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In this thesis, multiple structural systems are investigated by utilizing the Harmony Search optimization algorithm for least weight optimization. An analytical overview of structural optimization, matrix analysis, damage tolerance, steel connections and structural reliability analysis and methodology are presented. To support the methodology, three example problems have been provided. The first example demonstrates damage tolerant optimization of a simple truss structure.

The steady aerodynamic loads on a flat plate with uniform porosity in a uniform background flow are determined in closed form by an extension of classical thin airfoil theory. The porous boundary condition on the airfoil surface assumes a linear Darcy law relationship, which furnishes a Fredholm integral equation for the bound vorticity distribution over the airfoil. The solution to this singular integral equation yields a single dimesionless group that determines when porosity effects are important.

To reduce the high vertical accelerations of the high speed boats, a "suspension boat" concept was developed and patented by Grenestedt [1,2]. A 1:6 subscale version of a two-seat high-speed manned suspension boat was manufactured and tested. The manufacturing of the hull, the sponsons, and the suspension components is described, followed by an outline of the driveline and controls. In general, the boat performed very well in water tests and the only major problem of the boat was its turning performance. Further work has been initiated to improve this.

There are many applications for thin films of ordered particles including membranes, microlens arrays, and structure-color coatings. Convective deposition, a process that uses evaporation-driven flow in a thin liquid film to order particles, is a relatively fast and scalable method of making such films. Recently, it was shown that using lateral vibration in the direction of coating can enhance this process.

Techniques aimed at scalable realization of periodic structures from self-assembly of constituent building blocks, an approach that could supplant microfabrication procedures, are often constrained by the lack of diversity in packing arrangements achievable with assembly of simple constituents (e.g., spherical particles). In this work, we present a strategy to effectively pattern colloidal crystalline assemblies at two characteristic scales; achieving extensive non-classical particle packing amidst fully periodic, banded structural defects.

Separation and concentration of nanoscale species play an important role in various fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology and environmental science. Inevitably, the separation efficiency strongly affects the quality of downstream detections or productions. For biotechnology and diagnostic applications, conventional separation techniques such as centrifugation, chromatography, filtration, and electrophoresis have been well established and the related instruments and reagents are readily available commercially.