Solid state synthesis of carbon-encapsulated iron carbide nanoparticles and their interaction with living cells †

Superparamagnetic carbon-encapsulated iron carbide nanoparticles (NPs), Fe 7 C 3 @C, with unique properties, were produced from pure ferrocene by high pressure-high temperature synthesis. These NPs combine the merits of nanodiamonds and SPIONs but lack their shortcomings which limit their use for biomedical applications. Investigation of these NPs by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy techniques, X-ray spectroscopic and magnetic measurement methods has demonstrated that this method of synthesis yields NPs with perfectly controllable physical properties. Using magnetic and subsequent fractional separation of magnetic NPs from residual carbon, the aqueous suspensions of Fe 7 C 3 @C NPs with an average particle size of $25 nm were prepared. The suspensions were used for in vitro studies of the interaction of Fe 7 C 3 @C NPs with cultured mammalian cells. The dynamics of interaction of the living cells with Fe 7 C 3 @C was studied by optical microscopy using time-lapse video recording and also by transmission electron microscopy. Using novel highly sensitive cytotoxicity tests based on the cell proliferation assay and long-term live cell observations it was shown that the internalization of Fe 7 C 3 @C NPs has no cytotoxic effect on cultured cells and does not interfere with the process of their mitotic division, a fundamental property that ensures the existence of living organisms. The influence of NPs on the proliferative activity of cultured cells was not detected as well. These results indicate that the carbon capsules of Fe 7 C 3 @C NPs are air-tight which could offer great opportunities for future use of these superparamagnetic NPs in biology and medicine

Ecological Consciousness in a Shift of Scientific Paradigms

The analysis of the relationship between environmental conscious and scientific paradigms in different Western civilization development periods is presented in the article. The peculiarities of the influence of classical, non-classical and post-non-classical science on the types of environmental conscious characteristic of modern and postmodern societies are studied. The provision on the existence of the connection between the logical and philosophical attitudes of the New European (classical) science and the formation of the principles of anthropocentric environmental conscious that have ensured the formation of the anthropogenic civilization is proved. It is determined that within the framework of the non-classical paradigm the theoretical and philosophical foundations of the eco-centric model of environmental conscious begin to take shape. In the post-non-classical era the model of eco-centrism and worldview orientations directed to the development of the strategy for the safe interaction of nature and man is being formed on the basis of the theories of postmodernism and under the influence of modern cognitive practices. The influence of ontological and epistemological attitudes dominating within the framework of scientific paradigms on the formation of principles of nature management in anthropocentric and eco-centric systems of ecological conscious is traced

Technological convergence and innovative development of natural resource economy

An integral component of the innovative development of natural resource economy is the integration of technological solutions and investments in industrial production, the expansion of national manufacturing complex in the world market with the following change in the export structure. Implementation delay of convergent technologies may lead to the loss of Russian technological identity, strengthening raw vector of long-term social and economic development. In this regard, the relevance of the study of problems and obstacles to the implementation of convergent technologies in the economy of countries which specialize in production and export of mineral resources is increasing. To start the innovative development in Russian economy it is important to restore the dominance of modern industrial complex in it. This will lead to the decrease of pre-industrial economy and will contribute to the formation of post-industrial technological layer. Therefore, convergent and technological transformation of natural resource economy is imposed with the strategic task of improving profitability, investment attractiveness and international competitiveness of industrial production

Neo-Industrial and Sustainable Development of Russia as Mineral Resources Exploiting Country

In the Russian economy, the world leadership in the extraction of different mineral resources is combined with the potential for their processing and a significant scientific sector. Innovative development of raw materials extraction is impossible without the parallel technological modernization of the high-tech sector. In general, the complex of these processes is a neo-industrialization of the economy. Neo-industrially oriented transformation of the economy reflects complex changes in its structure, the transformation of established stable relationships between various elements of the system of social production that determine macroeconomic proportions. Neo-industrial transformations come along with the modification of economic relations associated with investments, innovations, labor and income distribution, with the process of locating productive forces and regulating the economy by the government. Neo-industrialization of economy is not only significant changes in its technological and reproductive structure (the development of high-tech industries, the integration of science and industry), but, above all, the implementation of a system structural policy of innovative development of raw material industry and the recovery of manufacturing industries on a new technological basis

Technological convergence and innovative development of natural resource economy

An integral component of the innovative development of natural resource economy is the integration of technological solutions and investments in industrial production, the expansion of national manufacturing complex in the world market with the following change in the export structure. Implementation delay of convergent technologies may lead to the loss of Russian technological identity, strengthening raw vector of long-term social and economic development. In this regard, the relevance of the study of problems and obstacles to the implementation of convergent technologies in the economy of countries which specialize in production and export of mineral resources is increasing. To start the innovative development in Russian economy it is important to restore the dominance of modern industrial complex in it. This will lead to the decrease of pre-industrial economy and will contribute to the formation of post-industrial technological layer. Therefore, convergent and technological transformation of natural resource economy is imposed with the strategic task of improving profitability, investment attractiveness and international competitiveness of industrial production

Neo-Industrial and Sustainable Development of Russia as Mineral Resources Exploiting Country

In the Russian economy, the world leadership in the extraction of different mineral resources is combined with the potential for their processing and a significant scientific sector. Innovative development of raw materials extraction is impossible without the parallel technological modernization of the high-tech sector. In general, the complex of these processes is a neo-industrialization of the economy. Neo-industrially oriented transformation of the economy reflects complex changes in its structure, the transformation of established stable relationships between various elements of the system of social production that determine macroeconomic proportions. Neo-industrial transformations come along with the modification of economic relations associated with investments, innovations, labor and income distribution, with the process of locating productive forces and regulating the economy by the government. Neo-industrialization of economy is not only significant changes in its technological and reproductive structure (the development of high-tech industries, the integration of science and industry), but, above all, the implementation of a system structural policy of innovative development of raw material industry and the recovery of manufacturing industries on a new technological basis

Solid State Synthesis of Carbon-Encapsulated Iron Carbide Nanoparticles and Their Interaction with Living Cells

International audience[No abstract