Research Facilities and Equipment

UVA Engineering houses one of the most advanced 3-D bioprinters in the world, using cells instead of ink in its cartridges to print tissue. The bioprinter is located in the Peirce-Cottler Laboratory in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

The center, specializing in impact biomechanics for injury prevention, houses highly specialized equipment such as a sled systems, X-ray equipment and ultrasound systems.

UVA Engineering's 20-foot distillation column has digital controls, computerized data acquisition capabilities and steam power. It is located in the Unit Operations Laboratory in Wilsdorf Hall and is analogous to distillation columns used in industry to prototype new processes. The distillation column also is used to produce an excellent learning experience for students.

The Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) Shops offer access to advanced tooling for research groups. Each shop includes a wide variety of machining equipment and offers support for research and educational projects throughout the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Innovations in Fabrication is an integrated, cost-share facility supporting a broad array of research activities in hard microsystems, biomanufacturing, nanobiology and sot materials. The IFAB gives researchers the ability to conduct time-sensitive, closed-loop, end-to-end experiments.

The Nanoscale Materials Characterization Facility is a state-of-the-art user facility located with the Materials Science and Engineering Department. The facility is dedicated to materials characterization, available for use by all qualified faculty, students and researchers at UVA, as well as by researchers from other universities and industries. The University has recently approved a $10 million investment that will include new state-of-the-art tools for this pan-University facility.

The flight simulator located in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering can simulate 12 airplane models and more than 250 airports around the world. The software can simulate various weather conditions such as winds, clouds, night flight and turbulence. The simulator allows users to read and interpret flight instruments and feel the “aircraft” move and vibrate in response to their maneuvers.

Located in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, within the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Rapid Prototyping Lab is a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility that provides Computer-Aided Design, FDM 3D Printing, and Poly-Jet 3D Printing services to students, faculty, staff and external clients. The lab welcomes sponsored research projects and grant collaborations.

This laboratory operates and maintains a number of experimental test rigs for exploring various topics in the areas of fluid film bearings, rotordynamics, seals, and controls. These test rigs are developed with the direct feedback and support of ROMAC member companies.

This is a state-of-the art service and user facility in the heart of the University’s biomedical research community providing electron and light microscopy imaging technologies for basic scientists, physicians, and students. The facility provides: access to electron and light microscopes, training in microscope use, a full range of TEM and SEM sample preparatory services and consultation regarding microscopy applications in biomedical investigations.

As a university member of the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, University of Virginia researchers have access to the advanced manufacturing facility with its state-of-the-art tools and equipment.

The primary goal of the W.M. Keck Center for Cellular Imaging is to provide a state of the art optical imaging facility to enhance both the research and teaching environments of the University.