Born: June 1949.      B.A. and M.A. Columbia Univ.       Ph.D. Brown Univ. (1976)

Professor Emeritus, Department of Solar Energy and Environmental Physics
Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus 8499000, Israel

e-mail: jeff@bgu.ac.il

also Adjunct Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia

Last updated:31 August 2026

Active research grants in (1) algal biotechnology, (2) innovative solar power in space, and (3) nano-material synthesis.

Current Scientific Activities

A) Algae ultra-efficient bioproductivity

B) Nanomaterial synthesis by highly concentrated solar and lamp light

C) Solar power in space

D) Novel high-impact solar power systems

E) Innovative optics for solar concentrators and illumination

F) Advanced solar cells

G) Desalination and dehumidification

H) Adsorption science

A video of a May 2024 public lecture for a general audience on our advances in nanotechnology and their commercialization can be viewed at:

https://echo360.net.au/media/afbb7349-1f8b-4a53-ac0a-422b9cf39a00/public

Space does not permit a full description of these projects­, and I earnestly invite correspondence.

The following publications - restricted to the past 10 years - are representative (PDF-format reprints are available upon request):

A) Algae bioproductivity

J.M. Gordon, H. Peduruarachchi, M.P. Ginige, K.Y. Cheng & H.T. Chua (2026) "15.5-fold boost in photosynthetic photon conversion efficiency at high irradiance in Spirulina platensis via pulsed red light". Chemical Engineering Journal 546, 179514. - An unprecedented and unparalleled experimental demonstration of the improvement that can be achieved in photosynthetic efficiency via the judicious application of pulsed light.

Y. Zarmi, J.M. Gordon, A. Mahulkar, A.R. Khopkar, S.D. Patil, A. Banerjee, B.G. Reddy, T.P. Griffin & A. Sapre (2020) "Enhanced algal photosynthetic photon efficiency by pulsed light". iScience 23, 101115. - A breakthrough constituting both extensive experimental evidence and a physical model rooted in photon-arrival statistics, demonstrating a factor of 3 improvement in the efficiency with which algae process photons for photosynthesis at average-to-peak solar intensities.

B) Nanomaterial synthesis by highly concentrated solar and lamp light

(Our experimental results recently spawned the nanotechnology spin-off company Ablano Pty Ltd of Perth, Australia, which is currently commercializing the scalable synthesis of boron nitride nano-particles and few-layer graphene.)

J. He, H. Zhang, W. Zhang, J. Wang. M. Saunders, J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2025) "Ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets via lamp ablation". ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces 17, 12440-12447.

J. He, H. Zhang, S. Eshon, W. Zhang, M. Saunders, J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2024) "Singular tungsten disulfide core-shell and pure tungsten nanostructures". Applied Materials Today 39, 102336.

J. He, H. Zhang, W. Zhang, J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2024) “Production of few-layer graphene and boron nitride nano onions via lamp ablation”. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science Engineering 1318, 012037.

T. Barbe, R. Rosentsveig, O. Brontvein, M.B. Sreedhara, K. Zheng, F. Bataille, A. Vossier, G. Flamant, I.E. Castelli, J.M. Gordon & R. Tenne (2023) "Synthesis of the elusive doublewall nanotubes and nanocones(horns) of MoS2 via focused solar ablation". Advanced Materials and Interfaces 10, 2201930.

H. Zhang, J. He, W. Zhang, I.E. Castelli, M. Saunders, J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2023) "Rapid, one-pot, non-toxic and scalable synthesis of boron nitride nano-onions via lamp ablation". Materials Today 67, 13-22. The first scalable, safe method for generating these unique BN nano-particles of exceptional value for high-temperature lubrication and anti-corrosion applications - upon which the Ablano corporation of Perth, Australia has been founded to commercialize production.

T. Barbe, R. Rosentsveig, O. Brontvein, M.B. Sreedhara, K. Zheng, F. Bataille, A. Vossier, G. Flamant, I.E. Castelli, J.M. Gordon & R. Tenne (2023) "Nanocones(horns) of MoS2 via focused solar ablation". Advanced Materials Interfaces 10, 2201930. - The synthesis of fundamentally small MoS2 nanotubes and nanocones(horns) that had proven elusive in all prior studies.

T. Barbe, G. Flamant, E. Nadal, A. Vossier, G. Olalde, J.M. Gordon & F. Bataille (2022) "Elucidating the gas flow dynamics in a nanomaterial synthesis solar reactor". Chemical Engineering Journal 442, 135846.

S. Eshon, W. Zhang, M. Saunders, Y. Zhang, H.T. Chua & J.M. Gordon (2019) “Panorama of boron nitride nanostructures via lamp ablation”. Nano Research 12, 557-562. - Seminal advance in the rapid, safe and scalable synthesis of boron nitride nano-onions, of prodigious lubricating value.

E.A. Katz, I. Visoly-Fisher, D. Feuermann, R. Tenne & J.M. Gordon (2018) “Concentrated sunlight for materials synthesis and diagnostics”. Advanced Materials 1800444.

