University Laboratory Construction: Building a Cutting-Edge Base for Cultivating Innovative Talents

I. University Laboratory Construction Process

(1) Needs Assessment and Planning

Before constructing university laboratories, a comprehensive and in-depth needs assessment must be conducted. Universities should organize teachers, researchers, and administrators from relevant disciplines to analyze the current problems and shortcomings of the laboratories, clarify the functional positioning and scale requirements of new or renovated laboratories, combining disciplinary development plans and teaching and research needs. For example, to meet the development needs of artificial intelligence, universities should fully consider the needs of this discipline in terms of computing power, data processing capabilities, and experimental scenario simulation when constructing artificial intelligence laboratories.

Based on the needs assessment, a detailed laboratory construction plan should be formulated. The planning content includes the functional zoning of the laboratory, such as the experimental operation area, instrument and equipment area, sample storage area, data processing area, etc.; spatial layout, according to the experimental process and personnel activity patterns, reasonably arrange the positions of various areas to ensure the smooth operation of experiments; and construction schedule, clarify the work tasks and time nodes of each stage to ensure the smooth progress of the construction project.

(2) Design and Scheme Formulation

After the needs assessment and planning are completed, the laboratory design phase begins. Professional laboratory design companies can be hired; they have rich experience and professional knowledge and can design the laboratory according to relevant laboratory construction regulations and standards, combining the specific needs of the university, including floor plan design, water and electricity design, ventilation system design, and fire protection design. During the design process, the safety, environmental protection, and practicality of the laboratory should be fully considered to ensure that the laboratory meets relevant national and industry requirements.

After the design scheme is formulated, experts should be organized to conduct argumentation and review. Experts evaluate the rationality, scientificity, and feasibility of the design scheme from a professional perspective and put forward modification opinions and suggestions. The university optimizes and improves the design scheme based on the expert opinions and finally determines the implementation scheme.

(3) Construction and Equipment Procurement

During the laboratory construction phase, construction units with the corresponding qualifications and good reputation should be selected, and construction should be carried out strictly in accordance with the design scheme and construction specifications. During the construction process, the university should strengthen the management of construction quality, progress, and safety, conduct regular inspections and supervision, and promptly discover and solve problems encountered during construction. At the same time, good communication and coordination should be maintained with construction units, design units, and equipment suppliers to ensure the smooth progress of construction.

Equipment procurement is a key link in the construction of university laboratories. According to the functional requirements and design scheme of the laboratory, a detailed equipment procurement list should be formulated, clarifying the technical parameters, performance indicators, and quantity requirements of the equipment. During the procurement process, high-quality equipment suppliers should be selected through public bidding, competitive negotiations, etc., to ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of the equipment. For some large-scale precision instruments and equipment, issues such as equipment installation and debugging, personnel training, and after-sales service should also be considered.

(4) Acceptance and Commissioning

After the completion of the laboratory construction, relevant departments and experts should be organized to conduct acceptance. The acceptance content includes the construction quality of the laboratory, water and electricity systems, ventilation systems, fire protection facilities, and instrument and equipment installation and debugging. For problems found during the acceptance process, the construction unit and equipment supplier are required to make timely corrections. The laboratory can be put into use after passing the acceptance.

After commissioning, the university should establish a sound laboratory management system, strengthen the daily management and maintenance of the laboratory, ensure the normal operation of laboratory equipment, and maintain a safe and clean environment. At the same time, training should be strengthened for laboratory managers and users to improve their professional skills and safety awareness, and to fully utilize the functions and roles of the laboratory.

III. Planning Key Points for University Laboratory Construction

(1) Reasonable Functional Zoning

Scientific and reasonable functional zoning is an important foundation for the construction of university laboratories. Different types of laboratories have different functional zoning. For example, physics laboratories should be divided into experimental operation areas, instrument storage areas, and data processing areas. The experimental operation areas should be subdivided according to different experimental projects to ensure that experimental operations do not interfere with each other; biological laboratories should set up clean areas, semi-contaminated areas, and contaminated areas, strictly abide by biosafety regulations, and prevent biological contamination. Reasonable functional zoning can improve the utilization efficiency of the laboratory and ensure the safety and health of laboratory personnel.

