By Sadie Staker
A researcher needs laboratory equipment that cannot be ordered from a catalog. An instrument breaks, threatening to delay an experiment. A student has an idea for a prototype but needs help figuring out how to build it.
To solve these problems, students, faculty, and staff across the University of Iowa turn to specialized shops and laboratories housed within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). The shops provide services ranging from scientific glassblowing to electronics and engineering.
“I love my job,” Scientific Glassblower, Benjamin Revis, said. “I can do something different every day. Every day, there's going to be a different piece to build, a different puzzle to solve.”
Over the years, CLAS shops have served numerous departments across the university, from medicine and engineering to the arts. They have contributed to a wide array of projects, from an 8-foot-tall glass water clock for an arts performance to spaceflight missions.
Having experts and resources on campus allows researchers to save time and money when projects depend on specialized equipment. While utilizing the shops often requires a fee, university students, faculty, and staff often receive discounted rates.
“Time is critical in many facets of research, and having resources on site, ready to act and respond, is a tremendous value to their valuable research work,” said Mike Estenson, who manages the Research Design Services Electronics Lab and Electronics Repair and Calibration Lab.
Each of the CLAS shops also give students opportunities to learn alongside professional engineers, machinists, technicians, and test specialists. For instance, the Prototype and Machine Shop offers training to staff and students, and the Glassblowing Facility allows students, including those without a science background, to learn glassblowing through independent study.
“As a business student with a strong passion for art, I never expected to discover something that would completely captivate me the way glassblowing did,” said Sophia Claus, who completed an independent study in glassblowing. “It has easily become one of the coolest and most meaningful experiences I’ve ever been a part of.”
Along with supporting university projects, the CLAS shops serve private companies, alumni, national laboratories, other universities, and government agencies. Notably, the Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory (ISL), which creates and tests space equipment while providing general engineering, machining, and electronics services to the university, has collaborated with NASA.
“Many people know ISL for its work on NASA missions and advanced research programs, but our service centers are available to support projects of every size and discipline,” said Richard Dvorsky, research administrator of ISL.
Across Iowa, shop staff welcome everyone, regardless of their academic discipline, to engage with the facilities.
“Don't limit yourself,” Revis said. “Ask if glass has a place in your next project. Dream outside the box. Put it on a piece of paper. Come in, have a conversation.”
CLAS Shops
Glass Facility
The Glass Facility designs and repairs glass scientific equipment. Rates are $90/hour for University of Iowa clients, and flat rates can be negotiated on a per project basis.
Iowa Spaceflight Laboratory
This lab provides engineering, prototyping, manufacturing, and testing services. The Machine Shop and Electronics Assembly Shop (EAS) are housed within the ISL. Rates vary by service type.
Research Design Services Electronics Lab
Housed in the Department of Chemistry, this lab is responsible for the repair, maintenance, fabrication, or purchase of electronics-related instrumentation and components. Rates are $90/hour for University of Iowa clients, and flat rates can be negotiated on a per project basis.
Electronics Repair and Calibration Lab
Housed in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, this lab is responsible for the repair, maintenance, calibration, fabrication, or purchase of electronics-related instrumentation and components. Rates are $90/hour for University of Iowa clients, and flat rates can be negotiated on a per project basis.
Prototype and Machine Shop
This shop designs and builds instructional and research equipment. Rates are $75/hour for University of Iowa clients, and flat rates can be negotiated on a per project basis.
