Where Engineering Comes to Life
Hands-on learning is at the core of the Cal Poly engineering experience. Across specialized labs, students design, build, test and refine solutions — gaining practical skills and real-world experience in disciplines ranging from materials and fluids to electronics and automation.
Aerospace Engineering Labs
| Lab | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Department Lecture Room | 192-321 | This classroom is used for large lectures such as AERO 220, 299, and 300. The tables are equipped with wheels which allow for easy configuration to promote group collaboration. |
| Undergraduate Lab | 192-322 | This state of the art classroom is used primarily for our labs such as AERO 215 and 465. It allows for more group work and collaboration amongst students for project work. |
| Conference Room | 41A-122 | |
| Cal Poly Aerospace Low Speed Wind Tunnel Lab | 41B-139 | Cal Poly’s Low Speed Wind Tunnel gives students hands-on experience testing and analyzing aerodynamic performance using advanced instrumentation and flow visualization techniques. In this facility, students design experiments, collect real data and refine models — building the skills used in aerospace, automotive and emerging flight industries. |
| Propulsion Lab | 41C-144 | With labs in turbine engine-performance and solid and hybrid rocket nozzle design, students get a hands-on experience in propulsion techniques for both air and space vehicles. |
| Space Environments and Testing Lab | 41B-137 | Multiple vacuum chambers let students learn about and study various aspects of the space environment, and test components in a realistic manner. |
| Structures Lab | 41B-136 | In the Structures and Composites Lab, students test materials, analyze structural performance and manufacture composite components using industry-standard equipment. Through hands-on experiments and industry-sponsored projects, they gain real-world experience in materials testing, vibration analysis and aerospace manufacturing. |
| Computational Fluid Dynamics Lab | 07-11 | Research into algorithms associated with Computational Fluid Dynamics and their application to atmospheric flight. |
| Spectroscopy/Space Systems Lab | 41A-211 | |
| Space Robotics and Simulation | 07-19 | |
| CubeSat/PolySat Lab | 192-101 | This world renowned program is central to the development of nano-sats. Several satellites currently flying in space are controlled from this lab. |
| CubeSat Operations Lab | 07-15 | |
| Aircraft Design Lab | 192-327 | This classroom is used for AERO 443, 444, and 445, the Aircraft Design Laboratories. |
| Spacecraft Design Lab | 192-323 | This classroom is used for AERO 447, 448, and 449, the Spacecraft Design Laboratories. |
| Graduate Student Lounge | 41-121 | Graduate students only - a place for graduates to work on research and thesis writing. |
Biomedical Engineering Labs
| Lab | Location | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Instrumentation Facility | The mission of the advanced instrumentation lab is to provide support to other labs in biomedical engineering. This includes expertise in sample preparation for nano- and micro-indentation, scanning electron microscopy, undecalcified hard tissue histology, as well as performing advanced analysis and characterization of natural and engineering biomaterials. Equipment includes a Hitachi S-800 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, Bioquant Nova, Micromaterials Microtest 600, Buehler precision diamond saw, Anatech Sputter coater, and metallographic polishing and cold-mount capability. | |
| Biofluidics Lab | ATL, St. Jude Lab | The Biofludics laboratory focuses on biofluids characterization, microfluidics and Bio-MEMS. The biofluids side of the laboratory is equipped with a capillary rheometer, Osmotic pressure meter and a fluid properties characterization meter (conductivity, ionic strength, pH and dissolved gasses). The microfluidics side of the laboratory is equipped with two microfluidic test stations. Each microfluidic test station has a LabSmith video microscope and three Harvard apparatus Plus 11 syringe pumps. In addition to these capabilities, we have a LabSmith DC power supply, Tektronix signal function generator, and 4 high end workstations for design and analysis, one of which is equipped with National Instruments capabilities to perform Impedance sensing and AC-signal function generation. Students design, manufacture and model microfluidic chips. Additionally, students prepare and characterize reagents and conduct microfluidic experiments. |
| Biomedical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation Laboratory (BIB Lab) | The vision of the Biomedical Imaging and Bioinstrumentation Laboratory is to develop novel instrumentation incorporating imaging technologies to probe and understand biological systems on the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. This laboratory concentrates on applications in biology and medicine and offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to be involved in projects applying imaging and bioinstrumentation to diagnosis of disease. The laboratory is currently under development and, in the future, will have the ability to perform confocal microscopy, optical coherence microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and other optical techniques. Current research areas of interest in the lab include optical biopsy, cancer detection, creation of multi-modal instrumentation, and noninvasive monitoring devices providing diagnostic information. | |
