As part of this initiative, the HZDR is also establishing the Institute for High-Energy-Density Physics at its Rostock site, which was founded in early June and is funded 90 percent by the federal government and 10 percent by the Free State of Saxony. With an investment of 20 million euros, the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is supporting the establishment of HEDI and financing a new research building, which is scheduled for completion by 2030. <\/p>\n
This will create an internationally recognized center for cutting-edge research in Rostock, which will attract highly qualified scientists on a long-term basis and bring additional research investment to the region.<\/p>\n
The research focuses on extreme states of matter, such as those found only inside planets and stars. The scientists are investigating how matter behaves under enormous pressures and temperatures and what physical processes take place in the process.<\/p>\n
These findings are crucial for the further development of so-called inertial confinement fusion, in which nuclear fusion is triggered by high-intensity laser pulses. A deep understanding of the complex processes occurring during the compression and ignition of fusion fuel is essential for the future use of fusion energy.<\/p>\n
Together with international partners, HEDI will focus in particular on researching the properties of warm dense matter and hot dense matter. Among the initial scientific priorities are the projects \u201cMixtures of Light Elements at Megabar Pressures\u201d and \u201cDynamic Properties of Hot, Dense Matter at Gigabar Pressures.\u201d<\/p>\n
HEDI works closely with the European XFEL in Schenefeld as well as other partners in Germany and abroad. In addition, HEDI will participate in the High-Tech Agenda Germany and the \u201cFusion 2040\u201d funding program of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR), which aims to advance the development of a fusion power plant in Germany. A collaboration is already underway with the fusion company Marvel Fusion, which is working on laser-based nuclear fusion for future energy production.<\/p>\n
With HEDI, the University of Rostock is also creating an attractive environment for training highly qualified professionals. In the future, students will benefit from even greater involvement in current research projects and from new opportunities in teaching, internships, and doctoral studies.<\/p>\n
The two founding directors of HEDI, Prof. Ronald Redmer and Prof. Dominik Kraus, have already established their first research teams and launched international projects. In addition, preparations are currently underway for a third professorship in Applied High-Energy-Density Physics, which is scheduled to be filled in 2027.<\/p>\n
With HEDI, Rostock is thus becoming a new flagship of the German research landscape\u2014and an important building block on the path to the energy supply of the future.<\/p>\n
Dorothee B\u00e4r, Federal Minister for Research, Technology, and Space:<\/b> \u201cFusion has the potential to meet the energy needs of the future. To ensure that the world\u2019s first commercial fusion power plant is located in Germany, we must understand this key technology down to the last detail. HEDI will investigate what happens to the fuel under the extreme conditions of laser fusion. To achieve this, outstanding experimental and theoretical expertise must be pooled across state borders in collaboration with the federal government. In line with Germany\u2019s High-Tech Agenda, everyone is pulling together here to ensure that Germany becomes a leading technology nation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manuela Schwesig, Minister-President of the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: <\/b>\u201cWe need the energy transition and renewable energies to protect the environment and to be independent in energy production. At the same time, it makes sense to continue researching alternatives. This includes exploring the various possibilities of fusion research. It\u2019s a positive development that Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony are pooling their expertise in energy research through a new research initiative. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania plans to invest over one million euros in HEDI this year alone and will then support the initiative with 1.7 million euros annually through 2030.\u201d<\/p>\n
Michael Kretschmer, Minister President of the Free State of Saxony:<\/b> \u201cSaxony is a strong hub for science and research with excellent universities and research institutions. The Helmholtz Center Dresden-Rossendorf is a prime example of the innovative strength in the Free State. Initiatives such as the joint federal and state-wide HEDI project with the University of Rostock specifically pool existing expertise in a strategically important research area to tap into new energy sources. Indeed, fusion research offers great opportunities for a secure, climate-neutral, and long-term energy supply. Successful collaborations like HEDI are therefore exactly the right way to further advance this promising technology while simultaneously strengthening the scientific excellence and competitiveness of Germany and Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sebastian Gemkow, Saxon Minister of Science: <\/b>\u201cLaser-based fusion research is a promising path toward the first operational nuclear fusion power plant. With the HZDR and its extensive expertise, along with the University of Rostock, two of Germany\u2019s leading institutions in this field are driving basic research forward. The expected findings are essential for determining which technology will enable a future fusion power plant to operate safely and reliably.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bettina Martin, Minister of Science for the State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: <\/b>\u201cWith the Wendelstein 7-X stellerator, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania holds a leading international position in fusion research. In Rostock, we are now expanding our presence with HEDI and investing in cutting-edge research in the field of laser fusion. The close collaboration between the University of Rostock and the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf is an absolute stroke of luck in this regard, as it brings together knowledge and scientific excellence in this promising field. Nuclear fusion is one of the key technologies in the federal government\u2019s High-Tech Agenda\u2014and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is a member of Germany\u2019s Fusion Alliance. Our targeted efforts over many years in the field of physics in Rostock and in fusion research are now bearing fruit. The High Energy Density Initiative Rostock will further strengthen our position in fusion research.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt, Scientific Director of the HZDR:<\/b> \u201cI am very proud that, with the founding of HEDI, the HZDR and the University of Rostock have succeeded in pooling their expertise in the field of high-energy-density physics, thereby taking the study of matter under extreme conditions to a new level. HEDI offers us the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the federal government\u2019s fusion strategy and high-tech agenda.\u201d <\/p>\n
Prof. Elizabeth Prommer, President of the University of Rostock:<\/b> \u201cHEDI embodies what modern universities can achieve: excellent research, strong partnerships, and the training of highly qualified professionals. The investment by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania enables the establishment of a research hub whose scientific work will be supported in the long term by the federal government and the Helmholtz Association. In doing so, we are strengthening Rostock as a center of international cutting-edge research and creating new opportunities for young talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof. Dominik Kraus, Founding Director of HEDI and Head of the Experiment Division:<\/b> \u201cHEDI opens up the opportunity for us to investigate scientific questions that were considered virtually inaccessible just a few years ago. Through the unique combination of theoretical expertise, state-of-the-art experiments, and large-scale international research facilities, we can unravel the properties of matter under extreme conditions. In doing so, we are not only contributing to basic research but also generating important knowledge for the development of future fusion power plants.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prof. Ronald Redmer, Founding Director of HEDI and Head of the Theory Division:<\/b> \u201cThe major challenges of fusion research can only be solved through a deep understanding of the properties of matter under extreme conditions. HEDI creates the scientific conditions necessary to answer precisely these questions. Together with our national and international partners, we will conduct basic research at the highest level in Rostock.\u201d<\/p>\n_ _ _ _ _
Media Contact<\/h3>\n
Simon Schmitt | Director and Press Spokesperson
Communications and Media Department at HZDR
Tel.: +49 351 260-3400 | Email: s.schmitt@hzdr.de<\/p>\n
Lea-Marie Kenzler | Deputy Press Spokesperson
Press and Communications Office at the University of Rostock
Phone: +49 381 498-1029 | +49 152 23 30 82 70
Email: lea-marie.kenzler@uni-rostock.de<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
June 18, 2026. The High Energy Density Initiative (HEDI) brings together scientific excellence across national borders and strengthens Germany\u2019s research in a key field of the future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[4818],"tags":[4834,1954],"class_list":["post-541387","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-microelectronics","tag-forschung-entwicklung-en","tag-research-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n