Harel Dor

Harel Dor, a PhD student in Purdue University’s Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has received a 2026 Graduate Research Fellowship from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), a prestigious honor that supports outstanding graduate students pursuing research-based degrees in science and engineering.

Dor’s fellowship recognizes research aimed at improving neutron imaging, a specialized technique that helps scientists examine the internal makeup of materials in ways other imaging methods cannot. Unlike X-rays, which are especially good at showing dense materials, neutrons can reveal details about lighter elements such as hydrogen, making them useful for applications ranging from energy systems to manufacturing inspection.

Dor’s project focuses on making neutron imaging faster, sharper and more informative. They are working to improve how data from neutron beams are interpreted, especially when researchers want to understand not just the shape of an object but also its material composition.

In their research plan, Dor proposes a new statistical model for detecting neutrons and the light they produce during imaging. That model could help reconstruct neutron images with greater detail, potentially in real time, removing the need for slower processing methods that bundle large amounts of data before analysis. This approach has the potential to improve imaging for hydrogen fuel cells, nuclear energy research and industrial inspection.

“This fellowship represents an incredible opportunity, and I’m deeply honored to have received it,” Dor said. “I’m excited for the chance to pursue research that could improve neutron imaging in ways that make it more precise, more efficient and more useful for important applications in energy, manufacturing and national security.”

The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program is one of the nation’s most competitive recognitions for graduate students and is designed to support future leaders in science and engineering.