Thesis (M.A.)--Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, 1992. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-110).

Thesis (M.A.)--Southern California College, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Capital Bible Seminary, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 70-74).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 151-160).

Thesis (Th. M.)--Covenant Theological Seminary, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-133).

The literature on nanomaterials has been flooded with new shapes, sizes, and compositions of nanostructures. The process of developing and characterizing these particles has been broadly accomplished and many interesting and promising properties have been revealed for application in current and developing technologies. In particular, the phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance seen in metallic gold and silver nanoparticles has drawn substantial interest. It has been established that the electromagnetic fields surrounding plasmonic particle surfaces can influence the properties of nearby systems, causing them to experience effects such as enhanced absorption and emission of light or drastically increased conductivity. For this reason, plasmonic nanoparticles are being applied to an endless number of applications for new materials. This thesis investigated the effects of silver nanocube (AgNC) arrays on the photophysical properties of poly(paraphenyleneethynylene) (PPE) fluorescent polymers, a particularly relevant material to the applications of organic-electronics. AgNCs were selected because of their particularly strong plasmonic field, which is enhanced at the sharp features of the cubes. The PPE polymer is an exceptionally fluorescent conjugated polymer that often serves as a building block for polymer-based sensing applications. By monitoring the absorption and emission of the PPE polymer, a better understanding of plasmonic effects on this polymer system was obtained. Compression of the monolayer of AgNCs on the surface of a Langmuir-Blodgett trough can be used for control of interparticle distance and, thus, the plasmon field intensity felt by an adsorbed layer of PPE polymer. In the Chapter 4, PPE (n = 15) emission was monitored as a function of the AgNC plasmonic field. A two-photon process was found to explain the unusual increase then decrease of the fluorescence intensity. This observation was attributed to exciton-exciton annihilation processes within the polymer. The annihilation process is initiated by large enhancements of the polymer absorption rate when plasmonic fields are at their highest (when the AgNCs are compressed to short interparticle distances). In chapter 5, the optical properties of PPE polymers as a function of their chain length and the AgNC density were examined. A simple study was conducted to consider the conformational/geometrical effects on PPE that were caused by the deposition of PPE onto the AgNC topography. In this study, the structure of the absorption and emission profiles were evaluated and used as evidence of polymer interchain interactions, planarization, and even the potential generation of oligomeric species through breaking of conjugation. Fundamental interactions between materials must be evaluated and optimized prior to their use in devices. This thesis serves to shed a little bit of light on the interaction of a well-defined plasmonic particle with a conjugated polymer. The Langmuir-Blodgett technique serves as a critical tool in applying these colloidally produced nanoparticles to 2D arrays in practical applications. The observation of exciton-exciton annihilation at low-energy excitation is an entirely new phenomenon that was initiated by the plasmonic properties of metal nanoparticles. It is the hope of the author that the results contained herein can aide in the use of plasmonic nanoparticles in future devices.

This study enters into the dialog within Christian theology between annihilationism and traditionalism on the nature of eternal punishment. The positions and issues within the topic will be examined theologically and analyzed doctrinally. In my first chapter I will summarize the views and arguments in the debate, establish operating definitions, address preliminary issues, and provide some historical context. I will establish a thesis agenda with dual aspects: negatively, to examine and critique annihilationism on theological grounds, and positively to offer arguments for a modified traditionalism. Chapters two, three, and four primarily serve the negative purpose. Chapter two critically considers annihilationism on exegetical and hermeneutical issues, concluding that the view is inferior to traditionalism. Chapter three examines annihilationism for consistency with other areas of Christian theology, concluding that the view generates major theological problems in Christology. Chapter four considers both annihilationism and traditionalism regarding the disproportionality problem of hell, concluding that annihilationism and two types of traditionalism can resolve the problem but of these three only one sort of traditionalism can do so whilst also satisfying other important theological criteria. Regarding the negative aspect of the thesis, I conclude that the severe theological problems in annihilationism constitute sufficient reason to reject the view. In chapter five I accomplish the positive aspect of this thesis, offering six criteria of success for any view of eternal punishment. I then provide detailed argumentation for a modified traditionalism called reconciliationism, concluding it best meets these criteria and is the most theologically and exegetically satisfying view on offer. In the concluding chapter I state this thesis' contributions, suggest several areas for further research, and offer some implications for pastoral theology. I finally conclude that annihilationism has seemingly insurmountable theological problems, but a modified traditionalism can succeed as a doctrine of hell.

I have outlined some objections to soteriologies that presume that only some are given a chance of eternal life. Such soteriologies can include or exclude those mentally competent but lacking human evangelisation. Fundamental to evaluating soteriologies I have looked at both what sin is (being and doing) and what salvation consists in, as regards divine and human interaction. On the one side I have considered God's goodness - would such a being act unethically regarding man's eternity? On the other hand I have looked at whether, and if so in what way, man is required to respond - in what way or ways is chance (if at all) given. Finally I have considered views about those who die in infancy. Here I have tentatively suggested my own theory which seeks to presume that before death every human being may choose to accept of reject God, a choice integral (I suggest) to salvation. / Department of Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

I have outlined some objections to soteriologies that presume that only some are given a chance of eternal life. Such soteriologies can include or exclude those mentally competent but lacking human evangelisation. Fundamental to evaluating soteriologies I have looked at both what sin is (being and doing) and what salvation consists in, as regards divine and human interaction. On the one side I have considered God's goodness - would such a being act unethically regarding man's eternity? On the other hand I have looked at whether, and if so in what way, man is required to respond - in what way or ways is chance (if at all) given. Finally I have considered views about those who die in infancy. Here I have tentatively suggested my own theory which seeks to presume that before death every human being may choose to accept of reject God, a choice integral (I suggest) to salvation. / Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)