Director's Welcome

Texas Tech University officially established the Institute for Materials, Manufacturing, and Sustainment (IMMS) in October 2016 to fuel TTU's growth and meet the scientific and technological demands of Texas, the nation, and the world. IMMS was founded on the principles of discovery, innovation, and transition. The Institute embraces, encourages, and cultivates opportunities to venture into unknown, unexplored areas, transforming perceived impossibilities into scientific realities. IMMS trains and prepares the next generation of world-class scientists and engineers to achieve breakthrough scientific results for the benefit of humankind. Additionally, IMMS creates pathways and inspires students' entrepreneurial minds and ambitions to support the nation's economic growth.

To date, IMMS senior research staff members have mentored nearly 700 graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and junior visiting professors.

As the IMMS Director, I invite you to visit Lubbock, Texas, to establish collaborations and partnerships with Texas Tech University as we jointly explore undiscovered scientific frontiers and futuristic technologies for the benefit of humankind.

Go Raiders!

Dy D. Le, Director
NAI Senior Member
Research & Innovation

Director's Bio Highlights

• Inducted as a Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors in 2026.
• Recognized nationally and internationally in the fields of: aviation health monitoring, condition-based monitoring, intelligent sensing, fatigue and damage tolerance, fracture mechanics, and computation. U.S. Presidential Recognition Recipient. 
• Served as researcher, program manager, and division chief for the Naval Air Warfare Center, Federal Aviation Administration, and U.S. Army Research Laboratory for a total of 31 years addressing a wide range of science and technology challenges.
• Architect of the "Virtual Risk-informed Agile Maneuver Sustainment" or VRAMS concept, which aims at providing a futuristic capability to sustain Unmanned Aerial Systems and future vertical lift with little or "zero-maintenance".
• Completed military pilot training at Lackland Air Force Base and Fort Rucker and served during the Vietnam War from 1972-1975.

Director's Complete Bio