O. Brontvein, L. Houben, R. Popovitz-Biro, M. Levy, D. Feuermann, R. Tenne & J.M. Gordon (2017) “Synthesis and characterization of Pb@GaS core-shell fullerene-like nanoparticles and nanotubes”. Nano 12, 1750030.

C) Solar power in space

R.M.N. Pereira, L.F.L. Souza & J.M. Gordon (2026) "Bifacial photovoltaic micro-concentrators for space". Optics Letters 51, 1299-1302.

C.J. Ruud, J.M. Gordon & N.C. Giebink (2023) "Microcell concentrating photovoltaics for space". Joule 7, 1093-1098. The design and experimental results for new generations of photovoltaic concentrators for space missions, with uncommonly low size and specific mass (kg/kW).

J.M. Gordon (2022) "Uninterrupted photovoltaic power for lunar colonization without the need for storage". Renewable Energy 187, 987-994. - A paradigm shift in solar power for the anticipated energy needs in colonies on the Moon, where photovoltaic electricity is supplied 100% of the time without the need for storage.

C.J. Ruud, J.M. Gordon, R.F. McCarthy & N.C. Giebink (2022) "Sine-limiting microcell solar concentrators for space". Optics Express 30, 40328-40336. - The latest advance in photovoltaic concentrators for space, which achieve record-high specific power (kW/kg) at high efficiency and ultra-compactness, by a fundamentally new class of optical design.

C.J. Ruud, A.J. Grede, J-K Chang, M.P. Lumb, K.J. Schmieder, B. Fisher, J.A. Rogers, J.M. Gordon & N.C. Giebink (2019) “Design and demonstration of ultra-compact microcell concentrating photovoltaics for space”. Optics Express 27, A1467-A1480. - Solar concentrator optics and photovoltaics tailored to the new challenging demands of private commercial space missions - launched by NASA to the International Space Station in March 2020 for testing.

D) Novel high-impact solar power systems

A.  Vossier, T. Fasquelle & J.M. Gordon (2026) "Decarbonization versus technological continuity: The implications for global transport"". Energy Conversion and Management: X 30, 101885. - A thorough roadmap for decarbonizing the transport sector.

J.M. Gordon, T. Fasquelle, E. Nadal & A. Vossier (2021) "Providing large-scale electricity demand with photovoltaics and molten-salt storage". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 135, 110261. - A novel amalgamation of existing technologies for storing photovoltaic-generated energy that can achieve up to 90% grid penetration (24 hours/day, 365 days/year).

J.M. Gordon, G. Moses & E.A. Katz (2021) "Boosting silicon photovoltaic efficiency from regasification of liquefied natural gas". Energy 214, 118907. - A new unorthodox method to boost the efficiency of conventional silicon photovoltaic arrays by more than 70% relative by exploiting a worldwide supply of nominally free ultra-cold energy at liquefied natural gas regasification terminals.

A. Vossier, J. Zeitouny, E.A. Katz, A. Dollet, G. Flamant & J.M. Gordon (2018) “Performance bounds and perspective for hybrid solar photovoltaic/thermal electricity generation”. Sustainable Energy & Fuels 2, 2060-2067. - An energetic perspective for the potential and sobering limitations of hybrid solar electricity production systems.

J. Zeitouny, N. Lalau, J.M. Gordon, E.A. Katz, G. Flamant, A. Dollet & A. Vossier (2018) “Assessing high-temperature photovoltaic performance for solar hybrid power plants”. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 182, 61-67.

G.A. Salazar, N. Fraidenraich, C.A.A. de Oliveira, O.C. Vilela, M. Hongn & J.M. Gordon (2017), “Analytic modeling of parabolic trough solar thermal power plants”. Energy 138, 1148-1156.

M. Piness-Sommer, A. Braun, E.A. Katz & J.M. Gordon (2016) “Ultra-compact combustion-driven high-efficiency thermophotovoltaic generators”. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 157, 953-959. - Novel concept and evaluation for using conventional Si and Ge photovoltaics in advanced gas-combustion chambers for modular super-compact power generation.

E) Innovative optics for solar concentrators and illumination

L.F.L. Souza, N. Fraidenraich & J.M. Gordon (2024) "Aplanatic solar concentrators for tubular absorbers". Optics Letters 49, 1441-1444.

L.F.L. Souza, N. Fraidenraich, C. Tiba & J.M. Gordon (2023) "Analytic optical evaluation of aplanatic solar Fresnel reflectors". Solar Energy 249, 107-121.

L.F.L. Souza, N. Fraidenraich, C. Tiba & J.M. Gordon (2021) "Linear aplanatic Fresnel reflector for practical high-performance solar concentration". Solar Energy 222, 259-268.

