A brass ball hovers above a spiral-shaped periodic table of elements (Foucault pendulum above periodic table according to Benfey).

Chemistry meets Physics - Physics meets Chemistry

Our mission: To perform world-leading fundamental research on the properties of materials, working at the boundaries of solid state chemistry and condensed matter physics.
 
Entrance area of the institute: Steps lead to a glass front that extends the full height of the building, with a small canopy and a column bearing the institute's name. The rest of the building can be seen in the background behind a large tree. In the foreground is a red-coloured brick wall.

Chemistry meets Physics - Physics meets Chemistry

Our mission : The core scientific goal of MPI-CPfS is to work at the forefront of modern solid state chemistry and physics.  Particular emphasis is placed on the boundary between the two fields.  Major open questions studied include understanding the interplay of topology and symmetry in modern materials, maximising the level of control in material synthesis, understanding the nature of the chemical bond in intermetallic compounds and studying giant response functions at the borderline of standard metallic and superconducting behaviour.  This fundamental research lays the foundations for future work on applications.
View of the thin-film laboratory. A complex (metallic) system consisting of high-vacuum components and experimental units can be seen.

Chemistry meets Physics - Physics meets Chemistry

Our mission: To perform world-leading fundamental research on the properties of materials, working at the boundaries of solid state chemistry and condensed matter physics.
 
The Max Planck Society logo with the Ukrainian flag.

Help for Ukraine

Programs of the MPS and the MPI CPfS supporting scientists from Ukraine

News

Events

A collection of spherical objects in various colours and sizes, including yellow, green and blue, on a blue background.
1st symposium on Research network on spintronic materials and devices for the sustainable society (SpinMaD).
It will take place on 27 and 28 November 2025 at the MP CPfS.

Departments of the Institute

Microscopic image showing nanowires and contacts in purple and blue, connected by flexible conductors, scale bar 50 µm.
Andrew P. Mackenzie

Career

Dragon boat on the Elbe, team members wearing orange T-shirts
The institute strives to create career advancement for all employees while at the same time placing strong emphasis on the career and personal advancement of junior scientists.
Word cloud with terms related to equality.
The local gender equality officers are elected for four years by the employees of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids. According to the MPGs’ working council agreement, they are committed to gender equality and gender sensititvity. Find more informations here.
Three-part signpost with balance, life, work against a blue sky with white clouds.
In 2018 the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science received the Work-Life Balance Certificate for the fifth time (after 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015). The quality seal from the company berufundfamilie GmbH is valid for three years and honors family friendly employers.

Films


Aerial view of the two neighbouring MPis on Nöthnitzer Strasse.

The Dresden Max Planck Institutes

Video September 14, 2018
Hand on a control panel

MRS Spring and Autumn Meeting 2018

Video April 17, 2018
The research at the MPI CPfS was presented at the MRS Spring Meeting 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, and MRS Fall Meeting 2018 in Boston, USA.
collage of film scenes - 16 pictures

Corporate Film about the Institute

Video August 30, 2011
Go to Editor View