• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.207-216
• /
• 2022

Hydrogels have gained considerable attention in various fields due to their easily transformative ability by different stimulation. In addition, metal-based conductive additives can enable the hydrogels to be conductive with dimension change. Although the development of the additives offered enhanced electrical properties to the hydrogels, correspondingly enhanced mechanical properties may limit the volume and electrical properties switching after stimulation. Here we prepared poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) thermo-responsive hydrogel that has a 32℃ of low critical solution temperature and added liquid metal particles (LMPs) as conductive additives, possessing soft and stretchable benefits. The LMPs enabled PNIPAM (PNIPAM/LMPs) hydrogels to be constricted over 32℃ with a high volume switching ratio of 15.2 when deswelled. Once the LMPs are spontaneously oxidized in hydrogel culture, the LMPs can release gallium ions into the hydrogel nature. The released gallium ions and oxidized LMPs enhanced the modulus of the PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel, triggering high mechanical stability during repeated swelling/deswelling behavior. Lastly, highly constricted PNIPAM/LMPs hydrogel provided a 5x10⁶ of electrical switching after deswelling, and the switching ratio was closely maintained after repeated swelling/deswelling transformation. This study opens up opportunities for hydrogel use requiring thermo-responsive and high electrical switching fields.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.13 no.9
• /
• pp.81-93
• /
• 2015

Purpose - "Showrooming" refers to the phenomenon where a shopper visits a store to see and compare products but makes the purchase online at a lower price. Surveys on showrooming activities at home and abroad indicate that a significant number of consumers pursue showrooming activities. The advent of "showroomers," who engage in buying activities, hovering both on and offline, while selectively choosing sales channels to suit their needs, is powerful enough to erode the borders between channels and bring about seismic changes in the distribution industry. However, surprisingly, there has been no in-depth discussion on showrooming. This study seeks to theoretically investigate what impact personal characteristics have on showrooming preferences and attitudes in a multi-channel environment. Specifically, assumptions have been made that price perception, perceived performance risk, and trust in online shopping not only have a direct impact on showrooming attitudes but also indirectly affect it through the means of contact motivation. Research design, data, and methodology - To test the hypotheses, this study conducted a survey of male and female shoppers, ages 20 through 40s, who live in metropolitan areas, and have actively showroomed fashion items in the last six months. A clothing item usually purchased after a careful decision-making process was chosen as the target product of the study. The survey was conducted between October and November 2014, using a professional survey service provider. A total of 200 surveys were collected, of which 198 were used for analysis. Conceptual model Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and Amos 18.0 were employed for data analysis and model verification. In addition, following the confirmatory factor analysis and measurement model analysis, the theoretical model that corresponds to the research model was analyzed. Results - Analysis results show that price perception, perceived performance risk, and trust in online shopping have a statistically significant and positive (+) impact on showrooming attitudes. In addition, in terms of the indirect influence of price perception and perceived performance risk on showrooming attitudes through means of contact motivation, price perception had a statistically significant and positive impact on means of contact motivation, whereas perceived performance risk did not have a statistically significant impact on it, with the relevant hypothesis rejected. Conclusions - These analysis results imply that the ultimate goal of consumers is to maximize their shopping benefits by selectively and strategically taking advantage of different channels in a complementary manner. This study presents many implications for distributors to encourage a deep understanding of showrooming consumers who have complicated consumption behaviors and to build channel integration strategies. This study has limitations in theoretical and practical implications. Therefore, subsequent studies need to focus on verifying that showrooming activities are based on reasonable and planned decisions by applying the theory of reasoned or planned behavior. In addition, the scope of the study should expand to include web showrooming, where consumers conduct product research online and purchase offline.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.442-452
• /
• 2010

Our team carried out a new program for public engagement on nanotechnology in Korea. We chose 22 monitors, who majored in science or technology and graduated from universities long time ago. Most of them were married and housewives. This 'focus group' had not only general knowledge about science or technology but also much interest in social activities. The 167 nanoproducts to be monitored were for daily life, e.g. home appliances (washing machine, refrigerator, water purifier, etc), clothing, cosmetics, food, toy, and others. And the period of it was one month. The monitors had a sheet with 10 questions, and filled them out in essay form. All of them submitted 2~3 sheets every weekend to our team. Before monitoring, our team had a meeting for introduction and explanation about the potential risk of nanotechnology as well as benefits from it. Another meeting was held after finishing monitoring to share their experience one another. The main results of the monitoring were as follows: the number of nanoproducts describing both the definition of 'nano' and the size of nanomaterials was just 2 (1.2%) the number of them explaining the technical methods enough was 15 (9/0%) the number of them accounting for the reason of functional improvement enough was 14(8.4%); the number of them doubtful as if there would be exaggeration or false knowledge was 27 (16.2%); the number of them commenting potential hazards to human health or environment was almost zero; the number of them describing about safety certification acceptable was 9 (5.4%). The monitors made a proposal containing recommendation to Government and industry. The contents were as follows: industry should make the manual in detail and correctly, Describe Certificate detailed and correctly, Do research on risk and toxicity continually, Educate employee about nanoproducts at consumer's center; Government should make indication of nanoproducts compulsory, Appoint Certificate Authority and make Certificate Mark guaranteeing the safety on nanoproducts, Make detailed explanation about nanoproducts compulsory.