| Biomedical Materials Characterization (BioMAC) Laboratory | The mission of the BioMAC Lab is to characterize mechanical performance of both natural and engineered materials. Primary interests and expertise are associated with fracture, fatigue, static strength, and mechanical properties. Projects include application of engineering principles to characterize natural materials, micro-indentation, nano-indentation, fatigue of orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery devices, micro-fracture toughness, and stent testing. Equipment includes a Bose SmartTest SP, Bose Enduratec 3200, Instron Inspec 2200, and a Micromaterials Microtest 600. | |
| Electrophysiology and Neural Electronics Laboratory (ENEL) | ATL, St. Jude Lab | In the Electrophysiology and Neural Electronics Laboratory, students model and study neural systems, combining biology and electronics to better understand how the nervous system functions. Through simulation and hands-on experiments, they explore neural signaling, develop diagnostic techniques and contribute to advances in medicine and bioengineering. |
| In Vitro Systems Laboratory | 41-209 | The objective of the In Vitro Systems Lab is to allow students and faculty to design, build, and evaluate in vitro systems for a variety of applications. These systems can be used to cultivate living tissue models for device and therapeutic evaluation, to create an environment for the production and harvest of cellular products, or to mimic geometries and conditions found in living organisms. This facility centers on the development and implementation of components necessary for creating in vitro systems. Biologic and synthetic polymeric scaffolds are synthesized and utilized, bioreactor systems are designed and built to meet specific criteria, samples are prepared for post-cultivation evaluation, and conditions such as flow and pressure are controlled and measured. |
| Microcirculation and Vascular Regeneration Laboratory | 38-134 | The mission of our lab is to advance biomedical understanding while educating future generations of scientists and engineers, providing students with opportunities to learn by creating knowledge and ideas. Our primary objective is to understand the impact of vascular disease on blood flow control, which we hope will provide the foundation for advanced therapeutics to improve vascular health. |
| Mobile Biomechanics Lab | 52-D17 | The Motion Biomechanics Lab conducts biomechanical analyses of human motion to determine joint loads and motion. Current focus areas include measuring balance, gait, and spine biomechanics using wearable sensors such as smartphones, smartwatches, and inertial measurement units (IMUs). The lab is also equipped with a complete motion analysis system with 12 motion capture cameras, ground force plates, several exercise machines instrumented with load cells, EMG sensors, and inverse dynamics analysis software. This equipment is used to validate our lab’s mobile methods. |
| St. Jude Bio-Engineering Laboratory | ATL | The focus of this facility is the design, development, construction, and testing of instruments for direct clinical and commercial application. Key thrust areas include bioinstrumentation, medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics, bio-remediation, prosthetic robotics and microbial interaction with materials. |
| TECHE - Transforming Engineers Through Hands-On Engagement | 192-130 | This lab is devoted to generating and fostering innovations that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. We focus on engineering-driven projects that address challenges that people face in today’s world, using engineering and computing expertise to improve the human experience. The lab provides students with an excellent opportunity to develop unique solutions for health problems faced by people with disabilities and perform hands-on work while making a difference in someone’s life. We serve a wide range of individuals and community members seeking assistive technology solutions. |
| Tissue Analysis Laboratory | 197-209 | The objective of the Tissue Analysis Laboratory is to provide the tools for students and faculty to evaluate tissues at the structural, cellular, and molecular level. The Tissue Analysis facility centers around core competencies in the areas of histological evaluation and gene expression analysis. Histology protocols include sectioning and staining to assess tissue morphology and cellular phenotypes. Gene expression analysis involves nucleic acid isolation, amplification, and quantification in order to determine the molecular characteristics of cells and tissues. This facility currently contains multiple fume hoods, a rotary microtome for histology, PCR thermocyclers, a gel imaging station, and electrophoresis chambers. |
