Elad Harel

Research in the Harel lab is aimed at developing nonlinear spectroscopy and imaging methods towards a deeper understanding of molecular systems and in discovering new applications of these techniques to real-world problems. On the fundamental side, the group is attempting to understand how factors at the molecular scale influence macroscopic observables in complex and dynamical systems.

A heavy emphasis of the research effort is in developing high-resolution characterization methods at the ultimate limit of detection — a single molecule or nanocrystal — where size, shape, and environment can strongly influence the chemical, optical, and physical properties; these properties are oftentimes masked by ensemble measurements. Applications of these methods include standoff detection of biomolecules with high sensitivity and specificity, chemically-specific hyperspectral imaging, super-resolution live-cell microscopy, and real-time analysis of on-demand drug production, to name a few.