Thayer Laboratory Information & Use Policy

The following provides information, policies, and protocols regarding use of Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth ("Thayer") instructional labs, makerspaces, and workshops, as well as any equipment in those spaces, by students.

Guidelines for Thayer Lab Use

Our instructional labs, makerspaces, and workshops—as well as instructional staff—are here to support project-based, hands-on learning for our undergraduate students, as well as provide design and fabrication support for graduate research. All lab and project spaces at Thayer are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment, thus have specific protocols and safety requirements for its use.

  • Systems Lab I (Analog Electronics Lab)

    Location: Cumming Hall (C222)
    Contact: Robert (Bob) Barry, Engineering Lab Instructor

    Systems Lab I contains seven lab workstations plus three partial workstations with electronic instrumentation. This analog electronics instruction lab is for use only by students in courses assigned to the lab or by special permission of the lab manager. The rules of use for the lab are:

    • The lab should not be occupied after hours unless there are at least two people present.
    • If there are fewer than 2-3 people during the day, please keep the door propped open.
    • The last person to leave the lab (at any time during the day) should ensure that the doors are locked and the lights are off.
    • Equipment must not be removed from the lab at any time without permission.
    • No food allowed in the lab and no drink is allowed on the soldering bench.
  • Systems Lab II (Analog Electronics Lab)

    Location: Cumming Hall (C221)
    Contact: Robert (Bob) Barry, Engineering Lab Instructor

    Systems Lab II contains six lab workstations plus two partial workstations. This analog electronics instruction lab is intended for instructional use and coursework takes priority over all other use. However, most resources in the lab may be used by other qualified Thayer staff, students, or personnel, provided there is no conflict with course work and with permission of the lab manager.

    • The lab should not be occupied after hours unless there are at least two people present.
    • We prefer that if there are fewer than 2-3 people during the day that the door be propped open.
    • The last person leaving the lab (at any time during the day) should ensure that the doors are locked and the lights are off.
    • Equipment must not be removed from either lab at any time without permission.
    • No food is allowed in the lab and no drink is allowed on the soldering bench.
  • Materials Laboratories

    Location: MacLean Engineering Sciences Center (M016, M026, M028, and MB028)
    Contact: Daniel Cullen, Project and Materials Lab Manager

    The Materials Laboratories are under the supervision of Daniel Cullen. The use of equipment, instruments, tools, chemicals, or other supplies is restricted to registered students and Dartmouth College employees. The laboratories contain compressed gases, liquid nitrogen, high temperature furnaces, high voltage power supplies, x-ray equipment, chemical fume hoods, acids, and other chemicals. The use of appropriate safety equipment, such as protective splash goggles, hats, gloves, and aprons are required. Students must receive training and authorization before using equipment in these labs. No food is permitted in these labs.

  • Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Laboratories

    The research labs for biotechnology and biochemical engineering are located throughout Cummings Hall, MacLean Engineering Sciences Center, and the Engineering and Computer Science Center (ECSC), under the supervision of Professors Margie Ackerman, Britt Goods, Karl Griswold, Jiwon Lee, Lee Lynd, and John Zhang. In addition, ECSC also houses space for shared facilities and equipment (Biotech Instructional Lab (E143), Media Prep (E146) , Analytic Lab (E137), and Environmental Rooms (E145 A-C).

    Anyone seeking access to equipment, tools, chemicals or other supplies in any of the labs must receive authorization from Mary Kay Brown, Biotechnology Lab Manager, or from one of the professors who supervise the labs. All students and postdocs working in the labs must familiarize themselves with Essential Information on Laboratory Safety at Dartmouth College: Resource Guide, provided by Dartmouth’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

    Our research involves the use of compressed, flammable, and poisonous gases, hypodermic needles and syringes, and chemical agents that are mutagenic, carcinogenic, explosive, and highly toxic as well as biological hazards including pathogenic organisms and infectious agents. Students must familiarize themselves with potential hazards and appropriate procedures of disposal of chemicals, needles, broken glass, and biohazardous wastes that they use in their research and demonstrate this familiarity by completing required safety training. No food or drink is permitted in lab refrigerators and eating and drinking in labs is prohibited. The labs are under card access restrictions and are locked 24/7. Students needing lab access will have to obtain this by communicating with the Biotech Lab Manager or a PI.

