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This work is dedicated to my parents, Stan and Rita Plewa, who have given so much of their life for me. I hope to one day repay a fraction of the love they have always given me. It is also dedicated to my grandparents, Frank and Carmella Plewa, Peter and Josephine Travalin, who have been my constant source of encouragement. I love them and feel sorrow for the ones that couldn't witness the result of their praise and confidence. They told me I could reach so I did. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have contributed their help to this work and my education. First I would like to thank my advisors, Dr. Majid Keyhani and Dr. Jay Frankel. Dr. Keyhani taught me what it meant to be a careful researcher and how far I needed to go to become that researcher. He has grown and encouraged hard work and discipline, not just in my research but throughout my life. Dr. Frankel taught me how to think in new ways, how to approach a problem sideways. He also taught me that sometimes you need to relax and laugh at life. Both of my advisors have made me want to ensure they are proud of their student and his work. I would also like to thank my committee member, Dr. Rao Arimilli not only for teaching many of my classes and doing a great deal for my education, but also for his advice. He has helped me find goals and direction. It is a fact that without Dennis Higdon, nothing would ever work in the lab. I thank him for his time, his help, and his insightful thoughts. I appreciate that he is forever willing to lend a hand and some ideas. It is also true that not much would be built without Danny Graham. I thank him for his fabrication skills, excellent advice, and generous loans of tools. I would like to thank my fellow graduate students that I had the great fortune to know during my tenure: