Laboratories
We provide students with a wealth of hands-on learning opportunities, featuring 35 laboratories where students can get first-hand experience in areas including digital signal processing, robotics, microelectronics and welding.
For information on lab safety, visit our guidelines page.
Take a virtual tour of our lab facilities!
Reserve Time in a Lab
We're protecting the pack! To protect yourself and your fellow students, faculty, and staff, you can use the labs but the number of students in each lab is limited. We've set up a reservation system. Click below to reserve a time in advance to use a lab. Please also review all our safety guidelines before using the labs. Questions? Contact lab manager Mike Reynolds at 815-753-2278.
Lab Directory
| Lab | Description | Faculty | Department/Category | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter Reliability Laboratory | The Baxter Reliability Laboratory is equipped to meet thermal, vibration and functional test requirements. The laboratory is equipped to handle a variety of product validation requirements, product robustness testing (HALT), electrical stress testing, and accelerated life testing. Additional Reliability functions provided include thermal analysis, reliability prediction and warranty calculations. | Donald Peterson, Ph.D. | Research and Service | Engineering Building, Room 265 |
| Biomedical Engineering | This lab supports the theory, analysis, and design of biomedical sensors. Projects include biological elements, immobilization of biological components, medical, biological, and chemical sensors and transducers based on electrochemistry, optics, and solid-state devices. | Venumadhav Korampally, Ph.D. | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 349 |
| Electrical Engineering Design Laboratory |
The EE Design Laboratory has 10 computers equipped with some state of the art software tools that can be used to design electrical engineering systems and circuits including:
The lab is also equipped with several NI training equipment and a T-Tech Quick Circuit HF prototyping machine. |
Donald Zinger, Ph.D. | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 341 |
| Digital Communications Laboratory |
This lab enhances learning via hands-on applications related to communications by exploring signals and systems, circuits, active and passive filters, Bode Plot, Fourier transforms, discrete time systems and two-port networks. |
Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 347 | |
| Digital Signal Processing Laboratory | Research emphasis is on real-time DSP applications. The projects being conducted in the lab are primarily based on active noise control (ANC) and active vibration control (AVC) systems. The lab is comprised of a diverse range of signal processing equipment, including a number of TMS320C5510 and TMS320C32x kits, spectrum analyzers, microphones, amplifiers, analog filters and power amplifiers. | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 147 | |
| Electrodynamics Laboratory |
The main emphasis of the electrodynamics laboratory is the conversion of electrical power into dynamic mechanical motion. However, the laboratory is set up to develop many aspects of electrical power conversion using electromechanical and power electronic methods. Students use this lab for the required Electrical Power Systems course. Projects that have used this laboratory relate to power electronic converters, electric drives and electronic lighting ballasts. One major concern is the conversion of power from alternative energy sources. |
Donald Zinger, Ph.D. | Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 307 |
| General Computer Laboratory | This lab is open to all engineering students for project work and Internet access. To utilize the computers in the Engineering Building, you must obtain either an "e" or "g" account number. To apply for your number, please visit the Associate Dean's Office, EB 331. You will receive your account number approximately 24 working hours after submitting an application. | Mei Chen (mchen@niu.edu) | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 125 |
| Integrated Circuit Design Laboratory | Developing technology to create a quiet environment for newborns in incubators and developing safe and non-intrusive monitoring embedded infant incubator ANC systems. | N/A | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 301 |
| Laboratory for Intelligent Networks and Systems | In this lab, research focuses on computer intelligence in future networks and smart services over intelligent networks. The general network architecture is Internet of Things, while big data analytics and data fusion based AI entities form the foundation of network managing algorithms and protocols. Application scenarios cover practical topics including vehicular networks, smart grid, e-Health systems, virtual reality and beings in networks, network security and privacy. | N/A | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 349A |
| Microelectronics Research and Development Laboratory | The Microelectronics Research and Development Laboratory (MRDL) is a teaching and research facility specializing in semiconductor and hybrid microelectronic device fabrication. The lab is comprised of 4200 sq. ft. of cleanroom space separated into six work areas. The areas are segregated by cleanliness levels required for fabrication equipment and processes. The fabrication equipment and processes are used in creating integrated circuits, sensors, discrete microelectronic devices and various other devices. | Ibrahim Abdel-Motaleb, Ph.D. and Venumadhav Korampally, Ph.D. | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 227 |
