AICTE IDEA (Idea Development, Evaluation & Application) Lab @ SOA"Step in with an idea, Step out with a prototype or product."
Overview
The AICTE IDEA Lab at Siksha 'O' Anusandhan is a premier common facility established to foster a culture of innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the mission of Atmanirbhar Bharat, our lab encourages students to apply STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fundamentals through hands-on experience and "learning by doing".
The lab serves as a "Digital Factory" where learners are encouraged to explore, experiment, and innovate without the bounds of rigid curriculum structures. To support unrestricted creativity, the facility is accessible 24x7 to students, faculty, and industry researchers.
Vision & Mission
Vision: To serve as a regional hub for developing an ecosystem that transforms the innovative ideas of young minds into tangible products through holistic knowledge and multidisciplinary research.
Mission:
Provide all state-of-the-art facilities under one roof for the rapid transformation of ideas into prototypes.
Equip graduates with 21st-century skills including critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Bridge the gap between academia and industry through consultancy and professional skilling programs.
Core Facilities & Specialized Sections
Spanning over 5,000 sq. ft., the AICTE IDEA Lab is strategically divided into three specialized research and development zones to support multidisciplinary engineering projects.
PCB Design & Fabrication Lab: This lab is a dedicated space designed to foster innovation in electronics and embedded systems. It features state-of-the-art equipment for the entire circuit development lifecycle, including PCB milling machines, artwork film makers, etching units, and curing ovens. For rigorous testing and validation, the lab is equipped with mixed-signal oscilloscopes, digital storage oscilloscopes, signal generators, and high-end soldering/rework stations.
Digital Manufacturing Lab: Functioning as an advanced prototyping hub, this section specializes in additive manufacturing and high-precision structural fabrication. It houses premium FDM and SLA 3D printers, resin wash-and-cure stations, and handheld 3D scanners for reverse engineering. The facility also integrates heavy machinery for subtractive manufacturing, such as CNC wood routers, CO2 laser engraving/cutting machines, vinyl cutters, and desktop lathe-cum-milling centers.
IoT, AI & Robotics Research Lab (IARR Lab): This zone focuses on developing intelligent automation and solving real-world industrial challenges through cutting-edge research. It is equipped with 6 DOF robotic arms, quadcopter drone assembly kits, and AI/ML modules. Researchers utilize a comprehensive range of development boards, including Arduino (Uno/Nano/Mega), Raspberry Pi (Model 4B/5), and ESP32 NodeMCU frameworks, supported by an extensive repository of sensors and actuators.
The IDEA Lab Team
Our lab is managed by a dedicated team of mentors and technical experts as per AICTE norms:
Chief Mentor: Prof. (Dr.) P. K. Nanda, Vice Chancellor, Head of the Institution.
Coordinator: Dr. Biswaranjan Swain, Lead faculty for lab operations.
Co-Coordinator: Dr. Shaktijeet Mahapatra, Lead faculty for lab operations.
Tech Gurus: Expert faculty and technicians from Mechanical, Computer Science and Electronics backgrounds who facilitate project execution.
Student Ambassadors: Dynamic senior students who assist peers in the innovation process.
Join the Movement
Be Part of the AICTE IDEA Lab Journey : Embrace Innovation: If you are passionate about creativity, exploration, and making a significant impact, the IDEA Lab is your platform to innovate and excel. Discover how you can join us on this exciting journey.
