The iLAB, a collection of hardware, software and relationships that will rapidly convert intangible ideas into tangible representations and intellectual property (IP) protection, will serve as a platform for the development of STEM programs that will encourage interest in future engineering students by demonstrating the rapid conversion of their ideas to practical implementation.

The Computer Optimization and Simulation Lab is equipped with simulation and optimization software which can provide software and expertise to apply simulation and optimization for solving industrial problems. This lab is primarily used for Dr. Li teaching IE406, IE514, and IE526 and also for our students to study and do their assignments such as homework and projects.

The Manufacturing Lab is an co-departmental laboratory (IIE & Mechanical Dept.) in the School of Engineering. The laboratory is established to build a rational foundation for manufacturing based on a systematic understanding of the complex interactions among the many areas of manufacturing. Research along those lines has led to innovation in manufacturing processes and better understanding of planning, design, and production operations.

The Natural Interaction Lab (NIL)concentrates on the impact and application of the Natural Interaction (NI), which enables enhanced human-machine interaction using natural behaviors that is no burden to learn and highly efficient in bi-directional communication, to the industry in the perspective of Industrial Engineering (IE).

The Work Design Lab provides the tools and equipment necessary to introduce students into the field of methods, standards, work design, and productivity improvement. The laboratory has the capability to perform detailed analysis of workstations and the processes performed at them, based on ergonomic principles as well as time studies and motion economy.

The state-of-the-art UT Driving Simulator Laboratory (UTDSL) was unveiled in August, 2009. The vehicle simulator lab is being currently used both by Civil Engineering and Industrial and Information Engineering (IIE) department. The IIE department was rewarded a project proposal to conduct distracted driving experiments on the vehicle simulator.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is very popular in the modern world. One of the emerging applications is to connect trading partners and align supply chains. The lab now has the following facilities: Alien RFID Gateway, Bowh RFID Server, Desktop Dell computers, Matlab/Simulink, RFID Readers, RFID Tag (T-S-E-D Series) and a Supply Chain Simulation Platform.

Meridium, the global leader in asset performance management (APM) software and consulting solutions, has announced the launch of the Meridium Asset Performance Management Lab in cooperation with University of Tennessee on Dec 8, 2011. This lab will offer professors, graduate students, and undergraduate students the opportunity for hands on APM experience using Meridium’s state-of-the-art software. (Under development phase now)