| Tissue Engineering Laboratory | 41-209A | The objective of the Tissue Engineering Laboratory is to provide an aseptic and controlled environment for the culture of cells and the creation of living tissue engineered constructs. The Tissue Engineering Laboratory facility is a site for working with living systems. The facility is focused on the ability to culture and maintain cells and tissues in flasks, bioreactor chambers, and other in vitro environments. Maintaining proper conditions for cells, tissues, and reagents is accomplished with a biological safety cabinet, dedicated cell and tissue incubators, and other equipment housed in this lab. The cell incubator is used to culture a variety of cell types in flasks and dishes, while the large tissue incubator can house pumps and bioreactor systems for tissue cultivation. |
Electrical Engineering Labs
| Lab | Location | Descriptions |
|---|---|---|
| Keysight Technologies Advanced Communications Systems Lab | 20-113 | The Keysight Technologies Sponsored Advanced Communication Systems Laboratory (ACSL) is in building 20 room 113. Companion coursework and labwork are being introduced to utilize this new ACSL facility. This lab is complementary to our highly successful RF, and microwave engineering laboratory next door in 20-116. The EE department strives to give our students a superior communications systems laboratory experience as the industry moves from 4G systems to 5G wireless systems over the next decade. This laboratory fulfills a dual mission of providing both dedicated teaching and research space. We also strive to partner with the Cube-Sat laboratory at Cal Poly in order to improve communication link data rates for small satellites. |
| Antenna Anechoic Chamber Lab | 04-113 | The Cal Poly EE Department operates a microwave-band Antenna Anechoic Chamber to complement coursework and projects in the antennas and RF (radio frequency) area. Wireless communications systems continue to experience substantial growth. Cell phones, personal data assistants, and wireless internet connections (wireless fidelity or WI-FI) are now commonly used. These high-technology applications require continuous wireless system advancements; hence, qualified wireless communications, RF/microwave, and antenna engineers are in great demand. |
| Computer Engineering Research | 20-114 | This research space is dedicated to topics associated with computer engineering and computer applications. Current topics include virtual reality applications. |
| IEEE Collaboration Laboratory | 20-115 | Room 20-115 is headquarters for the IEEE student branch collaboration laboratory. This laboratory offers an extensive set of electronic components that students can purchase for their projects. It also serves as a general purpose laboratory where students can develop projects outside of the dedicated teaching laboratory schedule. The IEEE student branch is also a key gathering spot for Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering students. |
| Electric Circuits and Electronics Laboratories | 20-146 | These are our highest usage introductory laboratories. Each station includes two oscilloscopes, two function generators, two bench digital multimeters, two handheld multimeters, two programmable power supplies, a source meter, and a system control computer. Its overall needs are versatility and generality, in view of the many basic courses it needs to serve. In EE 413, students design automated test subsystems and systems using a PC and GPIB laboratory instruments. They learn how to program a PC to act as a GPIB controller, to design, build, and test various subassemblies to augment the instruments, and to acquire and process data. |
| Basic Circuits And Research Area | 20-147 | This is one of our highest usage introductory laboratories. This lab has 9 stations, and each station includes one oscilloscope, two function generators, two bench digital multimeters, one handheld multimeter, two programmable power supplies, a source meter, a digital bridge, and a system control computer. This lab is also equipped with a rack of test leads that are required for lab activities. Its overall needs are versatility and generality, in view of the many basic courses it needs to serve. In EE 413, students design automated test subsystems and systems using a PC and GPIB laboratory instruments. They learn how to program a PC to act as a GPIB controller, to design, build, and test various subassemblies to augment the instruments, and to acquire and process data. For the easy illustration of material, a digital projector and screen are also available for students and faculty to use. |
| Electric Circuits and Electronics Laboratories | 20-148, 149 | This is one of our highest usage introductory laboratories. This lab has 9 stations, and each station includes one oscilloscope, two function generators, two bench digital multimeters, one handheld multimeter, two programmable power supplies, a source meter, a digital bridge, and a system control computer. This lab is also equipped with a rack of test leads that are required for lab activities. Its overall needs are versatility and generality, in view of the many basic courses it needs to serve. In EE 413, students design automated test subsystems and systems using a PC and GPIB laboratory instruments. They learn how to program a PC to act as a GPIB controller, to design, build, and test various subassemblies to augment the instruments, and to acquire and process data. For the easy illustration of material, a digital projector and screen are also available for students and faculty to use. |
