nLab Aims to Cram a Power Supply, Oscilloscope, and Function Generator Onto Your Breadboard

Actress, prop-maker, engineer, and Imagineer Angie Mercurio is aiming to make engineering education easier, more accessible, and considerably more compact with the nLab — billed as the world's smallest electronics lab, and designed to sit at the head of a solderless breadboard.

"nLab replaces a desk full of bulky equipment with a professional electronics lab that fits in your pocket," Mercurio writes of the device. "In college, I was a frustrated engineering student trying to learn electronics with tools designed in the 1970s. Everything changed when I picked up the nLab prototype — for the first time, I could actually see electricity. That confidence took me from the classroom to my dream job working on world-class robots and attractions at Disney Imagineering. Now, I've returned to nLab as CEO because I want to give everyone that same 'aha moment' that launched my career."

The nLab is designed to sit atop a solderless breadboard, directly replacing three key components: a power supply, an oscilloscope, and a function generator. A companion app means it doesn't need a screen, while a bundled starter kit comes with 200 components and plans for 12 guided projects — with four already filmed as video tutorials. Projects featured include a heartbeat monitor with oscilloscope and LED readouts, a climate sensor, and a game with controller.

While primarily targeting those new to electronics, the nLab is also positioned as an ideal accessory for those already building with microcontrollers and single-board computers. "If you already own an Arduino or Pi, nLab is your ultimate companion tool," Mercurio claims. "While your existing board handles the logic, nLab's built-in tools act as your 'eyes,' letting you see the signals moving through your wires in real time. It takes the guesswork out of troubleshooting, shrinking your debugging time from hours to minutes. Plus, nLab features a Python API [Application Programming Interface] so you can use it as a high-quality analog front-end directly with your Raspberry Pi."

The nLab is currently funding on Kickstarter, with pricing starting at $169 for "early bird" backers of the standard kit, which includes the nLab board, solderless breadboard, wire-strippers, solid-core wire, and assorted components including light sensors, potentiometers, amplifiers and a speaker, microphone, LEDs, and timers. Hardware is expected to begin shipping in December this year, though as with all crowdfunding campaigns fulfillment is not guaranteed.