Those parts have included things like turn-table stands to study the quantum properties of atom-thin sheets, flanges for ultracold vacuum chambers destined to house quantum materials for imaging and manipulations, and components for new laser setups. “It’s generally a lot of very small pieces to very complex, very cool systems,” said Clara Wilson, a staff engineer who joined Columbia last year from JILA to help re-invent the space.
For much of the 20th century, scientists had to build nearly everything for their experiments themselves, Columbia physicist Cory Dean explained, so university machine, woodworking, and even electrical shops were the norm. But over time, commercial vendors began popping up to supply specialized parts and pieces, and university support became less common.
Pupin Hall maintained a shop where a machinist would still make parts to…