| Microwaves and Electromagnetics Laboratory |
The microwaves and electromagnetics laboratory is set up to pursue research on microwaves and RF engineering as well as aid teaching classes such as Antenna Design, Microwave Circuit Design, and Beam Instrumentation. The facility includes an anechoic chamber that can be used to perform antenna pattern measurements and EMC testing. Equipped with microwave training kits, antenna measurement setup, and computers with computational electromagnetics software tools, the laboratory helps students gain hands-on experience in design, simulation, fabrication and measurement of microwave circuit components. |
Veysel Demir, Ph.D. | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 309 |
| Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory |
This lab features control system modeling for electromechanical systems. Students may participate in time and frequency domain analysis and controller design. |
N/A | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 309 |
| Undergraduate Laboratory | This lab provides hands-on applications to enhance classroom knowledge for the following courses: Electronic Circuits (ELE 210), Computer Engineering I (ELE 250), Semiconductor Circuits (ELE 330), Computer Engineering II (ELE 356), Communications Systems (ELE 360), and Control Systems I (ELE 380), Power Systems (ELE 340). | N/A | Electrical Engineering | Engineering Building, Rooms 337 and 341 |
| Ergonomics Laboratory | This lab provides instruction and research on the principles of ergonomics for the understanding of human limitations and capabilities in man-machine systems. This understanding assists the industrial and systems engineer to design better and safer products and work places. | Ehsan Asoudegi, Ph.D. | Industrial and Systems Engineering | Engineering Building 272 |
| Lean Manufacturing Laboratory |
This lab provides instruction on the principles and tools of lean manufacturing through hands-on simulation games. |
Shi-Jie (Gary) Chen, Ph.D. | Industrial and Systems Engineering | Engineering Building 201 |
| Logistics Laboratory |
Supplies computer resources to support research and instruction for both graduate and undergraduate students. Micro-computers, computer workstations, and printers. A large collection of software for simulation, statistical analysis, factory layout and numerical computation. |
Reinaldo Moraga, Ph.D. | Industrial and Systems Engineering | Engineering Building 301 |
| Advanced Research of Material and Manufacturing Laboratory |
The Advanced Research of Material and Manufacturing Laboratory is part of the New, Emerging, & Advanced Technologies (NEAT) Manufacturing Solutions Center at Northern Illinois University's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology. The lab is home to any and all student organizations, projects, and research involving 3D printing or additive manufacturing. |
John Shelton, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 265 |
| CAD/CAM Laboratory |
This lab is equipped with software like PRO/ENGINEER and ANSYS and provides testing on CNC machines. Stations equipped with advanced mechanical software, CNC machines and CNC lathe. |
Iman Salehinia, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 231 |
| Omron Robotics and Mechatronics Laboratory | This lab supports classes and cutting-edge research. Students gravitate toward this area where they can explore everything from their senior design projects to building 6-legged robots in their spare time. This lab is well equipped with oscilloscopes, soldering stations and a Fanuc Robotic Manipulator. In this lab students from all reaches of engineering gain extensive experience not just learning advanced concepts but working alongside budding engineers from other disciplines. | Brianno Coller, Ph.D. and Ji Chu Ryu, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | |
| Fluid Dynamics Laboratory | This lab studies friction losses in pipe apparatus. It is equipped with different pipe sites in parallel loops, fittings, valves and flow meters and pressure gauges. A subsonic wind tunnel is equipped with instruments as well as Reynolds apparatus and hydraulic bench for determining laminar/turbulent flow conditions. | Nicholas Pohlman, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 254 |
| Heat and Mass Transfer Laboratory | This lab supports heat and mass transfer related research and classes. It is equipped with infra-red thermal imaging system, free and forced convection unit, refrigeration cycle machine, thermal conductivity measurement unit, boiling heat transfer unit, air conditioning unit and high energy laser machining unit. In addition, advanced simulation tools such as ANSYS and Fluent are available. | Kyu Taek Cho, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 254 |
| Materials Analysis Laboratory | Three testing machines: tensile, torsion and compression, all of which test a sample until failure occurs. Several microscopes and digital imaging systems help characterize the internal structure of materials. There are 6 student workstations for performing mechanical tests on materials. | Jenn-Terng Gau, Ph.D. | Mechanical Engineering | Engineering Building, Room 143B |
