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The mission of DIFFER

The Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER) is one of the three research institutes of the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). FOM is part of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

 

DIFFER’s mission is to perform leading fundamental research in the fields of fusion energy and solar fuels, in close partnership with academia and industry. The institute aims to play leading role in coordinating and facilitating energy research in the Netherlands. DIFFER is a key part of the FOM and NWO energy research strategies. It pursues four equally important goals to achieve its mission:

 

  • DIFFER performs fundamental energy research and trains graduate and undergraduate students and technicians in the fields of fusion energy and solar fuels.
  • The institute designs, develops and operates the high-quality technical infrastructure and large scale experimental equipment needed to enable the large scale experimentel equipment for novel research on solar fuels and for its fusion research.
  • DIFFER aims to acquire a national coordinating role in fundamental energy research, joining together the existing research initiatives in the Netherlands into one coherent national research program. DIFFER strives for potential industrial applications and increased valorisation of energy research.
  • The institute will set up strategic collaborations and joint research programs with universities and Large Technological Institutes (LTI’s).

Research at DIFFER

DIFFER focuses on two research themes: solar fuels and fusion. By converting intermittent renewable energy into chemical fuels, solar fuels address the global challenge of energy storage and transport. The institute has an excellent opportunity to make major contributions to this field via a plasma-chemical route. Six new solar fuels group leaders in tenure track positions will be actively scouted among talented young researchers. DIFFER will pursue a balanced gender ratio in the staff, in line with FOM’s "20 in 2020" strategy.

 

DIFFER’s two fusion research programs are both high priority areas within the international ITER program. The unique high-flux plasma generator Magnum-PSI enables studies of plasma-surface interactions at plasma facing components under future fusion reactor conditions. Research into the control of burning plasmas, in particular of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes, aims at developing pertinent physics, diagnostics and technologies for ITER.

Spin-out of research

The division Generation and Use of TeraHertz radiation (GUTHz) will relocate to the Radboud University Nijmegen at the start of 2013. The successful Extreme UV multilayer optics research is expected to have equally good opportunities outside DIFFER. The institute will facilitate its relocation to a suitable research environment.

National coordinating role

The course to DIFFER’s national coordinating role in fundamental energy research will be charted by a Council for Energy Research, consisting of key players representing Dutch academic and industrial energy research. They will identify and stimulate new (inter-)national cooperation. The Council for Energy Research will include representatives from the focus groups on fundamental energy research which FOM will install within Dutch universities or institutes. Two focus groups were already installed in the beginning of 2011. A center of excellence on IP management will advise DIFFER and the focus groups regarding Intellectual Property, knowledge transfer and valorization, maintaining the patent portfolio and developing a clear vision on promoting start-up companies.

Relocation to Eindhoven University of Technology campus

In 2015 DIFFER will relocate to the campus of the TU/e (Eindhoven University of Technology). The new facilities will provide for an optimum research environment. The relocation is also instrumental in intensifying the collaborations with universities and acquiring a national coordinating role in fundamental energy research. This includes joint research programming, the exchange and training of students, the cross appointment of staff and active stimulation of concerted energy education by means of the development of courses by DIFFER’s staff.