| Capstone Lab | 20-145 | This room offers a project-based learning space for Electrical, and Computer Engineering seniors. Students learn about product development, and entrepreneurship first-hand. Clients come present their needs for their projects and students get to use their expertise to craft a solution. |
| Computational Intelligence Lab | 20-144 | The computational intelligence lab is a shared facility co-located with the Microgrid laboratory in 20-101. This lab also serves as headquarters for CPES, and as it can be seen in the pictures above, this lab has been turned into an escape room. |
| Computer Design Lab | 20-136 | The Computer-Aided Design Laboratory is a flexible teaching studio classroom with 30 stations each equipped with its own all-in-one computer and monitor. This allows each station to serve both as a laboratory or project center for individual computer-based design projects; as well as an unobstructed desk space for lecture classes. Thus, this room is employed for courses with individual computer-aided design projects (as opposed to team projects); although two students per workstation can be accommodated if needed. The room also features 9 full functionality lab stations equipped with oscilloscopes, programmable power supplies, Function Generators and digital multimeters. This room is also equipped with audio and video equipment suitable for using this room as a remote learning classroom; showing live streaming course content originating from a remote site. |
| Controls Lab | 20-112 | This laboratory serves our basic lecture courses in systems and controls, introducing students to a variety of concepts in signal analysis, servo control, open and closed loop system analysis, compensator design, and state variable feedback. Digital control system analysis and design are also taught, with an emphasis on linear discrete-time systems, robotics, electromechanical systems, and advanced nonlinear discrete-time controls. Many senior projects and special projects are also supported in this facility. Special test apparatus in this facility is the Motomatic Control Systems Laboratory (MCSL), which has been extensively modified to accommodate additional experimental configurations. For the Microprocessor Controls laboratory course EE/CPE 432, the MCSL control console is replaced by a microprocessor control system, including two analog inputs, two analog outputs, and a digital shaft encoder. This fully integrated environment for electromechanical system analysis and design is constantly being improved and developed by faculty and staff. The room is also equipped with a Foosball table to allow students to blow off steam between lab sessions. Our outdoor laboratory has a ping pong table. |
| Digital Signal/Image Processing/Freshman Projects | 20-126 | This is the digital signal processing laboratory. There are 12 lab stations and 25 chairs in the room. This allows for studio format delivery of the curriculum. In the fall quarter, this laboratory is used by our freshmen class. These freshmen build robots from scratch and then have an internal design competition. The First year orientation class also provides a general introduction to running and theory of electronic test and measurement equipment. This laboratory is well equipped with instrumentation primarily purchased in 2013 using Alumni-supplied funding. We purchased all of the equipment from Agilent Technologies (now Keysight Technologies). The laboratory has 200 MHz oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, two bench digital multimeters, handheld digital multimeters, function generators, and programmable power supplies. All of the instruments are controlled by computer automation. In the winter quarter, this laboratory hosts our digital signal processing laboratory using Texas Instruments development boards. This laboratory also serves as the meeting place for the Amateur Radio Club on Thursday evenings every other week. |
| Digital Systems Design Lab | 20-100 | Room 100 is one of three digital systems design labs in the Electrical Engineering Department. We teach our digital design curriculum (EE/CPE133 – Introduction to Digital Design, EE/CPE233 – Computer Design and Assembly Language Programming, and EE/CPE 329 – Microprocessor System Design) in these labs which are required courses for both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering majors. These labs also support our graduate courses in computer systems (EE 521, EE522, and EE523) and our technical electives in the computers technical area (EE 428- Computer Vision and EE 439- Real-Time Operating Systems and VLSI Design EE431), making these labs some of the most utilized for the department’s teaching needs each quarter. The open layout of these labs promotes teaching in a ‘studio’ format where lectures and labs are combined in a common meeting time. The ‘studio’ format augments Cal Poly’s "Learn By Doing" philosophy as the courses are structured to allow students to spend more time doing experiments and problem sets rather than passively listening to lectures. The labs are equipped with Digilent Basys 3 FPGA boards for EE/CPE 133 and 233, but students will need to purchase TI MSP 432 boards for EE/CPE 329. A full set of Electronic Test and Measurement equipment is available at each station. |
