Growth Time Research Articles

Effects of ultrasound on bubble dynamic behavior of flow boiling in microchannel

Bubble dynamics is paramount in comprehending the heat transfer mechanisms of flow boiling in the microchannel within ultrasonic field, which is regarded as a promising method to confront challenges of thermal management posed by microelectronic devices. Nevertheless, the impact of ultrasound on bubble behaviors and its underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. This study first delves into the effect of ultrasonic parameters on bubble dynamic behaviors and associated mechanisms, subsequently further analyzing the forces acting on bubbles through the constructed force model. The findings suggest that although growth force serves as the significant resistance, the primary Bjerknes force dominates the rapid detachment of bubbles. The secondary Bjerknes force results in the bubble only sliding along the bottom wall rather than lifting off. Furthermore, the elevated ultrasonic pressure amplitude resulting from augmenting ultrasonic power induces a substantial increase in the critical detachment diameter and growth rate by 55.49% and 59.42%, respectively. The enhanced primary Bjerknes force, attributed to the rise in ultrasonic frequency, leads to a 71.42% increase in sliding velocity and a 46.45% reduction in growth time. The positive impacts arising from ultrasonic power and frequency are anticipated to notably enhance the thermal performance of microchannels. Besides, surface tension acts as the resistance and diminishes slightly with an augmentation of the boiling number, resulting in a moderate variation in sliding velocity and growth time.

Influence of flame stability on iron oxide nanoparticle growth during FSP

Flame stability during flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) remains an active topic of investigation due to its impact on synthesised particle attributes and purity. The unique feature of the burner investigated here is the ability to control flame stability over newly defined stability maps. The novelty of the current work lies in understanding the influence of these broad stability modes on nanoparticle growth during FSP and on the attributes of collected products. Several distinct flame configurations are selected for iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis, ranging from stable to highly unstable flames. The flame stability regimes are characterised by OH∗ chemiluminescence and broadband flame luminescence imaging. Stability is correlated with the coefficient of variation of flame luminescence (CV) and flame height with mean OH∗ chemiluminescence. Planar Mie scattering is then used to identify the effect of flame luminescence intermittency on spray atomisation and evaporation quality. For particle analysis, in-situ thermophoretic sampling is performed from 30 to 200 mm above the burner exit plane and analysed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Further ex-situ analysis is also performed on the bulk-collected product via high-resolution TEM, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). It is demonstrated that flames with higher instability (CVmin ≥ 0.35) maintain increased spray heights (>26 %) and reduced flame heights (>79 %) compared to stable flames with the same precursor volume flowrate. This reduces the high-temperature particle residence time for primary particle growth and impacts subsequent agglomeration. For example, the mean diameter of gyration and primary particle diameter are found to vary by 44 % and 29 % depending on the flame regime, respectively. Ex-situ analysis also demonstrates that the dominant iron oxide phase produced is maghemite regardless of the stability regime. However, higher concentrations of organic impurities including methyl, methylene and carboxylate functional groups are found via ATR-FTIR with increased flame instability (CV).

Gold Nanoparticles Decoration of Zinc Oxide Nanowalls on Flexible Substrates

Metal oxide nanostructures decorated with noble metal nanoparticles are hybrid structures with a special interface that combines the unique properties of those two materials. Noble metal nanoparticles exhibit useful catalytic properties, and they can be functionalized with biomaterials. In this work, we use gold nanoparticles that can be functionalized using thiolated molecules bound to the metal surface. Zinc oxide nano-walls (NWs) are a high surface-to-volume ratio wide-bandgap semiconductor nanostructures that, due to their biocompatibility and non-toxicity characteristics, can be used in biosensing applications that involve contact with tissues and cells. ZnO nano-walls can be deposited from aqueous solutions at low temperatures, both on rigid and flexible substrates, using a simple and low-cost process that can be upscaled to high-volume production. In this work, we study the nucleation and growth of the ZnO nano-walls and we describe the gold nanoparticles decoration at three different schemes of surface functionalization. Among these schemes, we found that the process where ZnO nano-walls were deposited on polyimide substrates followed by activation using a self-assembled monolayer, resulted in a decoration with uniform size and distribution of gold nano-particles. That process was studied as a function of the growth temperature, solution concentration, and time. The morphology of the ZnO nano-walls was studied by Scanning Electron microscope imaging and the crystal structure was studied by X-ray diffraction.

