Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersGöttingen, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
- Legal name
- Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
- Website
- https://ds.mpg.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Göttingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Max Planck Society Base Funding: Core institutional funding from the Max Planck Society, which is a German non-profit research organization funded primarily by federal and state governments.
- Third-Party Research Funding: Funding from external agencies including BMBF (German Ministry for Education and Research), Volkswagen Foundation, European Commission, DFG (German Research Foundation), and Lower Saxony Ministry for Science and Culture. Also includes industrial partnerships.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) conducts fundamental scientific research on the physical and biological processes governing dynamics and self-organization in complex systems. Its work spans experimental, theoretical, and numerical approaches across fluid physics, turbulence, atmospheric physics, living matter physics, and pattern formation. The institute operates two scientific departments (LFPB and LMP), maintains unique research instruments such as the Variable Density Turbulence Tunnel and the Max Planck CloudKite, and trains doctoral researchers through graduate programs with the University of Göttingen.
Product overview
The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization is a fundamental research institute focused on physics-based investigation of complex systems and self-organization phenomena. The institute operates two main scientific departments—Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity (LFPB) and Living Matter Physics (LMP)—alongside several independent Max Planck Research Groups. Key scientific instruments and facilities include the Variable Density Turbulence Tunnel for high-pressure turbulence experiments, the Max Planck CloudKite aerial research platform for atmospheric boundary layer studies, the WinDarts atmospheric measurement probes, HoloTrack holography system for cloud microphysics, and the Göttingen Turret for particle dynamics studies. The institute also maintains a graduate program offering PhD positions through IMPRS partnerships and hosts the Max Planck-University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics as a major collaborative research initiative.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Variable Density Turbulence Tunnel (VDTT) A pressurized wind tunnel that circulates air, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), or other noncorrosive gases to achieve Reynolds numbers up to Rλ~1700 with SF6 at 15 bar. Features two measurement sections with octagonal cross-sections of 1.7m² each, pressure and temperature control, and optical and electrical interfaces. Used internally for high-pressure turbulence experiments and accessible through the Twente Center partnership.
- Max Planck CloudKite (MPCK/MPCK+) A tethered 250m³ helikite facility that carries atmospheric measurement equipment up to 1.5 km altitude with a payload of up to 100 kg. Equipped with Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and in-line Holography modules for measuring cloud droplets. Deployed for atmospheric boundary layer research.
- HoloTrack Airborne Holography System An airborne particle-tracking in-line holography setup that extracts 3D positional data, particle shapes, sizes, and velocities within a maximum volume of 100 cm³. Resolves cloud droplets down to 6 µm in diameter. Used for cloud microphysics research.
- WinDarts Atmospheric Turbulence Probe A lightweight (~15 kg) instrument box for in-situ measurements of atmospheric turbulence within the planetary boundary layer. Equipped with sensors for high-resolution 3D wind velocity, temperature, humidity, pressure, CO2, VOCs, and particle size distributions. Deployed from the CloudKite tether.
- Göttingen Turret Particle Dynamics Setup A high-precision experimental setup using four high-resolution cameras combined with a precision mechanical arrangement to track translational and rotational dynamics of submillimeter non-spherical particles (pollen, dust, volcanic ash, ice crystals).
- Graduate Program (IMPRS, GAUSS, GGNB PhD Training) PhD training program enrolling approximately 50 doctoral researchers, primarily physicists. Includes the IMPRS for Physics of Biological and Complex Systems, Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience, and participation in GGNB (Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics and Molecular Biosciences) and GAUSS graduate schools, in collaboration with Georg August University Göttingen.
- Max Planck-University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics A joint research center combining MPI-DS, Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research Mainz, and University of Twente research groups for shared infrastructure in complex fluid dynamics. Focus areas include medical diagnostics, wind turbine operation, and fundamental fluid dynamics.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ramin Golestanian elected Fellow of the Royal Society (2026)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature5 records
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- University of TwentecoreMax Planck-University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics established in 2017. Total investment of approximately 10 million euros from both parties. Enables shared use of unique laboratory facilities including Taylor-Couette system and high-pressure wind tunnel. Focus areas include medical diagnostics, wind turbine operation, and fundamental fluid dynamics research.
