Ziggy, Filicia, Jingsong, etc. for their sharing of knowledge and making my research life more enjoyable, and also the technicians in Environmental Lab 1&2-especially Aidil and Chew Wang, for their kind support on equipment and consumable purchase. Without their patient help, I would not be able to conduct my research work. Also, I would like to show my appreciation to the membrane suppliers for the hollow fiber membranes and their precious advice. Without their support, I would not be able to commence this thesis study. Lastly, I would like to thank my dearest parents and family for giving me unlimited support and bearing with my nagging miseries whenever frustrations/difficulties were met-words would be too pale to express my gratitude and love. Also, to those good friends (Alek, David, Aisha, Veras, Ria, Yiyi, Kei, Liujian, etc.) that I met outside SMTC lab during my three-year stay in Singapore-thanks for all the priceless fun and kind encouragement, and sorry for forcing you (i.e., Alek) to review my boring scientific papers once in a while-I would never make it without any of you, who have made me a more optimistic and stronger person.