    Ackerman Lab

    Location: Engineering and Computer Science Center (E135-146)
    Contact: Professor Margie Ackerman; Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

    Goods Lab

    Location: Engineering and Computer Science Center (E135-146)
    Contact:
    Professor Britt Goods; Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

    Griswold Lab

    Location: Engineering and Computer Science Center (E135-146)
    Contacts: Professor Karl Griswold; Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

    Lee Lab

    Location: Engineering and Computer Science Center (E135-146)
    Contacts: Professor Jiwon Lee; Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

    Lynd Lab

    Location: Engineering and Computer Science Center (E233)
    Contacts: Professor Lee Lynd; Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

    Zhang Lab

    Location: MacLean Engineering Sciences Center (MB06); Cummings Hall (CB01, CB02, CB03)
    Contacts: Professor John Zhang, Biotechnology Lab Manager Mary Kay Brown

  • Project Laboratories

    There are five instructional project lab spaces on the ground floor of MacLean Center for Engineering Sciences, Cumming Hall, and the Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center: the Couch Project Design Lab, the Fahey Advanced Design Lab, the Large Frame Project Lab, the Electronics Project Lab, and the Couch Project Lab II. These labs are intended for curricular project work, while faculty labs are more appropriate for sponsored research.

    For overall lab use questions or when the supervisor below is not available, contact Mike Kokko, Director of Instructional Labs, or the Director of Facilities and Safety Jon Stark.

    Couch Project Design Lab (M009, M014)

    The Couch Lab is a large general design and assembly space for use in a variety of primarily undergraduate project courses including ENGS 21. Large benches are available for project work, but should be kept clear when work is not actively ongoing, and must be cleared before the next class day starts (TA's clear anything left on tables between 7:00am and 9:00am every weekday). Wall storage units are available for parts storage. A variety of mechanical and electronics test equipment is also available. Some power tools are provided for use by students with safety training or under direct supervision of trained TAs. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the large power tools available from 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. When using power tools, safety glasses must be worn and hair must be pulled back and tucked above the shoulders inside a hat. Use of the Instron mechanical testing machines require someone within hailing distance (the buddy system) when being used. Hearing protection, chemical splash goggles, and gloves are available in the Instrument Room. For more detail, please refer to the posted document "Student Project Lab Rules and Etiquette." In general, food and drink are permitted as long as they are cleaned up when done, with the exception of M018, the high vent lab just off Couch lab, where food or drink are not permitted. This space is managed by the Machine Shop.

    Couch Project Design Lab II (ECSC B08)

    The Couch II Lab is a large design space used primarily for undergraduate courses including ENGS 12 and 21. Equipment is limited to hand tools for working with foam core and cardboard, sewing machines, and whiteboards for brainstorming. Consumable materials in the back room (post its, fabrics, etc) are for ENGS 12 use only and labeled accordingly. The lab is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with occasional hours staffed by TAs during weekdays. All long term work must be stored in cubbies and not left out on tables–TAs will clean tables daily, so please don’t leave your project work out or it will get thrown away. Cubbies are available for students to use for project storage and will be cleaned out at the end of each term. Please label your cubby with name, course, and term. In general, food and drink are permitted as long as they are cleaned up and disposed of properly when done. This space is under the supervision of Chris Magoon.

    Fahey Advanced Design Lab (M003)

    The Fahey Advanced Design Lab is used for courses with significant laboratory and/or project components (eg. ENGS 76, ENGS 89/90, ENGS 147). The room remains locked 24/7 and card access is provided on a term-by-term basis to students with assigned space in the room. Certain extracurricular student groups (eg. DFR, DHE) have dedicated space reserved in Fahey. Project materials may be left on benches in Fahey during the term, however, the space must remain neat. This space is under the supervision of Mike Kokko.

    Allyn Large Frame Lab (M030)

    The Large Frame Lab is a fabrication and assembly area for large projects which may involve large metal frames. It is to be used only by students who have been assigned access, received safety training and agreed to use policies. It is typically used by BE students and occasional ENGS 21 projects. Some power tools are available only to users specifically qualified (ask if you are unsure). This space is under the supervision of Raina White.

    Electronics Project Lab (C011)

    The Electronics Project Lab is a design and assembly space for electronics, mechatronics, and energy related projects. Use of this lab is by assignment; the front space is usually assigned to a relevant Engineering course, and the rear space is assigned to specific projects. This space is under the supervision of Raina White.