(2) Advanced Equipment Selection

Instruments and equipment are important supports for university laboratories to carry out teaching and research activities. When selecting equipment, it is necessary to keep up with the forefront of disciplinary development and select equipment with advanced technology, stable performance, and high reliability. At the same time, the compatibility and scalability of the equipment should be fully considered to facilitate future upgrades and updates of the equipment. In addition, according to the actual needs and budget of the laboratory, the number of equipment should be reasonably configured to avoid equipment idleness and waste or insufficient quantity affecting the experimental teaching and research work.

(3) Intelligent and Informatized Construction

With the rapid development of information technology, intelligence and informatization have become a development trend in the construction of university laboratories. In the process of laboratory construction, an intelligent management system should be introduced to realize intelligent monitoring and management of laboratory equipment, environment, and personnel. For example, through the Internet of Things technology, remote control and status monitoring of experimental equipment can be realized, equipment failures can be found and repaired in time; using an information management platform, the use of the laboratory, experimental data, etc., can be managed in an information manner, making it convenient for teachers and students to query and use, improving the management efficiency and service level of the laboratory.

(4) Safe and Environmentally Friendly Design

Safety and environmental protection are issues that must be given high priority in the construction of university laboratories. In the laboratory design process, various safety hazards should be fully considered, and effective safety protection measures should be taken. For example, setting up a ventilation system to promptly exhaust harmful gases generated during experiments; installing fire protection facilities, equipping fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation passages to ensure that personnel can quickly and safely evacuate in case of fire or other emergencies. At the same time, the treatment of wastewater, waste gas, and waste residue pollutants in the laboratory should be done well, strictly abide by national and local environmental protection regulations, and prevent environmental pollution.

IV. Sharing of High-Quality Cases of University Laboratory Construction

Below, we recommend a laboratory construction general contractor ——Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in 1999, Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise. It is a high-tech service-oriented enterprise specializing in the overall planning, design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance, and scientific research of special experimental environment projects such as constant temperature and humidity, biosafety, clean purification, high-precision control, and experimental animal facilities. It has rich experience in university laboratory construction. The following are Nanjing Expansion Technology University Laboratory Construction Cases 。 (Related link https://www.to-sun.com/cases/4.html)

(1) Nanjing University (Suzhou) Laboratory

Nanjing University Suzhou Campus (East Campus) The 2# Industrial-Research General Institute Public Laboratory project is a comprehensive project integrating electrical engineering, water supply and drainage engineering, HVAC engineering, automation control, process pipelines, and smart laboratories. The areas implemented by Expansion Technology are mainly concentrated on the basement and first floor of the Science and Technology Building, including the 1005㎡ micro-nano laboratory area in the lower left corner of the basement, the 850㎡ electron microscope concentration area in the upper left corner of the basement, and the 2300㎡ physical and chemical laboratory area in the south of the first floor.
The project encompasses various specialized laboratories, including micro-nano purification, electron microscopy, and chemistry labs, with extremely high requirements for environmental indicators such as temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Nanjing Tuochang Technology team, based on project needs, carefully planned to ensure that each laboratory meets its predetermined performance indicators.

(II) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Laboratory

The advanced additive manufacturing laboratory of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) strictly adheres to temperature and humidity control standards, ensuring stable environmental conditions at 22±1℃ and 40% ±10%RH, and is equipped with a 10,000-grade cleanroom, providing the necessary environment for sensitive nano-scale printing and micro-nano system integration experiments. After the laboratory is put into use, it will have a huge impact on intelligent manufacturing in Guangdong and even the whole country.

The advanced additive manufacturing laboratory of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) ( AAM Lab) is a 730-square-meter modern research facility focusing on additive manufacturing technology research and application. Tuochang Technology has tailor-made a human body model/clothing AM laboratory, materials 3D printing laboratory, laser AM laboratory, digital manufacturing laboratory, nano-printing laboratory, micro-nano system integration laboratory, and industrial data analysis and digital laboratory for nine professors in the field of intelligent manufacturing.

( III ) Shenzhen University of Technology
The project includes the construction of clean rooms in the School of New Materials and New Energy (Building 4, 4th floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc. Clean room construction in the School of Big Data and Internet (Building 8, 1st floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc. Clean room construction in the School of Pharmacy (Building 2, 6th/7th floor), including GMP laboratories, sterile laboratories, and P2 laboratories. Clean room construction in the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing College (Building 13, 11th floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc.

