Micromachined Electrical Field-flow Fractionation Systems with On-column Electrical and Resonance Light Scattering Detection Modalities

iii This dissertation is dedicated to two fantastic women:-my mother, for teaching me the value of education, and her endless support and encouragement and-my wife, for her tolerance and patience with such an imperfect husband, and her dedication to me and our children I dearly love you both! iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. A. Bruno Frazier, who has been the most influential person to me getting to this stage in my formal education. His guidance during my formative years as a graduate student at the University of Utah provided me a solid foundation upon which to build my research and other more scholarly abilities. By offering me a position in his laboratory at the Georgia Institute of Technology, he enabled me to continue my learning of knowledge, attributes and skills that will help me have a successful career. He is a very patient man and I am truly privileged to have had such a wonderful and proficient mentor. for their time, helpful comments, and support. They have been instrumental in seeing that this dissertation is accurate, appropriate and complete. It is necessary for me to thank some of the administrative staff with whom I have had the pleasure to interact with. My deepest thanks go to Marilou Mycko for all her advice and significant efforts on my behalf. She has the fine quality of being firm in a friendly way. For me, she was truly an indispensable asset. Dr. David Hertling deserves many thanks for his advice that helped me successfully pass the Preliminary Exam. He is a kind man that I am grateful to have become acquainted with. During my time here at Georgia Tech, I had the joy of getting to know some of my instructors very well. I thank Dr. Rob Butera for his uplifting comments and positive attitude. His door was always open and he has the great attribute of being more than willing to share his time with others. I express my sincere thanks to Gail Palmer for her endless encouragement, for becoming my friend, and for always having a smile. She is an affable, selfless and kindhearted person. To Dr. Thomas Gaylord, I wish to offer my v thank you for being such an outstanding example of kindness, hard work, excellence and dedication. I hope to one day possess such fine qualities as he appears to have mastered. …