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To my family iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a great number of people I would like to thank. Without their uncountable support, this thesis would never have been finished. First and foremost, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to my research adviser Dr. Eric Conte, for his guidance, encouragement, and trust. He has given his valuable time, advice, and correction throughout each stage of this thesis. Moreover, he inspires and motivates me to go forward continuously in the field of analytical chemistry. I appreciate him for all the cultivation he has done for me. I also would like to thank Dr. Kane Jennings for the endless support for the project. Next, I want to express my feeling of gratitude to Dr. Cathleen Webb, Department Head, for her help and inculcate. She is a responsible leader and also an amiable listener. I am thankful to all her encouragement and support