Current goals are from 36% to 59% toward meeting their
completion, while the goals in 2021 are expected to be from
54% to 73% toward meeting their completion.
The Next Five Years
Most research laboratories have had some level of systems
or equipment upgrades over the past five years (since 2011)
to make them more competitive in the marketplace, reduce
operating costs or replace outdated equipment. The most widely
noted upgrade according to several survey results has been the
implementation of new computer systems. These can involve
anything from the installation of a new supercomputer to new
operating systems for individual workstations, laptop upgrades
for researchers or higher resolution imaging systems.
Other lab enhancements over the past five years include
the installation of biosafety cabinets, and upgrades in analytical instruments, lighting systems and research staff. Lower
levels of improvements over the past five years involve the
addition of automation systems, networking systems, security systems and vivarium spaces.
The enhancements over the past five years involve rela-
tively traditional systems. Many of these are likely to see
continued growth over the next five years, including more
computer upgrades, sustainability-based reductions in
operating costs and the continued replacement of outdated
equipment and instrumentation. But enhanced sustainability
systems and devices are likely to also be seen included in the
research lab of 2021, according to the results of the recent
R&DMagazine and Laboratory Design survey. Included in
the research lab-based sustainable systems expected by 2012
are solar panels and wind turbine-based renewable energy
systems, chosen by the survey respondents as the most likely
sustainable feature to be installed in their 2021 research
laboratory (Chart 15). Many relatively new research labs
already have solar panels (mostly) or wind turbines (small
amount) installations in their research labs. This number will
increase, especially as federal regulations kick in over the next
several years and mandate their inclusion in government labs,
while influencing their installation in industrial research labs.
Other sustainable enhancements—in declining order of
implementation by 2021—include on-site waste management
systems (relatively few currently exist); water recycling systems;
co-generation power sources (a moderate number of expensive,
moderate efficiency systems currently exist); high-purity water
filtration systems; and carbon-neutral energy systems. About
75% of all research labs are expected to have some level of
sustainable upgrade by 2021 (with the systems noted in Chart
15) as highlighted in Chart 16.
While most research labs will have some level of sustain-
Other
Water recycling
Solar/wind power
On-site waste management
Natural water retention
Mobile casework
High-purity water filtration
Heat pump
Gas generators
Co-generation
Carbon-neutral
9%
9%
6%
5%
Chart 15 - What Sustainable Features Will You Implement
By 2021?
Yes, but at considerable cost
Yes, in some parts
No
25%
71%
4%
Chart 16 - Will Your Lab Have Sustainable Upgrades By 2021?
New/Renovated
Lab Built
Sustainable
Features
No Sustainable
Features
1 to 3 years 69% 31%
3 to 5 years 67% 33%
5 to 7 years 84% 16%
7 to 10 years 77% 23%
10 to 12 years 81% 19%
12 to 15 years 64% 36%
More than 15 years 77% 23%
1 to 3 years
0 5 10 15 20 25
25% 1 to 3 years
22% 3 to 5 years
18% 5 to 7 years
14% 7 to 10 years
6% 10 to 12 years
4% 12 to 15 years
11% More than 15 years
Chart 17 - When Do You Expect To Build A New/Renovated Lab?
Chart 18 - Will Your New Lab Have Sustainable Features?
