SHU Makerspace
The IDEA Lab (short for Innovate | Design | Engineer | Apply Lab) is the central hub for SHU’s Engineering programs and a collaborative space open to the entire university community. Designed for transdisciplinary innovation, the lab supports projects across engineering, business, the arts, health sciences, and more.
Spanning 11,000 square feet, the lab features over 18 3D printers (including FormLabs, Gigabot, Ultimaker, and Prusa) supporting everything from rapid prototyping to commercial-grade production. The fully equipped digital fabrication suite includes CNC routers, Epilog laser cutters/engravers, a ProtoMax waterjet cutter, and the capability to support in-house fabrication of custom PCBs.
The electronics section enables hands-on circuit design and programming using breadboards, soldered PCBs, and microcontrollers. It is also equipped with high-end Tektronix and Keithley instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, LCR meters, function generators, spectrum analyzers, power supplies, and high-resolution multimeters
The lab also offers:
- A 24-seat instructional classroom with electronic testing stations used for computer science and engineering instruction and lab classes.
- A metal and woodworking area with digitally controlled systems and manual control tools (for those familiar with working that way and who prefer manual operations).
- Several breakouts and conference rooms for team collaboration, project meetings, or group gatherings.
- A characterization lab with chemical processing capabilities and Nikon optical/stereo microscopes.
Open to all SHU students, the IDEA Lab is where creativity meets cutting-edge technology. Visit the IDEA Lab website to learn more.