Hans Gaffron

Hans Gaffron
Born	(1902-05-17)May 17, 1902 Lima, Peru
Died	August 18, 1979(1979-08-18) (aged 77) Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA
Nationality	German
Occupation	Chemist Biological Researcher.
Spouse	Clara Ostendorf ​ ​ (m. 1932⁠–⁠1979)​

Dr. Hans Gaffron was born in Lima, Peru, on May 17, 1902, and was a son of the German physician Eduard Gaffron and his wife Hedwig von Gevekot.

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.

Works

• Research in Photosynthesis. New York, Interscience Publ., 1957. OCLC 252395040
• Photosynthesis. Boston, Heath, 1965. OCLC 3038933

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. ISBN 978-1-4020-3323-0, 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. ISBN 978-3-89244-797-9