Doron Aurbach is a distinguished Israeli electrochemist and physical chemist who serves as Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Bar-Ilan University. He holds several leadership positions including Director of the Energy Center at the Bar-Ilan University Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials and leader of the Israel National Research Center for Electrochemical Propulsion, which comprises research groups from multiple leading Israeli academic institutions. Born in Israel in 1952 to Holocaust survivors, Aurbach served in the Golani Brigade reconnaissance unit during the Yom Kippur War and later returned as a deputy commander, eventually reaching the rank of Major before his discharge from reserve duty. A native of Ramat Gan who attended Blich High School, he earned his BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees from Bar-Ilan University, completing his doctoral studies in 1983 under the supervision of Professor Shmaryahu Hoz.
Professor Aurbach heads one of Israel's most prominent electrochemistry research groups, consisting of more than forty researchers working at the forefront of electrochemical, surface and material sciences. His prolific research output includes over 540 peer-reviewed publications accumulating more than 37,000 citations, focusing on critical areas such as electrochemistry of active metals, non-aqueous electrochemical systems, electrochemical intercalation processes, and water desalination technologies. His laboratory has developed novel analytical approaches including in-situ spectro-electrochemical tools and hydrodynamic spectroscopy of composite surfaces, advancing both fundamental understanding and practical applications in energy storage. Aurbach maintains extensive industry collaborations with global leaders such as Nichia, ATL, BASF, and General Motors, translating basic research into real-world electrochemical propulsion and energy storage solutions.
As a mentor, Aurbach has guided the academic careers of 70 PhD students, 80 MSc students, and 40 post-doctoral fellows, with many of his graduates now holding academic positions in Israel and internationally. He previously served as Chairperson of the Chemistry Department at Bar-Ilan University and as chairman of the Israel National Labs Accreditation Authority, demonstrating his leadership across academic and national scientific infrastructure. Aurbach founded and leads the Bar-Ilan University Center of Energy & Sustainability, which coordinates the efforts of more than 55 research groups working on clean energy solutions. His ongoing research continues to push the boundaries of electrochemical science while addressing global challenges in sustainable energy and water purification, cementing his legacy as a central figure in advancing electrochemical technologies for a more sustainable future.
