From Innovation Lab to Innovation Hub: Creativity, Happening Now
New spaces. New equipment. New programs. New opportunities.
From an inspiration to a sketch; from a first attempt to a prototype; and from a prototype to a work that can truly be seen, used, and shared. This is Innovation Hub — a cross-disciplinary innovation and maker platform open to the entire Duke Kunshan University (DKU) campus. Whatever your major — or even if you only have a “let me give it a try” idea — you can find the space, tools, knowledge, and partners here to turn ideas into reality step by step.
More than a laboratory, Innovation Hub is DKU’s campus-wide innovation infrastructure: a place to build, use professional equipment, join workshops and challenges, find project partners, and launch your own projects with students from different disciplines. Here, innovation has no threshold, and creation has no limits.
01 | Space Upgrade — Four Studios, From Digital Creation to Physical Making
Open Studio (LIB 1029) — Collaboration & Low-Risk Making: an open shared innovation space supporting group discussion, idea exchange, project showcases, and low-risk making — from brainstorming and concept design to early prototyping.
Fab Studio (LIB 1028) — Digital Fabrication & Prototyping: a professional digital-fabrication space supporting 3D printing, laser cutting, PCB soldering, CNC machining, and power tools — where digital models become physical prototypes. Access is limited to users who have completed the required training.
Dark Studio (LIB 1023) — Controlled Materials & Process Space: a controlled-use space for processes involving specific materials and higher safety requirements. All entry and operations must follow Innovation Hub’s safety management protocols.
Digital Studio (IB 2049) — Digital Creation & Interactive Media: professional space and technical support for game engines, AR/VR, motion capture, interactive media, film and visual design, and software and website development.
02 | Equipment Upgrade — Stronger Making Power, Richer Technical Possibilities
-
Advanced 3D printing — new Bambu Lab H2C: multi-color single-piece printing, engineering-grade materials, and a more efficient printing experience for complex structures and functional prototypes; resin printing fully upgraded with a new HeyGears resin printer joining the existing Formlabs machines (finer detail, complex models, high surface quality);
-
Desktop CNC: multi-material processing for mechanical structures, functional parts, enclosures, interactive installations, and product prototypes;
-
Smart hardware & robotics: Gemini336L stereo depth camera, Unitree 3D LiDAR depth camera, Jetson Orin Nano Super development board, and drone development kits — supporting robotics vision, spatial perception, drone, and smart-vehicle projects.
03 | Program Upgrade — From Joining a Workshop to Running Your Own Project
Makers On-Site: Co-Create Series (Upgraded): last academic year the program completed four themed projects — upcycling, interactive art installations, AI smart vehicles, and campus eco-sensing devices. The new version offers a better team-formation mechanism, richer themes, and more realistic challenges.
Making for Good | Social-Impact Manufacturing: connecting creativity, technology, and fabrication capacity with real social needs — practical, implementable, and sustainable solutions for specific people and real use cases. Expanding international funding and partner networks such as IEEE, and collaborating with local welfare institutes and public-welfare organizations. Current themes: Rural Children Support; Accessibility & Inclusive Design; Community & Public Utility.
Oasis — Student-Led Project & Team Development Program: funding, equipment, space, mentors, technical resources, and project support for long-term projects. The DKU RoboMaster team has been established; welcomes students interested in robotics, drones, smart cars, open-source hardware, competitions, and long-term tech teams.
M2F | Maker to Founder Program: full-process support from idea to validation and from prototype to application — user research, product development, prototype iteration, user testing, market validation, and business-model exploration, backed by funding, mentorship, space and equipment, commercialization guidance, and showcase opportunities.
04 | Support Upgrade — From “I Don’t Know How” to “Someone Will Guide You”
Regular open hours & training: Open House, Lab Tours, Safety Training, and Technical Workshops help students get to know InHub, the equipment, and the tools.
Knowledge exchange & community sharing: themed challenges, interdisciplinary projects, hackathons, industry-academia co-creation, a creative-technology accelerator, online tutorials, social events, skill-sharing, and peer-led workshops.
Mentors & external resources: a growing network of industry mentors and partners covering technology, creative design, product development, business pathways, and legal & compliance.
Improved project-support mechanism: from project application and resource matching to process management, outcome showcase, and follow-up development — a clearer growth path for student projects.
Welcome to the New Innovation Hub
Innovation Hub connects space and equipment, technology and knowledge, students and mentors, and creativity with the real world. Innovation has no threshold; creation has no limits. Join us, and let every idea have a chance to become reality!
Access: Innovation Hub Portal (QR in images below) | Innovation Hub Official Account (WeChat) | Website: https://ine.dukekunshan.edu.cn/innovation-lab/overview/