Ni–Cu Bimetallic Oxides with Tailored Morphology for High‐Performance Alkaline Water Oxidation

AbstractWater oxidation, a crucial step in electrochemical water splitting, is often hindered by its complex kinetics. In our pursuit of designing efficient electrocatalysts, we have found that morphological modifications during synthesis are powerful tools. By manipulating various parameters, such as reaction time and temperature, we have tuned the morphology of the catalysts, leading to a significant enhancement in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) rate. Our thorough research involves using a simple hydrothermal method for synthesizing bimetallic Ni–Cu oxides, resulting in the emergence of different morphologies by varying reaction times from 4 to 24 h. The OER performance in an alkaline medium, using a 1 M KOH solution, has been meticulously investigated, and our results have unveiled the highest activity for Ni–Cu fabricated with a growth time of 24 h. Ni–Cu oxide 24 exhibits a remarkably low onset potential for OER at 222 mV with a Tafel slope of 373 mV/dec. The catalyst boasts the lowest Rct value of 2.788 ohm, ensuring faster charge transfer rates and stability up to 1000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles, thereby supporting its electrochemical applications for water splitting.

KOMPOSISI BERBAGAI KOMPOSISI BERBAGAI MEDIA TANAM TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN TANAMAN PORANG (Amorphophallus onchophyllus)

This study aims to find out the effect of the composition of various planting media on the growth of porang plants with the observed parameters consisting of bud growth time, the number of shoots, shoot height, and root volume. This study employed a Randomized Block Design with 4 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments given were P0 (without treatment), P1 (2,000 g of soil + 1,000 g of goat manure + 1,000 g of husk charcoal), P2 (2,000 g of soil + 1,000 g of goat manure + 1,000 g of banana midrib), and P3 (2,000 g of soil + 1,000 g of goat manure + 1,000 g bamboo leaf charcoal). This study was followed by extension activities which were evaluated at the beginning (the initial evaluation) and the end (the final evaluation). Results indicated that the use of various compositions of effective growing media had a significant effect on the outcomes. The planting media composition on P2 with 2,000 g of soil, 1,000 g of goat manure, and 1,000 g of banana midrib gave the best results for all parameters in which the average shoot growth time was 5 DAP, the average number of shoots was 5 and 6 shoots after 60 DAP, the average shoot height was 2.9 cm at 60 DAP, and the average root volume was 19.9 ml. Furthermore, the results of the evaluation of the extension activities carried out at the beginning and the end showed an increase in the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of farmers by 30.6%, 33.6%, and 33.6%, respectively, with the effectiveness reaching 56.14%, classified in the effective category

Length-based assessment of penaeid shrimp fishery stocks along the north-eastern Arabian Sea

Penaeid shrimps are a key resource in marine fisheries and are of great ecological and economic importance. The north-west (NW) coast of India contributes significantly (~30%) to the penaeid shrimp landings in India. Four species of penaeid shrimps, namelyParapenaeopsis stylifera, Solenocera crassicornis, Metapenaeus affinis, and M. monoceros, were assessed using Length-based spawning potential ratio (SPR) based on the length frequency data collected during 2017-21, from commercial trawlers operating in the depth range of 20-100 m along the north-west coast of India bordering the north-eastern Arabian Sea. The current status (2021) of P. stylifera, S. crassicornis and M. affinis was found to be healthy, with a spawning potential ratio of ≥ 0.40. For M. monoceros, the SPR was slightly below 0.40 (0.34-35), however, considering the fast growth and short generation time for the resources, the stock status can be considered fair. Significant reduction in fishing pressure (F/M < 1.0) and increase in SPR (>0.40) during COVID-19 affected years (2020-21) were evident. The reduction in fishing hours during the pandemic has allowed the resource to regain the target reference point (TRP) for SPR. Declining catches over the past decade for the group are not due to resource depletion but for the shift in species preference and the diversification of trawls in the region, with bottom trawling giving way to pelagic trawling. Keywords: Sustainability, Spawning potential ratio, COVID-19, Penaeid shrimps

A CRISPR-Cas13b System Degrades SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 RNA In Vitro

In a time of climate change, population growth, and globalization, the risk of viral spread has significantly increased. The 21st century has already witnessed outbreaks of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus (SARS-CoV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), Ebola virus and Influenza virus, among others. Viruses rapidly adapt and evade human immune systems, complicating the development of effective antiviral countermeasures. Consequently, the need for novel antivirals resilient to viral mutations is urgent. In this study, we developed a CRISPR-Cas13b system to target SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, this system was also efficient against SARS-CoV, demonstrating broad-spectrum potential. Our findings highlight CRISPR-Cas13b as a promising tool for antiviral therapeutics, underscoring its potential in RNA-virus-associated pandemic responses.