E.T.A. Gomes, N. Fraidenraich, O.C. Vilela, C.A.A. Oliveira & J.M. Gordon (2019) "Aplanats and analytic modeling of their optical properties for linear solar concentrators with tubular receivers". Solar Energy 191, 697-706. - A novel, viable, pragmatic alternative for concentrator optics in line-focus solar thermal power plants.

H. Mashaal, D. Feuermann & J.M. Gordon (2019) “The expansive scope of aplanatic concentrators and collimators”. Applied Optics 58, F14-F20. - A compendium of our latest findings for basic new classes of aplanatic optics for solar concentration and light-emitting-diode collimation, within the perspective of all related discoveries to date.

J.M. Gordon & D. Feuermann (2019) “Aplanatic beam-down solar towers”. Proc. SPIE 11120, 111200E.

H. Mashaal, D. Feuermann & J.M. Gordon (2017) “Aplanatic Fresnel optics”. Optics Express 25, A274-A282. - Fundamentally new types of Fresnel optics for radiative transfer near the thermodynamic limit.

S.V. Boriskina, M.A. Green, K. Catchpole, E. Yablonovitch, M.C. Beard, Y. Okada, S. Lany, T. Gershon, A. Zakutayev, M.H. Tahersima, V.J. Sorger, M.J. Naughton, K. Kempa, M. Dagenais, Y. Yao, L. Xu, X. Sheng, N.D. Bronstein, J.A. Rogers, A.P. Alivisatos, R.G. Nuzzo, J.M. Gordon, D.M. Wu, M.D. Wisser, A. Salleo, J. Dionne, P. Bermel, J.J. Greffet, I. Celanovic, M. Soljacic, A. Manor, C. Rotschild, A. Raman, L. Zhu, S. Fan & G. Chen (2016) “Roadmap on optical energy conversion”. Journal of Optics 18, 073004 (48 pp). - State-of-the-art of optical energy conversion as of 2016.

H. Mashaal, D. Feuermann & J.M. Gordon (2016) “Aplanatic lenses revisited: the full landscape”. Applied Optics 55, 2537-2542.

F) Advanced solar cells

A. Vossier, G.E. Arnaoutakis, J.M. Gordon & E.A. Katz (2026) "Ultra high solar concentration for high efficiency solar cells". Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 243, 117362.

G.E. Arnaoutakis, D. Busko, B.S. Richards, A. Ivaturi, J.M. Gordon & E.A. Katz (2024) "Ultra-broadband near-infrared upconversion for solar energy harvesting". Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 269, 112783.

M.A. der Maur, G. Moses, J.M. Gordon, X. Huang, Y. Zhao & E.A. Katz (2021) "Temperature and intensity dependence of the open-circuit voltage of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well solar cells". Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 230, 111253.

G. Moses, X. Huang, Y. Zhao, M. Auf der Maur, E.A. Katz & J.M. Gordon (2020) "InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well solar cells under high solar concentration and elevated temperatures for hybrid solar thermal-photovoltaic power plants". Progress in Photovoltaics 28, 1167-1174. - Experimental demonstration of advanced solar cells that retain high efficiency at very high temperatures and high flux concentration, forming the first link toward future solar hybrid power generation.

A. Pusch, J.M. Gordon, A. Mellor, J.J. Krich & N.J. Ekins-Daukes (2019) "Fundamental efficiency bounds for the conversion of a radiative heat engine's own emission into work". Physical Review Applied 12, 064018. - The basic and applied science of a novel heat engine akin to, but intriguingly distinct from, photovoltaics.

W.L. Leong, Z.E. Ooi, D. Sabba, C. Yi, S.M. Zakeeruddin, M. Graetzel, J.M. Gordon, E.A. Katz & N. Mathews (2016) “Identifying fundamental limitations in halide perovskite solar cells”. Advanced Materials 28, 2439-2445. – New findings and insights for perovskite solar cells.

G) Desalination and dehumidification

D.T. Bui, M.K. Ja, J.M. Gordon, K.C. Ng & K.J. Chua (2017) "A thermodynamic perspective to study energy performance of vacuum-based membrane dehumidification". Energy 132, 106-115.

D.T. Bui, K.J. Chua & J.M. Gordon (2017) "Comment on 'Water harvesting from air with metal-organic frameworks powered by nature sunlight". Science 358, eaao0791.

J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2017) "The merits of plasmonic desalination". Nature Photonics 11, 70.

N. Fraidenraich, O.C. Vilela, M.S. Viana & J.M. Gordon (2016) "Improved analytic modeling and experimental validation for brackish-water reverse-osmosis desalination". Desalination 386, 60-65.

J.M. Gordon & H.T. Chua (2016) "Thermodynamic perspective for the specific energy consumption of seawater desalination". Desalination 386, 13-18.

H) Adsorption science

Z. Zhang, Z. Huang, J.M. Gordon, X. Huang, M.R. Islam & K.J. Chua (2026) "Predictive thermodynamic framework for temperature-dependent water adsorption in MIL-101(Cr) via discrete energetic transitions". International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 271, 129451.