| EE Student Project Lab | 20-111 | |
| EE Helpdesk and Technical Support Lab | 20-106 | The Electrical Engineering Department Technical Support Laboratory provides support for all laboratories offered by the EE Department, including both EE and CPE Programs. Two full-time electronic and computer technicians and a variable number of trained student assistants work in this facility, and in all supported instructional laboratories. The facility also houses several Linux and Microsoft Exchange servers, which provide the software application support, web services, and system management services for all faculty and laboratories in the Department. |
| ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Chamber Lab | 04-112 | The Cal Poly EE Department operates the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratory (UHF band) for student projects and pre-qualification EMC characterization including radiated and conducted emissions, and radiated susceptibility and immunity testing. All electronic equipment must meet EMC standards, including the above mentioned measurements, prior to product release to the general public. These tests must be performed by a certified laboratory; however, multiple test sessions while developing potential shielding solutions may be cost-prohibitive. The Cal Poly EMC chamber offers local companies an alternative to certified-chamber testing while developing EMC shielding solutions for their products and involving EE students in solution development and testing. |
| Embedded Systems Lab | 20-132 | Room 132 is one of three digital systems design labs. We teach our digital design curriculum (EE/CPE 133 – Introduction to Digital Design, EE/CPE 233 – Computer Design and Assembly Language Programming, and EE/CPE 329 – Microprocessor System Design) in these labs which are required courses for both Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering majors. These labs also support our graduate courses in computer systems (EE 521, EE522, and EE523), and our technical electives in the computers technical area (EE 428- Computer vision, EE 439 Real-Time Operating Systems and VLSI design EE431), making these labs some of the most heavily utilized for the department’s teaching needs each quarter. The open layout of these labs promotes teaching in a ‘studio’ format where lectures and labs are combined in a common meeting time. The ‘studio’ format augments Cal Poly’s "Learn By Doing" philosophy as the courses are structured to allow students to spend more time doing experiments and problem sets rather than passively listening to lectures. The labs are equipped with Digilent Basys 3 FPGA boards for EE/CPE 133 and EE/CPE 233, but TI MSP432 for EE/CPE 329 must be purchased for themselves. |
| Energy Conversion Lab | 20-102 | 20-102 is headquarters for our Electric Power Systems Undergraduate Teaching activities. This is a really impressive facility. When you walk in the door, you will first notice the large patch panel that brings in AC power from PG+E at a range of voltages including single and 3 phase formats. You will also see 8 well equipped benches ready to teach you about the exciting field of Electric Power Systems. Our department strategic plan indicates this field of study has huge employment opportunties as we move away from fossil fuels and move toward renewable energy resources. 20-102 is interconnected to our 4 other Electric Power System laboratories (20-101, 20-104, 20-150 and the outdoor power system lab) with a building low voltage distribution system. Room 20-102 is equipped with AC (240V, 208V, 120V) three- and single-phase voltages and a motor-generator set that produces DC (120V , 240V) voltages. These voltage sources are distributed to eight benches. Each bench is equipped with three-phase digital power meter, six 35Ω resistors, and a three-phase variac. Each bench comes with three single-phase transformers, three-phase induction motor, single-phase induction motor, three-phase synchronous motor/generator, and a DC motor.Room 20-102 services a sophomore lab for majors and non-majors (EE 295), and two senior labs for power majors (EE 417 and EE 444). |
| Student Project Lab and Outdoor Lab Access | 20-118 | This facility is a general purpose Project Laboratory (20-111) and is intended to support students developing projects. A full suite of test and measurement equipment is available at all stations. Students also use this as a common study area room when not in classes. 20-118 provides access to our department's 2500 square foot outdoor design space. The outdoor design space provides an area where large project can be developed. It also provides a location with access to the sun (such as solar energy projects). This outdoor maker space has work benches and access to hand and power tools (with proper safety training). |