| Macro/Micro Manufacturing Laboratory |
The M3 Lab combines equipment available within the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology with cutting edge technology in macro/micro manufacturing to support local industry as well as develop the future leaders in the field. |
Mechanical Engineering | ||
| Automation Laboratory |
The Automation Laboratory features the latest technology in automation that affords students the opportunity to work hands-on with equipment, applying classroom-learned principles while acquiring real-world skills. In this laboratory, instruction is centered around the understanding of equipment application and use, as well as the important overriding need for integration of all components. This modern lab contains the following equipment:
|
Engineering Technology | ||
| Building Energy Efficiency, Ergonomics and Management (BEEEAM) Laboratory |
This laboratory focuses on three primary areas of research: human-centric intelligent building control systems, reconfigurable lighting tests and luminaire design and testing. |
Kevin Martin, Ph.D. | Engineering Technology | Still Gym 115 |
| Digital and Communications Systems Laboratory |
The laboratory facilitates various laboratory courses and research projects covering the areas of digital logic design, communication, microprocessor and microcontroller, FPGA and CPLD prototyping using VHDL, digital signal processing, system modeling and simulation, and mechatronics. There are a number of workstations that are used for laboratory classes. Each workstation is equipped with a PC, oscilloscopes, function generators, spectrum analyzer, microprocessor and microcontroller boards, application board, FPGA prototyping board, and power supplies. The PCs are loaded with Windows 10, Multisim, Matlab, LabVIEW, Xilinx Web pack for VHDL, Embedded studio, MS Office and AutoCAD. In addition, there are few more workstations with computers which are used for projects. |
Liping Guo, Ph.D. | Engineering Technology | Still Hall 204 |
| Fluids Applications Laboratory |
This lab supports the Fluids course (Tech 326) Equipment:
|
Mahdi Vaezi, Ph.D. | Engineering Technology | Still Gym 115 |
| Electronics Laboratory |
The Electronics Laboratory is mainly used for teaching basic circuits and electronics. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art digital power supplies, oscilloscopes, function generators, multimeters, and RLC meters. A 1 kW solar power system is installed on the roof of the Engineering Technology Department for education purposes. A solar power inverter converts the output voltage from the solar panel into AC voltage and provides energy to the lab. Students can observe and record the output voltage, current and power of the solar panel online in real time through a data monitoring device. The Electronics Laboratory also has a solar power trainer and wind power trainer. The solar power trainer is used to let students experiment with solar panels under different irradiation and angle, connect solar modules in series and parallel, charge batteries, and learn off-grid and grid-parallel photovoltaic systems. The wind trainer lets students learn about wind power plant components, the operation of doubly-fed induction generators, and the operation of wind power plants. |
Liping Guo, Ph.D. | Engineering Technology | |
| Machining Technology Laboratory |
This lab's equipment includes:
|
Engineering Technology | Still Hall 5C | |
| Metrology Laboratory |
The metrology laboratory has been developed to instruct the students in the art and science of measurement. This lab includes the following measurement equipment:
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|
Engineering Technology | Still Hall 6 |
| Numerical Machining Laboratory |
In addition to the following equipment, the department is using SURF-CAM Software:
|
Engineering Technology | ||
| Plastics Laboratory |
Students in the Department of Technology plastics area use the software Moldflow to study to the molding process. They also use the following equipment:
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Engineering Technology | Still Gym 212 | |
| Power Systems Lab | The Power Systems Lab stresses student familiarity and experience with electrically-operated equipment and devices and the wide variety and use of electric motors, generators, speed drive control, transformers and electrical power distribution. | Engineering Technology | ||
| Rapid Prototyping Laboratory |
The Rapid Prototyping Laboratory features the latest technology in Prototyping and reverses engineering that affords students the opportunity to work hands-on with equipment, applying classroom-learned principles while acquiring real-world skills. In this laboratory, instruction is centered on the understanding of equipment application and use, as well as the important overriding need for integration of all components. In addition, students utilize Computer-Aided-Design and 3D modeling concepts, as well as advanced Metrology concepts to develop and construct new designs. This lab contains the following equipment:
|
Engineering Technology | ||
| Welding Laboratory |
Equipment includes:
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Engineering Technology | Still Gym 115 |
Contact Us
College of Engineering and Engineering TechnologyEngineering Building
590 Garden Rd, DeKalb, IL
815-753-1442
ceet@niu.edu
