Autodesk Technology Engagement Center
Welcome to the Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (ATEC), a new beacon of innovation and transformation at CSUN. Designed by the renowned architectural firm AC Martin, this two-story, 32,000-square-foot facility is set to open in the summer of 2025.
ATEC is dedicated to bridging the equity gap in STEM education and inspiring students from our diverse communities to pursue careers in innovation. Our College of Engineering & Computer Science is among the largest in the country with more than 5,600 students.
With a shortage of talent in state and national STEM workforces, ATEC’s six high-tech labs will leverage advanced research in design, manufacturing, emerging technologies, smart materials, artificial intelligence, data science, and more. Our goal is to prepare students to become future industry leaders and disruptors who will impact industries nationally and globally.
We invite industry partners and philanthropic visionaries to join this public-private collaboration by investing in cutting-edge equipment and technology for the ATEC Labs. Your investment will benefit our communities and workforce—and elevate each student and their families—by building a brighter and more equitable future for us all.
Together, we can push the boundaries of engineering and computer science to make a lasting difference.
Each of the labs listed below, as well as collaboration spaces, come with recognition opportunities for investors.
For more information, please contact:
Suren Seropian (’88)
Senior Director of Development, College of Engineering & Computer Science
Office: (818) 677-3850
Email: suren.seropian@csun.edu
The ATEC Labs
“I envision engineering students working with business students and students from the humanities, breaking down the silos that traditionally exist between disciplines to create something new—using their imagination and their education to work collaboratively to create something we don’t know we need now, but will in 10, 15, 20 years.”
Houssam Toutanji, Ph.D., Dean, College of Engineering & Computer Science
High Bay Structural Test Lab
The High Bay Structural Test Lab enables comprehensive mechanical validation testing under one adaptable roof, empowering researchers to replicate real-world conditions and push structural components up to failure. The 1,100 square foot lab has central capabilities including a 15-ton overhead crane and 20-foot reaction wall to load test articles; a strong floor retrofitted with threaded inserts to secure custom test rigs; environmental chambers providing controlled temperature and humidity; concrete batch, curing, and standardized test apparatus; and hydraulic actuator systems paired with data acquisition tools.
Material Structure and Properties Lab
The Material Structure and Properties Lab provides a hands-on learning space complete with state-of-the-art equipment, where students will be able to conduct a wide range of tests on metals, concrete, and advanced materials through the state-of-the-art Instron and MTS testing machines. These kinds of tests will allow students to gather essential data with wireless LVDTs, data loggers, and instrumentation for specimen prep and analysis in the laboratory. This lab will provide different testing capabilities under one roof to enhance capacity for practical experiential learning, enabling researchers and students alike to study material properties and performance through robust mechanical testing regimes.
Design Digital/Capture/Augmented Reality Lab
The Design Digital/Capture/Augmented Reality (AR) Lab provides the versatile infrastructure to explore digital media, networking, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cybersecurity all within one central location. The main room features six high-end workstations, collaboration tables, group study areas with widescreen monitors, a reconfigurable LED digital wall for simulations, and Virtual Reality (VR)/AR demonstrations without goggles. A separate server room houses high-performance computing capability to enable smooth instances for all users. Workstation space offers a cybersecurity-focused setup with isolated networking and internet connectivity tailored for projects and competitions such as capture the flag and wargames. With robust computing muscle and dynamic presentation capabilities combined under one roof, this lab empowers the next generation of students to shape technology from Artificial Intelligence to Extended Reality firsthand through a digitally driven approach.
Additive Manufacturing and Reverse Engineering Lab
The Additive Manufacturing and Reverse Engineering Lab will provide an innovative space for students and faculty to experiment with emerging fabrication techniques. By having access to 3D modeling tools like AutoCAD, SolidWorks and Fusion 360 on dedicated computers, researchers and students will be able to bring their creations to life with the latest software along with state-of-the-art 3D printers, resin transfer molding equipment, surface finishing/coating tools, material mixing stations and 3D scanners. With comprehensive digital design and hands-on fabrication capabilities under one roof, this lab empowers the next generation of innovators with an agile infrastructure to rapidly iterate and test concepts firsthand. Here, multi-disciplinary teams can learn through experience, collaboratively exploring and validating ideas that have the potential to shape the future.
Emerging Advanced Materials Labs
The Emerging Advanced Materials Lab’s job is to provide the community the ability to innovate through its cutting-edge infrastructure, enabling students and researchers alike to push boundaries in polymers, composites, metals, and pioneering processing techniques. The latest cutting-edge additive manufacturing systems, injection molding, ovens, hot press, mixing stations, and sputter coating equipment will be provided to users within the lab; alongside traditional tools for composites fabrication, polishing, and cutting. With versatile, high-end capabilities under one roof, researchers can enhance the quality of materials, reduce potential costs, and develop next-generation materials. As a research and development launchpad for both industry and government, the lab will receive continuous upgrades for our suite of advanced equipment to support impactful partnerships. Students also access practical learning through participation in diverse materials research and educational projects, getting hands-on experience by bringing these advanced materials to life.
Incubator Project Research Lab
The Incubator Project Research Lab's mission is to create a collaborative space empowering faculty and students to transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures. Within this lab, faculty and students will gain a pathway in which they’ll have access to tech-enabled brainstorming areas or be able to leverage adjacent prototyping labs to refine concepts into workable business prospects. A wet lab component will be provided to accommodate projects needing more specialized infrastructure alongside the lab’s supplementary programming. Student teams can connect with industry partners to transform napkin sketches into real-world startups. With dynamic presentation facilities complemented by versatile build spaces under one roof, aspiring entrepreneurs can refine proofs of concept into minimum viable products, ensuring they’re primed to secure funding for full commercial rollout.
Watch Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost and Dean Houssam Toutanji as they share their excitement about the upcoming Autodesk Technology Engagement Center, and how this groundbreaking facility will transform engineering education, inspire students to push the boundaries of current technology, and empower the next generation of innovators.