whose simulation results were imperative to developing the analysis of the three-point bend test. Last but not least, I owe my sincerest thanks to Kate Culliton, whose patience and steady-handedness was essential to the development and testing of the polymer coatings.A PhD is filled with many good and bad days. Without some of the people around me, it would have been challenging to get through some of them. I would like to acknowledge Scott, Terrin, Zelig, Gabrielle, Andrew, Rob, Derek, Graham, Yarek, and Alura. Although you didn't conduct any experiments or process data, your contributions to ensuring that I was at my best every day went beyond the significance of any data point or conclusion of this work. I am grateful for all that each of you has done for me.