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ii Acknowledgments I would like to thank my advisor, Professor Milorad Dudukovic, for opening new world for me both geographically and scientifically, and enthusiastically and patiently encouraging me to grow both personally and professionally. Professor Dudukovic your insight and sharp criticism, which definitely added very much to my work is greatly appreciated. I would like to thank my advisor, Professor Palghat Ramachandran, for discussions, his valuable calmness in hectic periods and for putting me up with milestones which certainly helped me finish my thesis. I thank Professor John Gleaves who helped me with my experiments and for his cheerful attitude during the time of uncertainty. I thank Professor Bala Subramaniam for opening a wonderful center CEBC, where graduate student like me can learn and practice the science of green chemistry. I would like to thank my other committee members, Young-Shin Jun, Cynthia Lo and Renato Feres for agreeing to serve on my committee a