A framework for modal split and implications on transport growth and travel time savings

Mobility is one of the most debated issues in the current discussion on transport policies and the climate change. Related indicators are the modal split, transport growth and travel time savings, used for travel behaviour evaluations. In official transport statistics, the modal split is generally used in two ways, according to the number of modal trips and to the modal trip length. Although they are usually used separately, we will show that they are directly connected, where the latter is a weighted version of the former. The introduction of the reference units of “person” and “day” overcomes the limitations of a trip-based definition and extends the ansatz to a mobility-based methodology, where all modal combinations can be considered. Empirical data analysis shows, that transport growth is founded on the increase of individual motorised transport at the disadvantage of pedestrians, whereas other modes remain fairly stable. Daily travel time generally increases especially with individual motorised transport in comparison to non-motorised modes, which shows an inconsistency, for example, for some assumptions or approaches of travel time savings. The proposed methodology does not require any prior assumptions and provides therefore a simple and general applicability. The data analysis is based on national travel survey data from Germany, Switzerland, UK and USA from the 1970-ies up to 2018. One main result of the paper is a frame of reference for the relativity of mobility behaviour, which consistently connects these mobility indicators.

High-Efficiency Condensation Heat Transfer Interfaces Based on Superwetting Copper Microgroove/Nanocone Structure.

Utilizing superhydrophobic micro/nanostructures to enhance condensation heat transfer (CHT) of copper surfaces has attracted intensive interest in recent years due to its significance in multiple industrial fields including nuclear power generation, thermal management, water harvesting, and desalination. However, superhydrophobic surfaces have instability risk caused by microcavity defect-induced vapor penetration and/or hydrophobic chemistry destruction. Here, we report a superwetting copper hierarchical microgroove/nanocone (MGNC) structure strategy that can realize high-efficiency CHT over a whole range of surface subcooling. By regulating groove width, fin width, groove depth, and nanostructure growth time, we obtain the optimal MGNC structure, where the CHT coefficient is 121% and 107% higher than that of hydrophilic flat surfaces at surface subcooling of 2 and 15 K, respectively. Such remarkable enhancement can be ascribed to the synergy of three interface effects: more nucleation sites for phase-change energy exchanging, thinner condensate films for reducing thermal resistance, and parallel microchannels for timely drainage. Compared with superhydrophobic strategies, our strategy not only can be mass-producible but also has other inherent advantages: no microcavity-induced performance failure risk as well as being free of chemistry modification, which makes the fabrication process simpler and more economic. Hierarchical micropillar/nanocone structure is also fabricated as the contrast sample for highlighting the superiority of the superwetting MGNC structure in enhancing CHT. This work not only enriches research systems of superwettability surfaces but also helps develop high-performance chips' cooling devices and explore more potential applications.

Epitaxial Growth of Cs3Cu2I5 Single‐Crystal Arrays for UV‐Responsive Neuromorphic Devices

Copper‐based halides, a type of perovskite derivative, inherit their excellent optoelectronic properties and solution processability and also have the advantages of being nontoxic and stable. Despite the tremendous achievements of microfabrication in conventional halide perovskites, reports on copper‐based halide array devices are rare due to their difficult high‐quality crystallization. Here, by introducing single‐crystal thin films grown by space confinement method as substrates, reliable photolithography based on their single crystals is successfully achieved and controllable homoepitaxial single‐crystal arrays is demonstrated. By adjusting the substrate, angle, and growth time, the orientation, arrangement, and size of arrays could be controlled. Temperature and time are used to regulate the growth stage to obtain clean and appropriately sized arrays. ITO/Cs3Cu2I5/ITO neuromorphic device based on homoepitaxial arrays is developed. The variation of synaptic plasticity could be controlled by the number and frequency of light pulses. The device successfully simulated the process of “learning, forgetting, and relearning” in the human brain, demonstrating the potential of application in sensing‐storage‐computing‐integrated devices.

