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Innovation, Discovery, Design, & Data Lab

IDEA Lab Hours

The IDEA Lab is open at all times that Grainger Engineering Library is open. However, certain services, such as Loanable Tech and the Virtual Reality Lounge, are only available when the IDEA Lab is staffed. The IDEA Lab is staffed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturdays.

IDEA Lab Access Request. Submit a proposal for access. Please note that access must be renewed each semester.

IDEA Lab Access Request

Submit a proposal for access. Please note that access must be renewed each semester.


3D Print Request Request a 3D print job. Please allow 2 business days to process.

3D Print Request

Request a 3D print job. Please allow 2 business days to process.

Reserve Design Space Reserve conference rooms & presentation spaces. Available during Library hours.

Reserve Design Space

Reserve conference rooms & presentation spaces. Available during Library hours.


Reserve Technology Space. Reserve 3D Print Lab, VR Lounge, Visualization Wall, Informatics Lab. Available during Lab hours.

Reserve Technology Space

Reserve 3D Print Lab, VR Lounge, Visualization Wall, Informatics Lab. Available during Lab hours.

Spaces and Technology

Loanable Technology

Click for more information about each of the IDEA Lab’s loanable technologies.


Get Help

Get Help

Finding, using or integrating our tech into your course or research project.

About the IDEA Lab

The IDEA Lab provides space and technology for collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship and supports a wide range of digital scholarship activities. The lab functions as a demonstration and prototyping site for exploring the interface between design learning, informatics, visualization, and data analytics. It features the informatics innovations and pioneering technologies that make the Grainger Engineering Library Information Center unique.

See below for more information about each of the IDEA Lab’s technologies.

3D Printer
VIS Wall
Virtual Reality

The Visualization Wall with two students standing in front of it
The Visualization Wall with two students standing in front of it

A 13.5′ feet by 7.5′ visualization wall ideal for high-definition presentations

  • Comprised of 16 46” monitors
  • 7,680 by 4,320 pixel, true 8K,  resolution
  • Powered by a high-end Windows 10 workstation with NVIDIA Quadro 6000 video card


A student wearing the HTC Vive headset interacts with a virtual object.

Work space for groups utilizing virtual reality and augmented reality technologies

  • HTC Vive
  • Oculus Rift
  • HoloLens


Professor Mischo demonstrating the Informatics Lab to a group of students
Professor Mischo demonstrating the Informatics Lab to a group of students

An Informatics Laboratory for work on information discovery and database technologies

  • A mini-visualization wall comprised of 4 55″ monitors
  • True 8K resolution
  • Four 65” mobile touchscreen monitors with attached workstations


The 3D Printing Lab, featuring three LulzBot TAZ 5 3D printers
The 3D Printing Lab, featuring three LulzBot TAZ 5 3D printers

Three 3D printers for constructing prototypes

  • LulzBot TAZ 5 3D printer with standard PLA printing capabilities
  • LulzBot TAZ 5 3D printer equipped with dual extruders
  • LulzBot TAZ 5 3D printer equipped with “flexystruder” to print flexible filament
  • Sense 3D scanner


Presentation Space North
Presentation Space North
Presentation Space East
Presentation Space East

Two presentation spaces for enhanced interactive presentations

  • North area with dual 84” monitors
  • East area includes a single 84” monitor equipped with wireless presentation technology


Innovator Design RoomGroup work rooms for collaborating on discovery, design, and data projects
  • Glass writing surfaces
  • Mobile whiteboards
  • 58″ mobile high-definition monitors with attached workstations


Collaboration Table

Collaboration tables for group project work

  • 4′ x 6′ collaboration tables with attached 42” monitors
  • Six Extron switch cables (4 HDMI; 2 VGA)


  • Only users with keycard access may enter.
  • Each person must swipe their keycard each time they enter.
  • No food is allowed (unless prior arrangements are made).


  • Email us at idealab@library.illinois.edu
  • The IDEA Lab is located on the west side of Grainger Engineering Library’s lower level.
  • The IDEA Lab is open during Grainger Engineering Library’s operating hours. Access must be approved.