1. April 11, 2013
Re: Reference letter for Eliahu Bendet-Taicher
To Whom It May Concern:
With this letter, I would like to support Eliahu (Eli) Bendet-Taicher’s application. Eli is a fifth-year
graduate student and has been working in my laboratory at New York University since 2008. His
anticipated graduation date is the Fall of 2013.
From the start, Eli was interested in unusual projects where little prior work had been done. He
embarked on a project related to the measurements of noise processes, and spin-noise, in
particular, in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. Spin-noise processes are intriguing,
because they allow one to obtain measurements from samples without perturbing or exciting them.
In a recent publication, Eli and coworkers were able to show that using these noise processes, one
can determine optimal tuning conditions, which in turn, could be used for sensitivity enhancement
of up to 30% in protein NMR spectroscopy (that would translate to a time saving of 40%).
Eli is an exceptionally motivated worker and is easily inspired by innovative projects. For example,
Eli has joined efforts to develop traveling-wave NMR methodology. In this project, it is envisioned
to perform NMR experiments via waves that travel through the bore of a magnet (which could be
an MRI magnet). The bore of the magnet normally acts as a waveguide which has a specific cutoff
frequency. One can transform the bore into a transmission line, in which case the limitation of a
cutoff-frequency is lifted. As a result, we envision to perform remote NMR/MRI experiments within
unusual sample geometries, thus enabling new types of measurement capabilities (including, for
example, MRI applications). Eli has been designing a rectangular transmission line, which would
allow the sample to be distributed within a region where a uniform radiofrequency field can
propagate. Eli was able to show that the signal from such an arrangement can be measured, and
the sample region can be imaged via NMR and MRI techniques.
Further, Eli was also involved in a project on miniaturization of radio-frequency coils for sensitivity
enhancement in NMR spectroscopy, and in the study of cable-length dependence of noise and
spin-noise phenomena, work in which the interdependence between sensitivity, frequency shifts,
and transmission efficiency are investigated in a systematic manner in an effort to find the optimum
settings for each. In recent work, Eli also started a project on studying the unusual relaxation
properties of water, which I expect will reveal interesting properties about water dynamics and
structure.
New York University
A private university in the public service
Faculty of Arts and Science
Department of Chemistry
Alexej Jerschow
Associate Professor of Chemistry
100 Washington Square East
New York, NY 10003
Telephone: (212) 998-8451
Fax: (212) 260-7905
e-mail: alexej.jerschow@nyu.edu

2. At conferences, this work is usually put into the category of ‘Exotica’, which is typically an area of
high-impact / high-risk projects which often lead to paradigm-shifting, and game-changing
technology. Therefore, Eli’s work will always enjoy high visibility and impact.
Eli has contributed to a diverse set of projects, and has acquired unusual and diverse set of skills
(especially for a Chemistry student), thus placing him in an excellent position to expand his
potential for the development of NMR measurement techniques, which usually pervade all areas of
Chemistry. For example, with his skills in electrical and radiofrequency engineering, he will be
uniquely positioned to develop new applications in medical imaging, oil-logging, and microfluidic
chips.
Eli is a self-driven coworker, unfazed by the challenges that a very innovative projects brings
about, and he is also an excellent colleague to his peers. He has received outstanding teaching
evaluations and has received University-wide and Department-wide teaching awards.
For his research activities Eli was also awarded the prestigious Margaret and Herman Sokol
Fellowship.
I therefore fully expect Eli’s dissertation to have a strong impact in physical chemistry, medical
imaging, and spectroscopy, and also to lead to further high-profile publications.
Eli is an excellent team player, and a very pleasant coworker and colleague. I am sure you will
enjoy working with him.
For the reasons mentioned above I strongly support Eli’s application. Please do not hesitate to
contact me should you have any questions about Eli or his work.
Sincerely
Alexej Jerschow