Microheater Controlled Crystal Phase Engineering of Nanowires Using In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

AbstractCrystal Phase Quantum Dots (CPQDs) offer promising properties for quantum communication. How CPQDs can be formed in Au‐catalyzed GaAs nanowires using different precursor flows and temperatures by in situ environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM) experiments is studied. A III‐V gas supply system controls the precursor flow and custom‐built micro electro‐mechanical system (MEMS) chips with monocrystalline Si‐cantilevers are used for temperature control, forming a micrometer‐scale metal–organic vapor phase epitaxy (µMOVPE) system. The preferentially formed crystal phases are mapped at different precursor flows and temperatures to determine optimal growth parameters for either crystal phase. To control the position and length of CPQDs, the time scale for crystal phase change is investigated. The micrometer size of the cantilevers allows temperature shifts of more than 100 °C within 0.1 s at the nanowire growth temperature, which can be much faster than the growth time for a single lattice layer. For controlling the crystal phase, the temperature change is found to be superior to precursor flow, which takes tens of seconds for the crystal phase formation to react. This µMOVPE approach may ultimately provide faster temperature control than bulk MOVPE systems and hence enable engineering sequences of CPQDs with quantum dot lengths and positions defined with atomic precision.

Integration of carbon microsheets and helical carbon nanocoils for efficient microwave absorption

The integration of multi-dimensional materials is a powerful approach for the construction of high-performance microwave absorbers. In this work, 2D-like carbon microsheets (CMSs) have been directly synthesized on the surfaces of 3D helical carbon nanocoils (CNCs) through a Cu catalyzed chemical vapor deposition process. The junctions formed between CMSs and CNCs create numerous polarization sites, which enhances interfacial polarization. The planar morphology of CMSs is beneficial to enhance the multiple scattering of microwave, while the 3D helical CNCs prevent the aggregation of 2D-like CMSs and simultaneously enhance the conductive loss and cross-polarization loss. By controlling the growth time, the morphologies of CMS are precisely tailored and their impedance matching is adjusted. Consequently, CMS/CNC demonstrates exceptional microwave absorption (MA) performance with a broad effective bandwidth of 6.5 GHz and a minimum reflection loss of −39.3 dB at a remarkably low filling ratio of 4 wt%. This study provides a novel multi-dimensional integrated structure for efficient MA.

Crop yield estimation uncertainties at the regional scale for Saxony, Germany

AbstractIn times of climate change and global population growth, agricultural yield forecasts play an increasingly important role. For example, predicting yields as early as possible in the event of a drought is crucial for decision‐makers in politics, government, and business. The aim of this study was to provide precise yield predictions at agricultural regions as early as possible with a minimum amount of weather data. Random forest models were used for this purpose. Although more than 290,000 datasets were available for analysis, all models tended to be heavily overfitting, which can be explained by the strong fragmentation of the input data by crop, region, and prediction time. The models reacted very differently to unknown datasets. It was found that the regionally trained models achieved lower (≥10%) relative root mean square errors (RRMSEs) than the supra‐regionally trained models. Rapeseed and barley achieved good predictions. Wheat had good potential, too. Corn, potatoes, and sugar beet achieved often too high RRMSEs. The results showed that targeted model selection for each region and an extension of the training time series could enable very good regional yield forecasts for rapeseed and cereals in the future.

High-quality thickness-tunable InAs nanowire crosses grown by molecular-beam epitaxy

InAs nanowire crosses show great potential applications in detection and braiding of Majorana zero modes. Controlled growth of high-quality and diameter tunable InAs nanowire crosses is fundamental for these applications. However, it is still difficult to freely and conveniently adjust the diameter of the free-standing InAs nanowire crosses grown by the conventional growth methods. Here, we report a new technique to realize the growth of high-quality thickness-tunable InAs nanowire crosses by molecular-beam epitaxy. GaAs nanowire crosses were firstly grown on the Si (100) substrates spontaneously by merging the <111>-oriented GaAs nanowires. InAs nanowire crosses were then obtained by in situ growth of InAs shells on the facets of GaAs nanowire cross cores. Detailed scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations and energy dispersive spectrum analyses confirm that the InAs nanowire crosses grown by this manner have continuous and smooth morphology and they are high-quality zinc-blende crystals. More importantly, the InAs shell is grown with the vapor-solid growth mechanism and the thickness of the InAs nanowire crosses can be tuned by varying the InAs shell growth time. Our work provides a valuable method for the controlled growth of thickness-tunable semiconductor nanowire crosses.

