News releases 2026

His new chair will strengthen collaboration between the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) and the Technical University of Munich more

Double success for the heat flux test stand in Garching: On 8 January, the GLADIS team celebrated its 300,000th pulse. And since the beginning of 2026, the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) facility has been undergoing expansion for high-performance operation with a grant of 3.2 million euros.
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On 26 February 2026, the four partners signed a framework agreement providing for the construction of a demonstration stellarator called „Alpha“ in Garching. The Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics (IPP) will take the scientific lead in this project. more

For more than 40 years, the H-mode has been considered the desired operating scenario for tokamak-type fusion facilities. But why it suddenly develops remains a mystery. Now, with the help of simulations, physicists have found an explanation for the first time that is based solely on fundamental physical principles. The work is published in the journal Physical Review Letters. more

Dr. Alexander von Müller has been leading a new junior research group at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics since 2025, focusing on the development and research of novel materials for fusion reactor walls – funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR). Here he explains his research.
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Since 2025, Dr. Victoria Winters has been leading a new junior research group at the University of Greifswald to investigate the plasma edge at the IPP Stellarator Wendelstein 7-X – funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR). Here she explains her research.

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Nearly 200 experts from research, industry, start-ups and ministries gathered at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching on 12 and 13 January 2026 for the 7th Forum Fusion. To kick things off, the Federal Ministry of Research presented its plans to accelerate technology development in Germany with three fusion hubs.
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