V. Suggestions for University Laboratory Construction

(I) Strengthen overall planning

Universities should incorporate laboratory construction into the overall development plan of the school and formulate long-term and short-term goals for laboratory construction. Strengthen communication and coordination between different disciplines, integrate resources, and avoid duplication of construction and waste of resources. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust the laboratory construction plan in a timely manner according to the changes in the dynamics of discipline development and social needs, ensuring that laboratory construction is in line with the school's development strategy.

(II) Increase capital investment

University laboratory construction requires substantial financial support. Universities should raise funds through multiple channels and increase investment in laboratory construction. In addition to seeking government funding, they can also attract social capital to participate in laboratory construction through school-enterprise cooperation and social donations. At the same time, it is necessary to reasonably allocate funds, improve the efficiency of fund use, and ensure that funds are used in key areas and key projects.

(III) Focus on talent cultivation

The quality of laboratory management personnel and users directly affects the efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory operation. Universities should strengthen professional training for laboratory management personnel, improve their management level and business capabilities; encourage teachers and students to actively participate in laboratory construction and scientific research activities, cultivate their innovative awareness and practical abilities. In addition, a sound talent incentive mechanism should be established to attract and retain excellent laboratory talents.

(IV) Strengthen openness and sharing

University laboratories should break down the boundaries between disciplines and departments and achieve openness and sharing. By establishing an open and shared laboratory platform, laboratory resources should be opened to researchers, enterprises, and the public inside and outside the school to improve the efficiency of laboratory use and promote academic exchange and collaborative innovation. At the same time, a reasonable open and shared charging mechanism should be established to ensure the normal operation and maintenance of the laboratory.

In the context of the rapid development of higher education, university laboratory construction has become an important indicator of the quality of higher education teaching and scientific research level. It is not only a key place for students to transform theoretical knowledge into practical abilities, but also the core base for universities to conduct cutting-edge scientific research and promote the development of disciplines. Complete and advanced university laboratory construction can provide teachers and students with a high-quality scientific research and teaching environment, helping to cultivate high-quality talents with innovative spirit and practical abilities.

I. University Laboratory Construction Process

(1) Needs Assessment and Planning

Before constructing university laboratories, a comprehensive and in-depth needs assessment must be conducted. Universities should organize teachers, researchers, and administrators from relevant disciplines to analyze the current problems and shortcomings of the laboratories, clarify the functional positioning and scale requirements of new or renovated laboratories, combining disciplinary development plans and teaching and research needs. For example, to meet the development needs of artificial intelligence, universities should fully consider the needs of this discipline in terms of computing power, data processing capabilities, and experimental scenario simulation when constructing artificial intelligence laboratories.

Based on the needs assessment, a detailed laboratory construction plan should be formulated. The planning content includes the functional zoning of the laboratory, such as the experimental operation area, instrument and equipment area, sample storage area, data processing area, etc.; spatial layout, according to the experimental process and personnel activity patterns, reasonably arrange the positions of various areas to ensure the smooth operation of experiments; and construction schedule, clarify the work tasks and time nodes of each stage to ensure the smooth progress of the construction project.

(2) Design and Scheme Formulation

After the needs assessment and planning are completed, the laboratory design phase begins. Professional laboratory design companies can be hired; they have rich experience and professional knowledge and can design the laboratory according to relevant laboratory construction regulations and standards, combining the specific needs of the university, including floor plan design, water and electricity design, ventilation system design, and fire protection design. During the design process, the safety, environmental protection, and practicality of the laboratory should be fully considered to ensure that the laboratory meets relevant national and industry requirements.

After the design scheme is formulated, experts should be organized to conduct argumentation and review. Experts evaluate the rationality, scientificity, and feasibility of the design scheme from a professional perspective and put forward modification opinions and suggestions. The university optimizes and improves the design scheme based on the expert opinions and finally determines the implementation scheme.