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPIP)coreCollaboration through the Max Planck-University of Twente Center for Complex Fluid Dynamics. MPIP contributes expertise in nanostructured surfaces, nanoparticle fluids, and Lab-on-a-Chip technology.
- University of GöttingencoreClose institutional connection with the Faculty of Physics at University of Göttingen. Most PhDs are completed in collaboration with the university. Joint graduate programs through GGNB and GAUSS.
- Max Planck Institute for Biophysical ChemistrycoreLocated adjacent to MPI-DS on the Max Planck Campus. Existing and continuing cooperations in interdisciplinary areas between physics, biology, and medicine.
- Max Planck Institute for Complex Technical Systems (Magdeburg)minorListed as further cooperation partner within Germany for research collaborations.
- Max Planck Institute Chemistry (Mainz)minorListed as further cooperation partner within Germany for research collaborations.
- Leibniz University HanoverminorListed as further cooperation partner within Germany for research collaborations.
- University of BayreuthminorListed as further cooperation partner within Germany for research collaborations.
- LMU MunichminorListed as further cooperation partner within Germany for research collaborations.
- UFS SchneefernerhausminorField laboratory at the Zugspitze mountain at 2650m altitude for studying microphysics of clouds. Part of the Virtual Alpine Observatory.
- University College LondonminorEuropean research partner listed under further cooperation partners.
- University of OxfordminorEuropean research partner. Prof. Golestanian was previously Professor at Oxford before joining MPI-DS in 2018.
- ETH ZürichminorEuropean research partner listed under further cooperation partners (Prof. Eric Dufresne).
- Bilkent UniversityminorInternational partner listed under further cooperation partners.
- Bilkent University (Dr. Amir Bahrami)minorMax Planck Partner Group focused on Active Membrane Dynamics in Cellular and Biological Processes.
- Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen (Prof. Xiaozhou He)minorMax Planck Partner Group investigating mid-ocean ridge evolutions using a wax model.
- Shaanxi Normal University (Dr. Xiang Gao)minorMax Planck Partner Group focused on Biophysics and Pattern Formation research.
- Institute of Theoretical Physics, CAS, Beijing (Dr. Fanlong Meng)minorMax Planck Partner Group studying multi-particle coordination of motile Cilia.
- Korea University (Prof. Hyejeong Kim)minorMax Planck Partner Group focused on Functional micro-particles for water purification.
- Robert Koch InstituteminorInstitute researchers serve on consulting committees. Collaboration on public health matters including airborne disease transmission research.
- German Government Expert CouncilminorInstitute researchers participate as consultants in the expert council of the German government on matters related to complex systems research.
- International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP)minorInstitute researchers participate in IUPAP committees and consulting activities.
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)minorUK research council with which institute researchers are involved in consulting activities.
- NeuroNex Working Memory ConsortiumminorInternational neuroscience research consortium with institute involvement in consulting.
- Magnetics and Microhydrodynamics (MAMI)minorInternational research consortium with institute involvement in consulting activities.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization social profiles
Digital presenceMax Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization M&A and investment
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Frequently asked questions about Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
What does Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization do?
The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) conducts fundamental scientific research on the physical and biological processes governing dynamics and self-organization in complex systems. Its work spans experimental, theoretical, and numerical approaches across fluid physics, turbulence, atmospheric physics, living matter physics, and pattern formation. The institute operates two scientific departments (LFPB and LMP), maintains unique research instruments such as the Variable Density Turbulence Tunnel and the Max Planck CloudKite, and trains doctoral researchers through graduate programs with the University of Göttingen.
Is Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization a public or private company?
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization founded?
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization was founded in 2004. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization based?
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization is headquartered in Göttingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Max Planck Society Base Funding is the primary driver. The others are third-Party Research Funding.
Does Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization have an API?
No public API is recorded for Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization.