PREFACE

I would like to express my foremost gratitude to Dr. V. Selladurai, M.E., Ph.D., Principal and my guide Dr. Rajesh Ranganathan, M.E., Ph.D (UK), Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore for their valuable suggestions, motivation, persistent encouragement and keen involvement to complete this research. I thank our correspondent & Director Dr. S. R. K. Prasad, D.Sc. (USA), Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore for his support and for providing me with efficient lab facilities to complete this research successfully. I thank our Vice Chancellor Dr. K. Karunakaran, M.E., Ph.D., and Dr. P. Renuka Devi, M.E., Ph.D., Director Research, Anna University of Technology, Coimbatore for their continuous support to complete this research successfully. I am grateful to the Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, nonteaching staffs and my beloved friends of Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore for their constant and continuous encouragement. I am grateful to my parents and all members of my family for their valuable and endless support to complete this research. Above all, I thank the Almighty, for giving me the resource and strength to do this research successfully.

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