North Carolina State University

The Laboratory for Integrated Manufacturing Science & Technology (L-IMST) grew out of the need to insert new technologies into maintenance practices on aging military platforms and civilian structures. Using next-generation technologies to meet the urgent need for producing parts faster and cheaper than traditional methods goes to the roots of our operation. Now, as our business expands, the significance of "M" extends beyond maintenance science into a multiplicity of meanings. "M-Science" encompasses ...

  • Maintenance
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Mechanical
  • Military

Who We Are

The Laboratory for Integrated Manufacturing Science & Technology (L-IMST) is part of North Carolina State University and was founded in 2005. Its mission is to promote economic development by leveraging the resources of North Carolina State University to enable partnerships among industry, the military, and the University and Community College Systems in the State of North Carolina.

Chief technical thrusts now include reverse engineering, near-net-shape parts on demand, structural health monitoring using sensors, wireless communications, and non-destructive test methods.

What We Do

Manufacturing Processes:

Agile Manufacturing, Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Manufacturing, Reverse Engineering, Atmospheric Plasma to Enhance Production of Fuel from Renewable Sources, Coating and Thin Film Processing

Materials Characterization and Testing:

Materials Characterization, Nondestructive Testing, Characterization and Reuse of Recycled Carbon Fiber

Failure Analysis:

Highly Accelerated Life Testing, Crack Detection, Vibration Fatigue Analysis, Contamination Identification, Corrosion Analysis

Applying Theory to Develop Solutions in Aircraft Engineering Maintenance:

Atmospheric Plasma for Paint Removal and Decontamination, Hexavalent Chrome Mitigation

Partnerships

We believe the best way to solve problems, create opportunities, and bring about economic development is by forming synergistic partnerships, bringing the best available people and resources together to develop and implement innovative solutions. L-IMST provides a framework for interdisciplinary interaction across the many Departments and Colleges of NC State, the UNC System, and the NC Community College System as well as for collaboration with the military and commercial sectors. We actively seek such partnerships and invite you to contact us so that we can explore opportunities together.