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


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.
Manfred Faubel receives innovation award

Manfred Faubel receives innovation award

January 09, 2025
By applying an electric field, the movement of microswimmers can be manipulated. Scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS), the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad and the University of Twente, Netherlands, describe the underlying physical principles by comparing experiments and theoretical modeling predictions. They are able to tune the direction and mode of motion through a microchannel between oscillation, wall adherence and centerline orientation, enabling different interactions with the environment.
Madame de Staël-Preis an Viola Priesemann verliehen

Madame de Staël-Preis an Viola Priesemann verliehen

December 13, 2024
Mit dem ALLEA-Preis wird Viola Priesemann, Mitglied der Jungen Akademie, für ihre bahnbrechenden Beiträge zur interdisziplinären Wissenschaft, ihre außergewöhnliche Führungsrolle während der Pandemie und ihr Engagement für die Förderung der europaweiten Zusammenarbeit in Wissenschaft, Politik und öffentlicher Gesundheit gewürdigt.

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: Effect of cyclic activity variations on motility-induced phase separation

Theo Spornhauer
Feb 18, 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

MPI-DS Colloquium: Dynamic knotted chiral meta matter

Prof. Dr. Ivan I. Smalyukh
Mar 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: 959 2774 3389 Passcode: 651129

MPI-DS Colloquium: Morphogenesis of Soft Matter

Prof. Zvonimir Dogic
Apr 9, 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: tbd

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: tbd

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
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