(3) Construction and Equipment Procurement

During the laboratory construction phase, construction units with the corresponding qualifications and good reputation should be selected, and construction should be carried out strictly in accordance with the design scheme and construction specifications. During the construction process, the university should strengthen the management of construction quality, progress, and safety, conduct regular inspections and supervision, and promptly discover and solve problems encountered during construction. At the same time, good communication and coordination should be maintained with construction units, design units, and equipment suppliers to ensure the smooth progress of construction.

Equipment procurement is a key link in the construction of university laboratories. According to the functional requirements and design scheme of the laboratory, a detailed equipment procurement list should be formulated, clarifying the technical parameters, performance indicators, and quantity requirements of the equipment. During the procurement process, high-quality equipment suppliers should be selected through public bidding, competitive negotiations, etc., to ensure the quality and cost-effectiveness of the equipment. For some large-scale precision instruments and equipment, issues such as equipment installation and debugging, personnel training, and after-sales service should also be considered.

(4) Acceptance and Commissioning

After the completion of the laboratory construction, relevant departments and experts should be organized to conduct acceptance. The acceptance content includes the construction quality of the laboratory, water and electricity systems, ventilation systems, fire protection facilities, and instrument and equipment installation and debugging. For problems found during the acceptance process, the construction unit and equipment supplier are required to make timely corrections. The laboratory can be put into use after passing the acceptance.

After commissioning, the university should establish a sound laboratory management system, strengthen the daily management and maintenance of the laboratory, ensure the normal operation of laboratory equipment, and maintain a safe and clean environment. At the same time, training should be strengthened for laboratory managers and users to improve their professional skills and safety awareness, and to fully utilize the functions and roles of the laboratory.

III. Planning Key Points for University Laboratory Construction

(1) Reasonable Functional Zoning

Scientific and reasonable functional zoning is an important foundation for the construction of university laboratories. Different types of laboratories have different functional zoning. For example, physics laboratories should be divided into experimental operation areas, instrument storage areas, and data processing areas. The experimental operation areas should be subdivided according to different experimental projects to ensure that experimental operations do not interfere with each other; biological laboratories should set up clean areas, semi-contaminated areas, and contaminated areas, strictly abide by biosafety regulations, and prevent biological contamination. Reasonable functional zoning can improve the utilization efficiency of the laboratory and ensure the safety and health of laboratory personnel.

(2) Advanced Equipment Selection

Instruments and equipment are important supports for university laboratories to carry out teaching and research activities. When selecting equipment, it is necessary to keep up with the forefront of disciplinary development and select equipment with advanced technology, stable performance, and high reliability. At the same time, the compatibility and scalability of the equipment should be fully considered to facilitate future upgrades and updates of the equipment. In addition, according to the actual needs and budget of the laboratory, the number of equipment should be reasonably configured to avoid equipment idleness and waste or insufficient quantity affecting the experimental teaching and research work.

(3) Intelligent and Informatized Construction

With the rapid development of information technology, intelligence and informatization have become a development trend in the construction of university laboratories. In the process of laboratory construction, an intelligent management system should be introduced to realize intelligent monitoring and management of laboratory equipment, environment, and personnel. For example, through the Internet of Things technology, remote control and status monitoring of experimental equipment can be realized, equipment failures can be found and repaired in time; using an information management platform, the use of the laboratory, experimental data, etc., can be managed in an information manner, making it convenient for teachers and students to query and use, improving the management efficiency and service level of the laboratory.

(4) Safe and Environmentally Friendly Design

Safety and environmental protection are issues that must be given high priority in the construction of university laboratories. In the laboratory design process, various safety hazards should be fully considered, and effective safety protection measures should be taken. For example, setting up a ventilation system to promptly exhaust harmful gases generated during experiments; installing fire protection facilities, equipping fire extinguishers and emergency evacuation passages to ensure that personnel can quickly and safely evacuate in case of fire or other emergencies. At the same time, the treatment of wastewater, waste gas, and waste residue pollutants in the laboratory should be done well, strictly abide by national and local environmental protection regulations, and prevent environmental pollution.

