Introduction
Scientific Instrument Shop (SIS) designs, engineers and fabricates research-ready instruments that enable scientific discovery. Working collaboratively with investigators across the University of Illinois Chicago and beyond, our team functions as a research-focused machine shop, transforming experimental concepts into precise, manufacturable solutions through integrated mechanical design, prototyping, machining, electronics integration and custom fabrication.
Whether developing new apparatus, adapting commercial equipment or producing repeatable laboratory instrumentation, SIS provides reliable end-to-end engineering support tailored to each project’s technical requirements, timeline and budget. Our capabilities include custom machining, prototype development and scientific equipment fabrication for academic and research applications.
As a university machine shop supporting research, SIS helps bridge the gap between concept and execution – delivering functional, high-precision systems built for real-world experimentation.
All new project requests are submitted through iLab.
University Research Machine Shop in Chicago
The Scientific Instrument Shop (SIS) operates as a university research machine shop in Chicago, supporting faculty researchers, graduate students, research labs, and academic collaborators with custom machining, fabrication, prototyping, and scientific instrument development.
SIS helps transform experimental concepts into research-ready instruments through mechanical design, precision machining, prototype development, material selection, assembly, and fabrication support.
Core Director
Research Resources Center Cores
Research Resources Center
Meet the Research Resources Center
The Research Resources Center (RRC) is part of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Illinois Chicago. The RRC offers research faculty, staff, and students a diverse inventory of high-end scientific equipment as well as a wide range of services offered by 18 core facilities staffed with highly skilled scientists. In addition, our staff trains the research faculty, staff and students to use the scientific equipment. Through the RRC, researchers also have access to statistical and computational support for data handling, data transfer, and interpretation of experimental results. The RRC Scientific Store supports research on campus by supplying over 1300 items while Scientific Instrument Shop can fabricate one-of-a-kind models and repair complex scientific equipment. The RRC also welcomes external users doing scientific research.