Sewage sludge, also referred to as biosolids, consists of the by-products of wastewater treatment, which are a mixture of the water and organic and inorganic materials eliminated from wastewater sourced from domestic sewage industries during physical, biological, and/or chemical treatments. Biosolids are nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of domestic wastewater in treatment plants. Sewage sludge can be considered a significant biological resource for sustainable agriculture. A new composite has been made consisting of soil, sewage sludge collected from the Galati Wastewater Treatment Plant, and slag from the Galati Steel Plant. This study aimed to investigate the structural, morphological, and chemical parameters of this composite through FTIR, SEM-EDX analysis, and XRF analysis. The samples had values of potential toxic elements that were within normal limits according to Directive 86/278/CEE, and, in terms of the iron-to-calcium ratio (I/C), all samples were of a low grade. This is the first time that slag has been added in a sewage sludge–soil combination, which can be an effective fertilizer replacement. Sewage sludge contains substantial amounts of organic matter, and slag reduces the contents of potentially toxic elements. In addition to these attributes, they may provide an opportunity for the beneficial re-use of sewage sludge and slag as resources in agriculture.

The continuous advancement of modern weaponry has intensified the pursuit of next-generation ballistic protection systems that integrate lightweight architectures, superior flexibility, and high energy absorption efficiency. This review provides a technological overview of current trends in the design, processing, and performance optimization of metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and composite materials for ballistic applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of advanced surface coatings and nanostructured interfaces as enabling technologies for improved impact resistance and multifunctionality. Conventional materials such as high-strength steels, alumina, silicon carbide, boron carbide, Kevlar^®, and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) continue to dominate the field due to their outstanding mechanical properties; however, their intrinsic limitations have prompted a transition toward nanotechnology-assisted solutions. Functional coatings incorporating nanosilica, graphene and graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) have demonstrated significant enhancement in interfacial adhesion, inter-yarn friction, and energy dissipation. Moreover, multifunctional coatings such as CNT- and laser-induced graphene (LIG)-based layers integrate sensing capability, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and thermal stability, supporting the development of smart and adaptive protection platforms. By combining experimental evidence with computational modeling and materials informatics, this review highlights the technological impact of coating-assisted strategies in the evolution of lightweight, high-performance, and multifunctional ballistic armor systems for defense and civil protection.

Soil is a non-renewable natural resource, extremely valuable for maintaining life on Earth. Large areas of soil are often polluted with petroleum products as a result of various human activities. In this case, it is necessary to remediate the contaminated soils from the oil industry and return them to the natural and economic circuit. In addition, large quantities of sewage sludge are generated daily by sewage treatment plants. The purpose of this study was to use the soil subjected to a bioremediation experiment with sewage sludge as support for the development of a new vegetal layer to restore the natural balance. The grass was sown in the land, which had previously been treated with sewage to monitor its development. Through microbiological analysis, we observed that soil and sewage sludge mixtures have a high content of heterotrophic bacteria and filamentous fungi that could play an important role in seed germination. IR (infrared spectroscopy) analysis revealed a decrease in hydrocarbon concentrations in the petroleum- contaminated soil treated with sewage sludge. By using the combined methods SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy – energy dispersive X-ray), we also analyzed the soil microstructure and the distribution of chemical elements to highlight the plants' evolution. The present study considers soil regeneration in areas contaminated with petroleum products and opens new perspectives for the use of sewage sludge in the ecological reconstruction of petroleum-contaminated sites.

Aramid fibers combine high specific strength, impact-energy absorption and thermal stability, yet the same rigid, highly oriented chains also produce a chemically inert surface, low compressive strength and sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and hydrolysis. This review synthesizes original research articles, indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, with emphasis on 2021–2026, on how fiber- and fabric-level functionalization affects the structural and functional integrity of aramid composites. Unlike previous reviews, organized by method, material form or application, it follows the retention of this integrity from fiber to component. Plasma, chemical, bio-inspired and nano structural treatments are compared by interfacial gain, fiber damage and property retention after UV exposure. The roles of aramid nanofibers, matrices, processing, hybridization and shear-thickening fluids are discussed, together with added functions such as electromagnetic shielding, strain sensing, thermal management, liquid repellence and self-healing. Several interphases, including oxide layers and aramid nanofiber coatings carrying conductive phases, strengthen adhesion while protecting the fiber or adding a function, but most data refer to unaged fibers or small specimens tested for one property at a time. An evaluation framework is proposed that links fiber, laminate and component scales with combined aging, icing and electromagnetic requirements for outdoor structures.