In the past few years, the synthesis and fabrication of inorganic nanostructures with manipulated morphology and size have attracted considerable attention due to their fundamental importance and potential wide-ranging applications. Silver nanowires are particularly interesting to study because bulk silver has the highest electric conductivity among all metals. A number of chemical approaches have been explored to synthesize 1D silver nanowires. We demonstrate a simple method to synthesize silver wires by thermal reduction of aqueous AgNO3 droplet with catalytic anatase TiO2 nanoparticles which were spin-coated on ITO or glass. Our simple method can be also applied to generate CuO with donut-shaped microstructure by using ITO conducting glass as matrix. We have found that the size and reproducibility are well-controllable. A single phase of CuO donut-shaped microstructure with outer diameters ranging from ∼ 13 to 17 £gm and inner diameters ranging from ∼ 1.4 to 3.3 £gm was obtained. The composition of CuO microdonut was confirmed by thin-film XRD and XPS analyses.

This study examines the impact that the rebranding of Dunkin' Donuts to Dunkin' has on brand perception, specifically in Generation Z and Millennials through the lens of social identity theory. Factors studied include visual brand identification, brand loyalty, purchasing habits, and perception of brand equity. Forty-four (N=44) students participated in four focus groups looking at these variables. The findings showed that social identification with Dunkin' is formed through personal brand experience, although participants were resistant to self-categorization with Dunkin'. The findings also demonstrated that social identification decreased slightly through the visual rebranding, but did not create any reported impact on purchasing habits. It was also reported that the level of social identification was based off of perception of brand value and quality. Finally, participants demonstrated that there was an impact on social comparison through participants questioning Dunkin's values as an organization. Given that the sample was all Millennial and Generation Z consumers, this study also determined that company values are important to these cohorts. It also suggested that perceived modernization of a brand can positively impact brand equity, and that communication of rebranding changes to the public are an important step of a successful rebrand. Practical implications of this research are also discussed. / Master of Arts / This study examines the impact that the rebranding of Dunkin' Donuts to Dunkin' has on brand perceptions, specifically among Generation Z and Millennials through the lens of social identity theory. Social identity theory guides the understanding of how Generation Z and Millennials perceive Dunkin' through its rebranding. Factors studied include visual brand identification, brand loyalty, purchasing habits, and perception of brand equity. Forty-four (N=44) students participated in four focus groups looking at these variables. The findings showed that social identification with Dunkin' is formed through personal brand experience, although participants were resistant to self-categorization with Dunkin' Given that the sample was all Millennial and Generation Z consumers, this study also determined that company values are important to these cohorts. It also suggested that perceived modernization of a brand can positively impact brand equity, and communication of rebranding changes to the public are an important step of a successful rebrand. Practical implications of this research are also discussed.