| Graduate Lab | 20-121 | |
| Multidisciplinary Projects Lab | 20-131 | This laboratory is dedicated to faculty member research cubicles and offices. Please contact a faculty member if you need access to this space for your resarch projects. |
| Photonics Lab | 20-134, 135 | In the Photonics Lab, students design and test fiber optic and optical systems using modern instrumentation and data acquisition tools. Through hands-on experiments and research, they gain experience in high-speed optoelectronics, communications and imaging technologies. |
| Polymer Electronics Lab | 20-105 | The semiconducting polymer lab allows engineering and science students to make and characterize semiconducting polymer devices. Semiconducting polymers permit students to learn about semiconductor concepts and fabrication more efficiently, economically, and safely than present techniques based on conventional materials. Semiconducting polymer devices are becoming an essential undergraduate topic today. |
| Power Electronics Lab | 20-104 | The power electronics lab at Cal Poly is aimed to accommodate the instructional laboratory activities for power electronic courses offered at this university. The lab facilitates faculty and students who are conducting research, theses, and industry sponsored projects in power converters in particular and electrical energy conversion in general. In addition, the lab has been used to accommodate for technical workshop in power electronics. Currently, the lab houses a total of 8 benches consisting of 6 instructional lab benches and 2 senior project/thesis benches. |
| Power Senior Project Lab/Remote Tech Group/Electric Power Institute | 20-101 | Room 101 is the center for the research activities associated with the power engineering program. It also houses the Electric Power Institute. The room provides various voltage levels, and instrumentation needed for power-related graduate and undergraduate projects, including master theses, and senior projects. There are three test benches protected with fuses and circuit breakers. |
| Research/Projects/ElectroChemical Engineering Lab | 20-130 | The 20-130 is a department open-access research/projects laboratory. |
| RF Microwave Lab | 20-116 | In the RF and Microwave Lab, students design, build and test high-frequency systems using industry-standard equipment for communications, radar and signal transmission. Through hands-on projects — including constructing a working radar system — they gain practical experience in wireless technologies and advanced electronics. |
| Sustainable Energy Lab | 20-150 | This is the home of our renewable energy and power systems project laboratory. This laboratory includes photovoltaic training equipment. It also hosts our power systems CAD software stations. This laboratory is part of our evolving advanced power systems laboratory. |
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Labs
| Lab | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Computer Aided Design Lab | 41-108 | |
| Netshape / Foundry Lab | 41-101 | |
| Metrology Lab | 41-110 | |
| Gene Haas Advanced Material Removal Lab | 41-107 | |
| Gene Haas Advanced Machine Lab | 41-111 | |
| Welding Lab | 41-106 | |
| George Hoffman Industrial Systems Design Lab | 192-220 | |
| Ergonomics and Human Factors Lab | 192-237 | |
| Viasat Projects Lab | 192-240 | |
| Electronics Design and Manufacturing Lab | 192-104 | |
| IME Student Collaboration Center | 192-222 |
Mechanical Engineering Labs
| Lab | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Bently Pressurized Bearings CAD Lab | 13-107 | In the CAD Lab, students design and analyze parts and products using industry-standard engineering software on dedicated workstations. With hands-on access to advanced tools, they develop and refine digital models used in real-world mechanical design. |
| HP Design Studios | 192-120, 192-131, 192-134 | Design and selection of machine elements (bearings, gears, fasteners, springs, etc.) is emphasized in the design course sequence. Some system synthesis is also practiced. ME Students have 24-hour card swipe access to the Design Studios with their Calpoly id card. |
| Composites Laboratory | 192-135 | Lightweight materials are becoming more and more prevalent in automotive applications and other transportation fields as we continue to increase efficiency. Our composites lab gives students first-hand experience in designing, building, and testing composite parts. Lab projects involve fabricating and testing composite specimens, and designing, fabricating, and verification testing of simple structures. Most data is acquired by a PC-based data acquisition system. |
