Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization

Welcome to the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization

What we want
No matter how well we understand how a single droplet of water is formed in the laboratory, we cannot predict how countless droplets form clouds that substantially affect the Earth’s climate. And although we can accurately characterize a single neuron’s impulse, we do not yet understand how billions of them form a single thought. In such systems, animate or inanimate, processes of self-organization are at work: Many interacting parts organize themselves independently, without external control, into a complex whole. At our institute we explore the mechanisms underlying these processes in order to gain a detailed understanding of complex systems. Also the major challenges of the 21st century, from climate change and economic crises to problems in energy supply and transport, are closely linked to these scientific questions. Without a deep understanding of dynamics and self-organization in complex and highly networked systems we cannot face these challenges. With our basic research not only do we want to deepen our understanding of nature, but also want to contribute to a sustainable existence on this planet.

News


Activity stabilizes mixtures

Activity stabilizes mixtures

January 09, 2025
Non-reciprocal interactions between particles allow regulation of dynamic states
Künstliche Neuronen organisieren sich selbst

Künstliche Neuronen organisieren sich selbst

March 28, 2025
Göttinger Forschungsteam konstruiert Netzwerk aus selbstlernenden infomorphic neurons
Microorganisms go with the Flow

Microorganisms go with the Flow

February 10, 2025
Researchers from the University of Bayreuth and the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation in Göttingen have investigated the movement patterns of unicellular, hydrogen-producing green algae under different light intensities. Their findings will contribute to optimising the use of these microorganisms in biotechnological applications, such as the production of renewable energy sources. The team has published its results in the internationally renowned journal PNAS.

Research Departments

Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Eberhard Bodenschatz

We are investigating the dynamics of a variety of complex nonlinear systems both experimentally and theoretically. Our interests are currently focused on biocomplexity in cell-biology, Lagrangian properties of fully developed turbulence, pattern formation and spatio-temporal chaos, and the Geodynamics of the earth's crust.

Living Matter Physics

Prof. Dr. Ramin Golestanian

The department of Living Matter Physics is engaged in a wide range of theoretical research aimed at a multi-scale understanding of the dynamics of living systems from a physical perspective. The aim is to understand the complex dynamics of living matter well enough to be able to make it from the bottom-up; i.e. from molecules to systems.

Max Planck Research Groups

Turbulence and Wind Energy
Dr. Claudia Brunner
Theory of Turbulent Convection
PD Dr. Olga Shishkina
BiomedicalPhysics
Prof. Dr. Stefan Luther
Dynamics of Biological Networks
Prof. Dr. Fred Wolf
Complex SystemsTheory
Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann
Theory of Biological Fluids
Dr. David Zwicker

In a nutshell

Dates

LMP Seminar: Where to dig for gold? Simple ‘tricks’ to help find new universality classes

Dr. Chiu Fan Lee
Apr 29, 2025 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Room: Riemannraum 1.40 & ZOOM Meeting ID: 997 1155 2453 Passcode: 771001

Fluid and Biodynamics Seminar: Duality of Navier-Stokes to a one-dimensional system

Prof. Alexander Migdal
May 5, 2025 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Room: Prandtl Lecture Hall and Zoom Meeting ID 691 0007 9220, Passcode 856480

MPI-DS Colloquium: Mechanical imprints of cell fate and cell competition

Prof. Benoit Ladoux
May 14, 2025 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Room: Prandtl Lecture Hall and Zoom Meeting ID 959 2774 3389 Passcode: 651129

MPI-DS Colloquium: Self-organization in drylands: from pairwise plant interactions to ecosystem robustness

Dr. Ricardo Martinez-Garcia
May 21, 2025 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Room: Prandtl Lecture Hall and Zoom Meeting ID 959 2774 3389 Passcode: 651129

Fluid and Biodynamics Seminar: Experimental investigations in high Reynolds number turbulent pipe flow

Dr. Noriyuki Furuichi
May 26, 2025 02:15 PM - 03:15 PM (Local Time Germany)
Max-Planck-Institut für Dynamik und Selbstorganisation (MPIDS), Room: Prandtl Lecture Hall and Zoom Meeting ID 691 0007 9220, Passcode 856480
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