Colloidal Chemical Potential in Attractive Nanoparticle-polymer Mixtures: Simulation and Membrane Osmometry

In loving memory of my mother, Jeannette, Through her actions she showed me the true meaning of courage, faith, and strength and is now the inspiration for everything in my life. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT There are a lot of people I would like to thank for all their support throughout the course of this project. Without their time, effort, and encouragement, this endeavor would not have been possible. Most of all I would like to express gratitude to my Lord Jesus Christ who continues to make the impossible possible. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. J. Carson Meredith, whose confidence in my abilities has been unwavering and whose help has made this a solid project. His patience and dedication to helping me succeed is greatly appreciated. I am thankful to Dr. Nenes and Dr. Ludovice for taking the time to serve in my committee. Throughout the course of my studies, the friendship and camaraderie offered by my friends, fellow graduate students, and the advanced polymer thin films and colloid materials research group has been indispensable and has made this learning experience enjoyable and relatively painless. I am grateful for the relationships that I have built with them. In particular, I would like to thank Krishna Marla for all his guidance and help with simulations as we mutually engaged in making sense of the obstacles and results encountered throughout the course of this project. I am forever in debt to Gina, my wife, without her love, understanding, and companionship I wouldn't have been able to put forth my best effort and maintain my sanity. I am eternally grateful to Carlos, my father, whose unconditional support opened the doors to this journey called higher education. Finally, I would like to thank my v brother, Alberto, whose patient character and exemplary behavior has always inspired me to do the same.