Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12

Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12

Building tomorrow’s innovators

As Arizona continues to grow as a hub for manufacturing advancement, the need for a dedicated interdisciplinary research and teaching space at Arizona State University has become clear.

That vision came to life in fall 2025 with the opening of the Interdisciplinary Science and Technology Building 12, or ISTB 12, on the ASU Polytechnic campus.

Spanning more than 170,000 square feet, ISTB 12 is a hub for education and industry collaboration. It houses both the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks and The Polytechnic School — both part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU. The building is also the newest addition to the ASU Polytechnic Innovation Zone.

The facility supports teaching and research in fields such as machining, robotics and automation, semiconductor manufacturing and clean energy systems. Across its three stories are specialized labs, a 200-seat lecture hall, classrooms and collaborative spaces that bring together students, faculty,  industry and community partners to advance research and innovation that will power the future.

The new ISTB 12 building serves as a central hub for advancing
transdisciplinary work in
manufacturing and robotics at ASU.

Binil StarlySchool director and Fulton Schools professor of manufacturing

How does ISTB12 stand out?

Clean room in ISTB12

Three-story, 173,194 sq. ft. facility with a 200-seat lecture hall, multiple 60-seat classrooms and dedicated collaborative spaces.

The courtyard of ISTB12

Sustainability features include rainwater collection for landscaping, solar-ready infrastructure and on track to achieve LEED certification.

A lab in ISTB12.

Laboratoriesthat support research, innovation and workforce development in advanced manufacturing, robotics and artificial intelligence, or AI.

Take a look at the labs

  • Class 10,000 Clean Room, Room 112V1. A cleanroom environment with bright yellow-orange filtered lighting, empty stainless steel worktables and ergonomic chairs. Large viewing windows and a sealed environment highlight contamination-controlled workspace.
    The Class 10,000 Clean Room provides a plug-and-play environment for developing, testing and validating integrated energy technologies at grid scale, supporting innovation in advanced power systems and sustainable energy solutions.
  • High-Bay Collaborative Space, Room 125. A high-bay workshop with large vehicles, including a black Ford Mustang Mach-E and a partially disassembled white Tesla. Autonomous vehicle research equipment and small robotic platforms with electronics are also visible in the space.
    The High Bay Collaborative Space explores electric and automated vehicle research, emphasizing powertrain optimization, safety control and digital twins, integrating expertise from The Polytechnic School and the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks.
  • Hybrid and Multi-Material Manufacturing Lab, Room 129. A robotics lab with large FANUC yellow robotic arms, placed near worktables and a partitioned office space. The environment is designed for testing hybrid and multi-material manufacturing systems.
    The Hybrid and Multi-Material Manufacturing Lab advances large multi-robot collaboration, robot-integrated manufacturing and smart machining, enabling composite fabrication, hybrid alloys and adaptive production for next-generation factories and advanced manufacturing applications.
  • Robotics Systems Instructional Lab, Room 231. A robotics instructional lab with a FANUC ER-4iA robotic arm fitted with a gripper and camera system. The workspace includes automated assembly machinery and surrounding workbenches in a clean, industrial environment.
    The Robotic Systems Instructional Lab equips students with hands-on expertise in automation design, industrial integration, robotics fundamentals and system dynamics, preparing them to design, simulate and optimize modern industrial and robotic systems.
  • Reactive Material 3D Printing Lab, Room 135. A lab with specialized equipment for handling reactive materials, including a fume hood, gas tanks, emergency safety shower and fire extinguisher. Exposed mechanical systems and high-grade machinery indicate use for advanced 3D printing research.
    The Reactive Material 3D Printing Lab pioneers multi-material metal printing, physics-informed machine learning and ultra-high temperature composites, enabling advanced aerospace, robotics, electronics and hypersonic applications with integrated functionality and durability.
  • Robotics Systems Lab, Room 120. A spacious robotics and autonomous systems workshop with open workbenches, robotic equipment and a partially assembled electric bike. Students are seen working at computer stations while robotic arms and test rigs occupy the space.
    The Robotics and Autonomous Systems Lab advances eco-robotics, human-robot interaction, intelligent wearables and multi-agent systems, developing AI-driven technologies for ecological monitoring, manufacturing and autonomous collaboration in complex environments.
  • Materials Testing and Characterization Lab, Room 153. A materials testing lab featuring precision instruments such as an Instron mechanical testing machine and a Malvern analyzer. Workbenches, computers and specialized measurement equipment line the room.
    The Materials Testing and Characterization Lab provides advanced instruments such as 3D X-ray tomography, diffractometry, rheology and particle analysis to support materials research, quality control, design validation and manufacturing optimization.
  • Advanced Battery Lab, Room 141. A white desk with an enclosed testing area for experimenting with various battery materials.
    Advanced Battery Lab explores clean energy conversion, storage and process intensification through research on charge transport, solid-state batteries, hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, material discovery, medical applications, production innovation and environmental resource recovery.
  • Additive Manufacturing Instructional Lab, Room 220. A modern instructional lab space with large worktables, green chairs and exposed industrial ceilings. 3D printed parts are displayed on the window sill, and the room is set up for collaborative teaching and hands-on prototyping.
    The Additive Manufacturing Instructional Lab builds proficiency in various workflows, design-for-additive strategies and digital product design, enabling learners to model, optimize and simulate complex components for advanced digital fabrication and system-level performance.
  • Clean Energy Systems Lab, Room 150. An engineering lab filled with workbenches, electronic testing equipment, oscilloscopes and monitors. A student works on a laptop surrounded by wires, tools and power supplies, with overhead utility lines and mounted exhaust arms.
    The Clean Energy Systems Lab advances power electronic systems through topology, magnetics, modeling, control and optimization for AI-driven converter design, defense, space, grid integration, computing, avionics, modulation and transportation electrification.

Fun fact, this project required:

790 tons

of rebar, equivalent to the weight of four fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes.

470,000 ft.

of electrical wire, equaling 16 times the height of Mount Everest.

800,000 ft.

of data cable — the same length as a cable from the heart of ASU all the way up to the Grand Canyon.

Your philanthropic support will help elevate the Polytechnic campus and advance manufacturing and robotics research for the entire ASU community.

Why show support?

Our faculty teach at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, robotics, autonomous systems and AI. Support through donations and naming opportunities directly fuels the school’s mission by:

  • Driving faculty research and funding discoveries that spark innovation.
  • Enhancing curricula to prepare tomorrow’s manufacturing and robotics workforce.
  • Equipping the next generation of engineers through hands-on coursework, academic events and research experiences.
  • Expanding graduate opportunities with research and teaching assistantships that prepare students for R&D careers.
  • Recruiting top faculty.
  • Strengthening ASU’s role in advancing Arizona and the East Valley.
  • Supporting student competitions, guest lectures from esteemed leaders and collaborative industry events.
  • Supplying our laboratories with advanced equipment and expert mentorship.

Transform learning into legacy

ISTB12 offers exceptional naming opportunities for classrooms, labs, office suites and interdisciplinary spaces that can be dedicated in honor of individuals, companies, mentors or loved ones.

Naming a space is more than recognition. It embeds your story or the story of someone meaningful to you into the foundation of advanced manufacturing education, inspiring future generations.

Interested in naming opportunities?

Gifts of $50,000 or more will be recognized on a digital wall in prominent locations within ISTB 12.

Jennifer Williams

Jennifer Williams

Director of development

Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

Learn more about naming opportunities