Our research program involves the development of new nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods and their application to exemplary problems spanning chemistry, materials science, and biomedicine. The laboratory has introduced NMR techniques that make it possible to probe the structure, dynamics, and function of materials in the solid state. Current research interests involve novel approaches to spin polarization, detection, molecular sensing, and miniaturization. Examples include the technology of hyperpolarized xenon molecular sensing, by which magnetic resonance spectra and images can be labeled with chemical, structural, and functional information; the combination of optical spectroscopy and magnetic resonance to provide new experiments that retain the optimal properties of each technique; and the development of portable analytical devices for potential chemical, materials, and biosensor applications, based on miniaturized NMR and MRI. We hope to extend our current solid-state NMR research through transfer of hyperpolarization to liquids, which has potential bioimaging purposes.