IV. Sharing of High-Quality Cases of University Laboratory Construction

Below, we recommend a laboratory construction general contractor ——Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. Founded in 1999, Nanjing Expansion Technology Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise. It is a high-tech service-oriented enterprise specializing in the overall planning, design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance, and scientific research of special experimental environment projects such as constant temperature and humidity, biosafety, clean purification, high-precision control, and experimental animal facilities. It has rich experience in university laboratory construction. The following are Nanjing Expansion Technology University Laboratory Construction Cases 。

(1) Nanjing University (Suzhou) Laboratory

Nanjing University Suzhou Campus (East Campus) The 2# Industrial-Research General Institute Public Laboratory project is a comprehensive project integrating electrical engineering, water supply and drainage engineering, HVAC engineering, automation control, process pipelines, and smart laboratories. The areas implemented by Expansion Technology are mainly concentrated on the basement and first floor of the Science and Technology Building, including the 1005㎡ micro-nano laboratory area in the lower left corner of the basement, the 850㎡ electron microscope concentration area in the upper left corner of the basement, and the 2300㎡ physical and chemical laboratory area in the south of the first floor.
The project encompasses various specialized laboratories, including micro-nano purification, electron microscopy, and chemistry labs, with extremely high requirements for environmental indicators such as temperature, humidity, and cleanliness. Nanjing Tuochang Technology team, based on project needs, carefully planned to ensure that each laboratory meets its predetermined performance indicators.

(II) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) Laboratory

The advanced additive manufacturing laboratory of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) strictly adheres to temperature and humidity control standards, ensuring stable environmental conditions at 22±1℃ and 40% ±10%RH, and is equipped with a 10,000-grade cleanroom, providing the necessary environment for sensitive nano-scale printing and micro-nano system integration experiments. After the laboratory is put into use, it will have a huge impact on intelligent manufacturing in Guangdong and even the whole country.

The advanced additive manufacturing laboratory of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) ( AAM Lab) is a 730-square-meter modern research facility focusing on additive manufacturing technology research and application. Tuochang Technology has tailor-made a human body model/clothing AM laboratory, materials 3D printing laboratory, laser AM laboratory, digital manufacturing laboratory, nano-printing laboratory, micro-nano system integration laboratory, and industrial data analysis and digital laboratory for nine professors in the field of intelligent manufacturing.

( III ) Shenzhen University of Technology
The project includes the construction of clean rooms in the School of New Materials and New Energy (Building 4, 4th floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc. Clean room construction in the School of Big Data and Internet (Building 8, 1st floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc. Clean room construction in the School of Pharmacy (Building 2, 6th/7th floor), including GMP laboratories, sterile laboratories, and P2 laboratories. Clean room construction in the Sino-German Intelligent Manufacturing College (Building 13, 11th floor), including purification, constant temperature and humidity control, etc.

V. Suggestions for University Laboratory Construction

(I) Strengthen overall planning

Universities should incorporate laboratory construction into the overall development plan of the school and formulate long-term and short-term goals for laboratory construction. Strengthen communication and coordination between different disciplines, integrate resources, and avoid duplication of construction and waste of resources. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust the laboratory construction plan in a timely manner according to the changes in the dynamics of discipline development and social needs, ensuring that laboratory construction is in line with the school's development strategy.

(II) Increase capital investment

University laboratory construction requires substantial financial support. Universities should raise funds through multiple channels and increase investment in laboratory construction. In addition to seeking government funding, they can also attract social capital to participate in laboratory construction through school-enterprise cooperation and social donations. At the same time, it is necessary to reasonably allocate funds, improve the efficiency of fund use, and ensure that funds are used in key areas and key projects.

(III) Focus on talent cultivation

The quality of laboratory management personnel and users directly affects the efficiency and effectiveness of laboratory operation. Universities should strengthen professional training for laboratory management personnel, improve their management level and business capabilities; encourage teachers and students to actively participate in laboratory construction and scientific research activities, cultivate their innovative awareness and practical abilities. In addition, a sound talent incentive mechanism should be established to attract and retain excellent laboratory talents.

(IV) Strengthen openness and sharing

University laboratories should break down the boundaries between disciplines and departments and achieve openness and sharing. By establishing an open and shared laboratory platform, laboratory resources should be opened to researchers, enterprises, and the public inside and outside the school to improve the efficiency of laboratory use and promote academic exchange and collaborative innovation. At the same time, a reasonable open and shared charging mechanism should be established to ensure the normal operation and maintenance of the laboratory.