Programming environments for software development in the iDEA Lab are primarily Java, C++, Delphi, C, and MatLab. The Unified Modeling Language (UML) is utilized as a standard for specification, visualization, and documentation.

Automation system modeling is supported by Delmia QUEST for 3D discrete event factory simulation on networked pc workstations operating under Windows XP with Cisco Aironet 1200 access points for 802.11a/b wireless connectivity.

Within the School of Engineering Science, design and simulation software available for use by students and researchers includes symbolic numerical manipulation (IMSL), kinematic simulators (Mechanical Advantage), finite element modeling and analysis (ANSYS), and electronic and mechanical CAD/CAM (OrCAD, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Personal Designer, Personal Machinist). A large selection of Sun, SGI, and Windows based workstations provide the compute power to run these packages.

Students in the iDEA Laboratory frequently conduct their research using the facilities of the Institute for Fuel Cell Innovation of the National Research Council of Canada, Vancouver.