Epoxy resins were reinforced with different ZnO nanofillers (commercial ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), recycled ZnO and functionalized ZnO NPs) in order to obtain ZnO–epoxy composites with suitable mechanical properties, high adhesion strength, and good resistance to corrosion. The final properties of ZnO–epoxy composites depend on several factors, such as the type and contents of nanofillers, the epoxy resin type, curing agent, and preparation methods. This paper aims to review the preparation methods, mechanical and anti-corrosion performance, and applications of ZnO–epoxy composites. The epoxy–ZnO composites are demonstrated to be valuable materials for a wide range of applications, including the development of anti-corrosion and UV-protective coatings, for adhesives and the chemical industry, or for use in building materials or electronics.

Romania has some huge ferrous slag stockpiles that are secondary resources of minerals. Although a sizable portion of ferrous slags is recycled for use in building roads and other infrastructure, a sizable portion is still dumped. By November 2026, Member States must submit information on the quantity of critical raw materials (CRMs) in their secondary resources, as well as the quantification techniques employed, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1252. Therefore, the XRFS reliable measurements carried on ferrous slags were addressed to prevent dissipative loss of CRMs in cases where an improper slag recycling route is operated. The main novelty of this paper is the method of ensuring the reliability of the XRFS results based on weighted arithmetic mean and on the maximum likelihood approach. Secondly, the XRFS measurements carried on ferrous slags demonstrate that they contain CRMs like Ba, Sr, Y, etc.; however, below the minimum cut-off grade for CRMs, recovery XRFS cannot detect light CRMs. Our preliminary LIBS measurements on ferrous slags disclosed the presence of Li and Be. The drawbacks of the XRFS technique impose further research to develop an integrated XRFS, LIBS, and XRD procedure for comprehensive and trustworthy CRMs screening in extractive waste piles.

This study investigates the perception of the Romanian population regarding the Guarantee-Return System (GRS) using statistical analysis. We have used a structured questionnaire (both physically and electronically) to collect data from a representative sample of 604 respondents. The Chi-square statistical tests were used to evaluate the public acceptance and awareness of the system. Most of the respondents are receptive to GRS implementation, the questionnaire finds, citing key advantages such as increased recycling rates and environmental benefits. This study contributes to the existing literature on the matter by offering one of the first statistically representative assessments of the GRS in Romania. Potential biases in self-reported data and the focus on short-term perspectives might be included. The future research should explore the long-term impact of GRS on consumer behavior and economic sustainability. This paper aims to verify using statistical tools the research hypotheses regarding the perception of the Romanian population on the Guarantee-Refund System (GRS). The questionnaire aims to highlight the extent to which the Guarantee-Return System is known in Romania and the concrete way of achieving it optimally in the consumers’ view. The first stage of the research was aimed at establishing representative samples. The literature at the international and national levels is not very extensive, given the topic’s novelty. The questionnaire was applied both in physical format and by electronic means. The paper is one of the first statistically representative impact studies conducted in Romania regarding ways the population perceived the introduction of the Guarantee-Refund System.

This paper addresses the challenge of ensuring quality control for electronic control units (ECUs) in the automotive industry. Traditional hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) systems, used for software quality assurance, are costly and not always readily available, leading to potential delays in software verification and release. This paper investigates the factors causing these delays and proposes process task workflow optimization using a hybrid testing approach. This approach allows software developers to conduct early integration and system testing for embedded software, complementing the formal validation stage. To support this, the paper presents a novel piece of test equipment called TestBench, which utilizes inexpensive embedded hardware like the Arduino Mega2560, which can carry out the fundamental tasks needed to test the ECU. TestBench enables local testing, remote accessibility, and the monitoring of key parameters, including voltage current consumption, and the communication bus. It also facilitates fault injection for the evaluation of communication protocol robustness. By enabling earlier and more frequent testing, TestBench aims to enhance the quality of software developer outputs and the overall quality of ECU-embedded software. The system has the potential to significantly improve the testing process, making advanced testing capabilities more accessible and cost-effective for engineering teams and educational institutions.

The paper presents a theoretical and experimental analysis of the polluting generating mechanisms for steel making in the Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF). The scheme for the environment’s polluting system through the EAF is designed and presented in this paper. The ecological experimenting consisted of determining by specialized measures of the dust percentage in the evacuated gases from the EAF and of thereof gas pollutants. From the point of view of reducing the impact on the environment, the main problem of the electric arc furnace (EAF) is the optimization of the powder collecting from the process gases, both from the furnace and from the work-area. The paper deals with the best dependence between the aggregate’s constructive, functional and technological factors, which are necessary for the furnace’s ecologization and for its energetically-technologically performances increasing.

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