Abstract

dissertation of JINGDONG SU find it satisfactory and recommend that it be accepted. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my advisor, Professor Vaithianathan Venkatasubramanian, for his valuable advice, skilled guidance and continuous support throughout my doctoral study. His profound knowledge and kindness will always be an inspiration to me. I am also grateful to Mr. Carson Taylor and Mr. Ramu Ramanathan for their counsel, insight and support. I have enjoyed the enlightening instruction and advisement of Professor Anjan Bose and Professor Kevin Tomsovic, and I am thankful for their participation in my advisory committee. Funding in part from Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is gratefull