Lab Description
Mission
The IDL is an Analytical Resource
Laboratory which provides collaborative support to research scientists in the natural
sciences in order to enhance their research through custom instrumentation and laboratory
automation. That instrumentation and automation is often based on small computers and
workstations.
Instrumentation solutions to laboratory problems may be developed as
"turnkey" systems in which the IDL develops all hardware and software or as a
coordinated project where the IDL both consults with a member of a research group and
provides hardware and software modules as needed.
Clientele
Services are available to research groups in the natural sciences. Departments
regularly using the IDL include Chemistry, Physics, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Botany, Physiology, Entomology, Systematics and
Ecology, the Natural History Museum and the Higuchi Biosciences Center.
Facilities and Capabilities
The IDL designs and fabricates electronic and computer-based instrumentation as well as
programmable mechanical devices that interact with the computer. It is fully equipped with
test equipment and fabrication equipment, as well as significant stocks of integrated
circuits, passive components, connectors, etc. CAD systems are used for printed
circuit board layout and documentation preparation. Lab personnel are
also responsible for a wire-bonding machine.
The IDL typically develops software in C or C++, but also uses Visual Basic,
LabView, Delphi or Assembly Language for a variety of microprocessors and micro controllers.
The lab has an MSDN (Microsoft Systems Developer Network) subscription that
provides automatic delivery of the latest versions of Windows, Server tools,
Visual Studio (VC, VB, VJ, etc.) and office.
Applications
involving precision data acquisition and control, real-time graphics, communications and
concurrent processes are common. Dedicated microcontrollers can be used for data
acquisition or miniaturized circuits. Where commercial units lacked capability, the IDL
has designed many computer boards for input and output. Further
description of IDL projects illustrate the variety.
