SHYAM P. MURARKA, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. IGOR V. VERNER, PhD, is a professor at Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology (MIET) in Russia. RONALD J. GUTMANN, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.