Science
for
Future Energy

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Welcome to DIFFER

Our mission is to perform fundamental research on materials, processes, and systems for a global sustainable energy infrastructure. We host unique user facilities for energy and materials research.

News & events

Marco de Baar appointed for second term as DIFFER director: “Connection at an early stage accelerates…

Marco de Baar in the control room of DIFFER

Sidestepping physics to run fusion power plants

EUROfusion schematic diagram of fusion power plant

AMOLF, CWI, and DIFFER launch HELIOS project with NWO-I funding

HELIOS kick-off meeting at AMOLF on 23 May

Rijnhuizen Reünie 2025: 10-10-10

Kasteel Rijnhuizen
Oct 10th - Event
October 10, 2025

DIFFER Seminar: Inorganic nanomaterials from the gas phase - on the way to high…

Prof. Dr. Hartmut Wiggers
Nov 6th - Seminar
November 06, 2025
Research

Fusion Energy & Chemical Energy research

At DIFFER, we are carrying out groundbreaking fundamental research on energy. Our research focuses on two major energy themes: research into fusion energy as a clean, safe and sustainable energy source and research into chemical energy. Click below for more information about one of these research themes.

Facilities

Research facilities

Our facilities for Fusion Energy and Chemical Energy research are designed and operated by an experienced team of researchers and engineers. DIFFER’s world class facility Magnum-PSI is the only laboratory in the world that can investigate materials under the extreme heat and particle loads that will exist in future fusion reactors. View our facilities in the virtual tour.

Magnum-PSI
Magnum-PSI facility
Ion Beam Facility
Ion Beam Facility
Chemical Energy Labs
Chemical Energy Labs
Working at

Working in multidisciplinary teams

DIFFER believes that the performance of excellent research thrives on a balanced work force. We want to create an environment where everyone feels at home and can bring out the best in themselves.

Our network

Collaboration partners

We cannot realise sustainable and relevant energy solutions by ourselves. DIFFER works together with researchers from companies, universities, knowledge and research institutions in the Netherlands and abroad. We share our knowledge and we jointly elaborate our ideas and test systems so that these can eventually be used commercially on a large scale.

Logo ITER
Logo Aarhus University
Logo EUROfusion
Logo TU Eindhoven
Logo KIT
Logo Brightlands
Logo FZ Jülich
Logo TU Delft
Logo University of Twente