Most of us are working remotely as much as we can. Grad students have simulations and writing to do, and some coursework. Since courses have also gone remote, that works. Undergrad and Masters students have computer-based design or small experiments, things like collecting data from a sensor with an Arduino to get that final project done. The cleanroom is out of reach, but sensors, actuators, and other materials like this thermochromic coated wire are examples of low-cost and portable materials we are able to work with now. Later when the lab is open we might investigate this color-changing stretchable coating as a temperature-sensitive cladding for our stretchable optical fiber sensors.
Then there are the ECE 412 students (Embedded Systems). It is the first time the project-based course has been taught remotely. Embedded Systems students have portable setups consisting of microcontroller kits, electronic breadboards and a few components. They are able to do group work using shared text editors and apps. We have not yet figured out how to do the classic troubleshooting technique of swapping in a known-good part to a system that’s not working. Well, not quickly anyway.