation conditions and typical properties of quatarons are discussed. The importance of experiments on direct observation of prenucleus clusters and other objects of protomineral world is shown.

A bit more than a hundred years ago Wolfgang Ostwald, Professor at the University of Leipzig, published a book titled "The World of Neglected Dimensions" (Ostwald 1923). He announced a program of a research breakthrough into the world of microscopic particles, which was imminent by that time. A new stage of the intervention into "world of neglected dimensions" began near the end of the 20th century. The main objects at this stage were nanosized particles. The agenda raised issue of development of new sciences, including nanomineralogy. The subsequent mineralogical intervention into the "world of neglected dimensions" proved to be quite successful. We associate challenges of the next breakthrough with the study of objects and processes in the range from individual atoms and molecules to the first mineral individuals (nanoindividuals). The protomineral world is today a new "world of neglected dimensions".

Рассмотрены особенности неклассического механизма зарождения кристаллов, связанного с образованием в кристаллообразующей среде устойчивых предзародышевых кластеров промежуточной фазы. Эти кластеры (кватароны) представляют собой первичные протоминеральные частицы, для которых кристаллизация является одним из возможных вариантов эволюции. Обсуждаются условия образования и характерные свойства кватаронов. Указано на важность проведения экспериментов по прямому наблюдению предзародышевых кластеров и других объектов протоминерального мира.

For the first time, the characteristic properties of protomineral (precrystallization) clusters-kvatarons-formed in supersaturated media and considered as special forms of the structural organization of matter in the nanoworld have been systemically described. The possible existence of such clusters was reported by us in 1998, and nowadays the phenomenon of precrystallization structurization of matter is already recognized as a proven fact, and there is still little information about their unusual properties and behavior, direct observations are absent.

Some new models of crystal nucleation and growth, which make it possible to form fundamentals of nonclassical cluster paradigm of crystal formation, have been proposed within the theory of cluster self-organization of material on the nanoscale. According to these models, crystal nucleation occurs according to the two-step mechanism through the formation of peculiar nanoclusters (“hidden”-phase clusters or quatarons) in the crystal-forming medium. These clusters are also considered to be the main building units during crystal growth.

For the first time, the dynamics of the origination and growth of monodispersion spherical silica particles is studied by dynamic light scattering in the real-time mode. Experimental changes in the particle size and intensity of scattering during their formation and growth indicate the hierarchical formation of silica globules under various mechanisms of aggregation of particles.