Hans Gaffron

Hans Gaffron (May 17, 1902 – August 18, 1979) was a German chemist. He was one of the earlier researchers trying to elucidate the mechanistic and biochemical details of photosynthesis and plant metabolism. His most notable finding was the discovery of a process whereby unicellular green algae can produce molecular Hydrogen (H2) in the presence of light, and that the precursors were derived from photosynthetic water-splitting. Applications based on his work have led to many efforts to develop H2 as a renewable biofuel.

He was a son of the German physician Eduard Gaffron and his wife Hedwig von Gevekot.

Works

• Research in Photosynthesis. New York, Interscience Publ., 1957.
• Photosynthesis. Boston, Heath, 1965.

Notes

References

• "Hydrogen metabolism of green algae: discovery and early research a tribute to Hans Gaffron"; Govindjee, J.T. Beatty, H. Gest, J.F. Allen. Discoveries in Photosynthesis Springer, 2006. , pp. 119–129
• "Hans Gaffron" in Reinhard Rürup, Schicksale und Karrieren: Gedenkbuch für die von den Nationalsozialisten aus der Kaiser-wilhelm-gesellschaft Vertriebenen Forscherinnen und Forscher, Wallstein Verlag, 2008.