An Empirical Comparison of Consumer Innovation Adoption Models: Implications for Subsistence Marketplaces

So called “pro-poor” innovations may improve consumer wellbeing in subsistence marketplaces. However, there is little research that integrates the area with the vast literature on innovation adoption. Using a questionnaire where respondents were asked to provide their evaluations about a mobile banking innovation, this research fills this gap by providing empirical evidence of the applicability of existing innovation adoption models in subsistence marketplaces. The study was conducted in Bangladesh among a geographically dispersed sample. The data collected allowed an empirical comparison of models in a subsistence context. The research reveals the most useful models in this context to be the Value Based Adoption Model and the Consumer Acceptance of Technology model. In light of these findings and further examination of the model comparison results the research also shows that consumers in subsistence marketplaces are not just motivated by functionality and economic needs. If organizations cannot enhance the hedonic attributes of a pro-poor innovation, and reduce the internal/external constraints related to adoption of that pro-poor innovation, then adoption intention by consumers will be lower

SMART Materials for Biomedical Applications: Advancements and Challenges

The advancement of SMART (Self-Healing, Multifunctional, Adaptive, Responsive, and Tunable) materials has had a significant impact on the domain of biomedical applications. These materials possess distinct characteristics that exhibit responsiveness to alterations in their surroundings, rendering them exceedingly appealing for a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study aims to examine the progress and obstacles related to SMART materials within the field of biomedicine. In recent decades, notable advancements have been achieved in the development, synthesis, and analysis of intelligent materials specifically designed for biomedical purposes. Self-healing materials have been employed in the development of implants, wound healing scaffolds, and drug delivery systems, drawing inspiration from natural regeneration mechanisms. The ongoing advancements in SMART materials have significant opportunities for transforming biological applications. The progression of nanotechnology, biomaterials, and bioengineering is expected to play a significant role in the advancement of materials that possess enhanced qualities and capabilities. The integration of SMART materials with emerging technologies such as 3D printing, gene editing, and microfluidics has the potential to create novel opportunities in the field of precision medicine and personalised healthcare. The effective translation of SMART materials from the laboratory to the clinic will need concerted efforts by researchers, physicians, regulatory agencies, and industry partners to address the present difficulties

Fabrication and Characterization of Nanoscale Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Gas Storage and Separation

In recent years, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a promising class of materials for gas storage and separation applications due to their high surface area, tunable pore size, and chemical functionality. In this study, we report the successful fabrication and characterization of nanoscale MOFs for enhanced gas storage and separation performance. We synthesized a series of MOFs with varying metal nodes and organic linkers, and systematically investigated their structural, thermal, and chemical stability. Advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and gas adsorption isotherms, were employed to elucidate the structural and morphological features of the synthesized MOFs. The gas storage capacities of the MOFs were evaluated for hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, revealing a significant enhancement in storage capacity compared to bulk MOFs. Furthermore, we investigated the gas separation performance of the MOFs for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 mixtures, demonstrating high selectivity and separation efficiency. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the design and fabrication of nanoscale MOFs for gas storage and separation applications, and pave the way for the development of next-generation materials for clean energy and environmental applications