- Project Facts
- Client: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Program: Laboratory
- Completed: 2003
- Project Team: Jon Keller, John Nakazawa
Two lab areas, a vibration isolation room, and student offices are included in MIT Prof. Van Vliet's Materials Science and Engineering lab. Professor Van Vliet's interests include the study of mechanically coupled transitions in material behavior and structure through the creation of real-time images containing topographical, mechanical, chemical, and kinetic data at at sub-nanometer resolution. By probing materials at their most basic structural and functional length scales, Dr. Van Vliet’s group investigates mechanically coupled transitions in material behavior and structure. To support her investigations, IKM designed this new facility to include both chemistry and bio-science laboratories. In addition, the architects created a low vibration isolation room to isolate vibrations in the ½ htz range by means of a two-stage apparatus: the floor of the room consists of an active air-piston-controlled platform that supports additional isolation tables. Other spaces in the lab include an electronics work bench and a computer area containing cooloing and power to house a computer cluster of as many as 40 CPU’s. Interior windows extend natural lighting and visually link the labs with a student office area.