Highly sensitive detection of carbendazim in agricultural products using colorimetric and photothermal lateral flow immunoassay based on plasmonic gold nanostars

The wide use and high toxicity of carbendazim (CBD) in agriculture pose unprecedented demands for convenient, sensitive, and cost-effective on-site monitoring. Herein, we propose a novel colorimetric and photothermal dual-mode lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) based on plasmonic gold nanostars (AuNSs) for CBD detection in agricultural products. The AuNSs were synthesized via a rapid seed-mediated growth method (with growth time of ∼5 s). A stable immunoprobe was formed by adsorbing CBD antibodies onto AuNSs. This immunoprobe exhibited high conversion efficiency and sensitivity in photothermal detection with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.28 ng mL−1. The LOD of the colorimetric mode was higher (0.48 ng mL−1). The results of CBD detection in various agricultural products aligned well with ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, our LFIA shows excellent sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and rapidness in CBD detection, and thus is a highly potential on-site platform in resource-limited environments.

The elicitation effects of diode and He-Ne laser irradiations on the alleviation of nutrient-deficiency induced damage in anthocyanin-producing red-fleshed apple cell suspension

Purpose We explored the elicitation role of the laser irradiations on the alleviation of nutrient-deficiency induced damage in anthocyanin-producing red-fleshed apple cell suspension in continuous production of anthocyanin. Methods Anthocyanin-producing red-fleshed apple cells were irradiated by 4 intensity levels of red He-Ne (RHNL) and blue diode (BDL) lasers for 20 min. Results Nutrient deficiency indicated negative effect on total soluble proteins (TSP), superoxidase dismutase (SOD) activity, and total phenolics content (TPC) while it displayed a positive effect on malondialdehyde (MDA), total flavonoids content (TFC), O2 -, H2O2 - , and lipoxygenase (LOX) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in light controls, illustrating oxidative stress. The laser irradiations on suspension cells indicated variable effects on measured parameters and were time of growth-, levels of intensity-, and laser type-dependent. Likewise, the elicitation effects of lasers relied on a critical threshold among ROS generation and antioxidative system which determines the fate of cells against oxidative stress. The same trend was displayed by RHNL at 6.46 mWcm−2 intensity and BDL at 13.73 mWcm−2. These intensities resulted in a significant increase in SOD, APX, POD, and CAT activities and TSP, TPC, TFC, proline, and glycine betaine accumulation, while induced decrease in LOX, and PPO activities and MDA, and ROS generation, alleviating cellular injury from prolonged nutrient deficiency by diminishing lipid peroxidation and oxidative damages of cell membrane. Conclusion Results suggested that lasers application on mitigating nutrient deficiency stress relied on establishing a suitable balance between ROS generation and antioxidative system, which enables the nutrient-starved anthocyanin-producing cells to continuously produce anthocyanin.

Analyzing the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services provided by apple orchards in Southeast France using a process-based model

We know that fruit production, especially in the Mediterranean, will need to adapt to climate change to ensure the sustainability of fruit tree-based agroecosystems. However, there is a lack of evidence on the long-term effects of this change on sustainability indicators. To fill this gap, we used a fruit tree model, QualiTree, to analyze the impacts ofclimate change on the ecosystem services provided by apple orchards in south-eastern France. To do this, a blooming model was parameterized to simulate blooming date on the basis of climate data, and QualiTree was supplemented with a model of nitrogen processes in the tree and a soil module describing resource input (irrigation, mineral and organic fertilization), transfer in the soil (water and nitrogen) and metabolic transformation-immobilization (mineralization, (de)nitrification). This type of extension makes it possible to simulate a wide array of ecosystem services, including C sequestration, nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions. The model was compared with data from an apple orchard in southeastern France. The predicted daily mean and variability over time of fruit growth, composition and soil water content were consistent with observed data. QualiTree was then used to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the ecosystem services supplied by apple orchards. For this purpose, weather variables from 2020 to 2100 were generated for three contrasted greenhouse gas emission scenarios, and simulations were performed under two irrigation schemes (no restriction and restricted use of water). Model outputs indicated that, on average, marketable apple yields would increase until 2050 and then subsequently decrease. The fruit refractometric index, an indicator of fruit quality, was projected to sharply decrease with the intensity of climate change. Ecosystem services such as C sequestration by the orchard will decrease with climate change severity, mainly due to a higher mineralization of soil humus, whereas N2O emissions will increase with larger denitrification rates. Soil water availability, fertility, drainage and leaching were predicted to depend more on the irrigation strategy than on climate change severity. The new functions performed in QualiTree broadened its predictive capabilities and allowed for a better understanding of ecosystem service delivery in fruit orchards under varying climate conditions.