| Engine Laboratory | 13-126 | "The Engine Laboratory at Cal Poly is continuously being upgraded through the generous support of the Honeywell Corporation. The current focus is to prepare the laboratory for a potential shift toward automotive research. A series of senior projects, graduate theses, and student club activities allow students to further develop the lab for instructional use, and to attract externally-funded research programs. Continuing efforts include enhanced emissions testing equipment, hardware-in-the-loop capabilities, advanced combustion studies, and vehicle prototyping and testing. In addition, a simulation community is being developed to model vehicle subsystems and components. This research lends itself to simulation-based, optimal vehicle design; the results from which will be validated and verified through experimentation." |
| Fluids Laboratory | 192-102 | The Fluid Mechanics Laboratory gives students hands-on experience in fundamental and advanced concepts, from the Bernoulli Principle to boundary layer flows and fluid power machinery. |
| Graduate Studies Room | 13-106 | Setup for the use of Masters Program students. |
| Graduate Senior Design and Rapid Prototyping Laboratory | 13-132 | Students can create their design (digital files), 3-D physical model, enhance quality of their design, and fine-tune their design. Parts up to 10x10x12 inches can be produced using ABS. |
| Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Laboratory | 13-124 | In the HVAC Lab, students design and analyze heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, exploring thermodynamics, refrigeration and airflow principles. Through hands-on projects and industry-based problems, they develop solutions for real-world environments and system performance challenges. |
| Measurements Laboratory | 192-132 | |
| Parker Hannifin Controls Laboratory | The Mechanical Controls Laboratory was developed with generous and ongoing support from the Parker Hannifin Corporation. The lab serves the senior level Mechanical Controls course ME422 as well as senior projects and research projects. Students model, design and implement control systems using hydraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical platforms. By applying tools like MATLAB, Simulink and LabVIEW, they analyze system behavior and develop real-time solutions for complex mechanical control challenges. | |
| Robotics Laboratory | 192-121 | The Robotics Lab is part of our robotics course and is used for teaching robotic operations and tasks, vision systems, and microprocessor control of devices and actuators. In this lab, students learn about robot capabilities and limitations, robot programming techniques, robotic assembly and communications, robot control, rapid prototyping, vision processing and analysis, and fuzzy logic control. Students program robots to perform various tasks to understand robotic programming principles, vision systems, and microprocessors. In the past, our projects have included animatronic lips capable of mimicking human lip movements in speech, flexible skin sensors, camouflage system, fingerspelling hands for the blind-deaf, a monkey robot, a program that writes entered texts, a Rubik’s Cube Robotic Player, and many more. |
| Solar Turbines and Bently-Nevada Vibrations and Rotordynamics Lab | 13-101 | The Vibrations Lab introduces undergraduate students to free and forced vibration of simple structures. Industrial diagnostic and monitoring equipment used for rotating machinery and structural vibration is demonstrated. The goal of the lab is to develop mathematical models and experimental tests to determine the natural frequency, dynamic response, and damping of structures and rotating machinery. |
| Thermal Sciences Laboratory | 13-203 | Students conduct experiments in heat transfer and thermodynamics. The laboratory experiments are designed to give hands-on experience with operating physical equipment, instrumentation, and computer-based data acquisition systems. |
| Student Projects Machine Shop in the Hangar | 04-100 | Aptly suited to provide an extensive “Learn by Doing” experience for Mechanical Engineering and other students, the Student Projects Shop offers a complete array of manufacturing equipment. From basic hand and power tools to state-of-the-art computer controlled machines, students are exposed to the myriad of processes and technologies that comprise today’s’ manufacturing and fabricating environment in a step-by-step manner. Safety and Environmental Responsibility are emphasized to meet the challenges of twenty-first century engineering and production . Students use the Student Projects Shop to produce class assignments, build Club projects for regional and national competitions, and create their Senior Projects. |
| Mustang '60 | 197-114 | Cal Poly College of Engineering Machine Shops is a collaborative and safety-conscious learning environment where students complete the cycle of design, from concept to finished product. The machine shops’ primary interest has been to expand the creative potential of Cal Poly students. By demonstrating the intricacies involved in designing for manufacturing we guide students to design parts using efficient, innovative and cost-effective manufacturing techniques. The shop has broken down barriers; where some once saw tools and machines as intimidating or disconnected from their own experience, they are now empowered. A common reaction to the shop experience is “I can do that!” It is our duty to ensure students safely and confidently bring their ideas to life. |