H2S gas sensing properties of ZnO–SnO2 branch–stem nanowires grown on a copper foil

ZnO–SnO2 branch–stem nanowires were fabricated on a Cu foil using a chemical vapor deposition system through a two-step process. Firstly, SnO2 NWs were synthesized directly on a Cu foil substrate by evaporating SnO powder as a source material. Then, the as-synthesized SnO2 NWs were used as templates for the growth of ZnO–SnO2 branch–stem NWs. The effect of growth time on the growth of the SnO2 NWs on the Cu foil was studied. The gas sensing properties of the SnO2 NW and ZnO–SnO2 branch–stem NW devices were studied using various toxic gases at different temperatures. Both devices exhibited high sensitivity, high selectivity, fast response and recovery times, and stability toward H2S gas. Compared to the pristine SnO2 NW device, the ZnO–SnO2 branch–stem NW device exhibited higher sensitivity and faster response rate toward H2S. Finally, the gas sensing mechanism was also discussed.

Self‐Powered Cs3Bi2I9/ZnO Heterojunction Photodetector with Dual‐Band Photoresponse

AbstractCs3Bi2I9/ZnO heterostructures are constructed by the growth of Cs3Bi2I9 layer onto the spin‐coated ZnO films by a modified antisolvent recrystallization method, a series of Cs3Bi2I9/ZnO heterojunction photodetectors (PDs) with varied growth times of Cs3Bi2I9 layer are fabricated. The construction of Cs3Bi2I9/ZnO heterojunction contributes to their improved photoelectric performance compared to ZnO‐based PD, and the Cs3Bi2I9 layer thickness plays an important role in tuning the photoelectric performance of these PDs. At 405 nm and 0 V bias, the optimized 6‐Cs3Bi2I9/ZnO PD generates a high photocurrent of −3.03 µA, a medium on/off ratio of 144.3, and a short response time of 16.4 ms/16.8 ms. It also exhibits superior dual‐band self‐powered photoresponse with two responsivity and detectivity peaks at 380 nm in the UV region and at 430 nm in the visible light region. At 380 nm, this PD presents the highest responsivity of 33.2 mA W−1 and detectivity of 1.07 × 1010 Jones. It is believed that the optimized growth of the Cs3Bi2I9 layer generates a depletion layer with suitable thickness near the interface, and the as‐promoted charge‐carrier separation and transport result in improved self‐powered properties. The rational construction of perovskite‐based heterojunction has proved as an efficient way to achieve self‐powered photodetection.

Determinants of entrepreneurial intention towards digital adoption during crisis

In the time of fast technology growth, digitalization is transforming the landscape of many businesses. However, the antecedents of digital adoption within small and medium-sized enterprises in crisis are yet not fully understood. This study’s objective is to pinpoint factors that influence entrepreneurs’ intentions to utilize digital technologies in times of COVID-19 crisis in the Russian Federation. The study is based on the theory of planned behaviour. The analytical procedures performed on the data involved logistic regression modelling. This research draws on the Russian part of the 2021 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Database (GEM) Adult Population Survey which measures the level and nature of entrepreneurial activity in different countries. Perceived behavioural control was revealed to be a key determinant of the intention towards digital technologies’ adoption – entrepreneur’s perception of opportunities and self-efficacy positively affects their intention to adopt digital technologies during a crisis. Notably, previous experience with digital technologies had a negative impact during the crisis. Further, an individual’s age inversely affects their tendency to pursue digital entrepreneurial initiatives. The research extends the theory of planned behaviour to volatile contexts and signals how entrepreneurs can adapt to upheavals during crises through digitalization, thus advancing understanding of entrepreneurial behaviour under extremities.