2008 Site Review
Location:
3TEX
Rutherfordton, NC
Date:
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time:
3:30 – 5:15 p.m.
Goals:
 Understand the importance of the technical textiles industry to North Carolina’s economy – the
products it produces and the jobs it creates
 Appreciate the economic development outgrowth from NCSU research activities into an
expansive high-tech corporation with an international market
 Witness the impact that NC State Textiles research and extension have on the military, boating,
and construction industries.
The CINC tour will visit 3TEX Inc., a world leader in research, development and manufacturing of 3dimensional engineered fiber performs for composite products. The faculty will see how three-dimensional
woven fabrics are manufactured and applications of these unique technical textiles. 3TEX, whose headquarters
are located in suburban Cary, was profiled in Forbes magazine as inventors of a novel way of weaving synthetic
fibers by “adding resin results in a fabric tough enough to stop armor-piercing shells or to form the basis of I
beams, truck bumpers and boat hulls.”i “Carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass or ceramic fibers are woven on the weft,
warp, and Z (thickness) direction, and then impregnated with polymer resin, ceramic, or metal and hardened to
produce stable, preformed structures that can be steel.”ii
Professor Emeritus Mansour Mohamed patented the three-dimensional weaving systems that produce
lightweight, superstrong, high-performance textile composites that are used in marine, defense, cars, planes, and
in the aerospace industry. His research led him to start a company called 3TEX, which produces and markets the
products. Mohamed originally developed the technology in the late-1980s for NASA's Mars Mission Research
Center at NC State. ii “But because NASA did not restrict patenting of the idea, after receiving the patent,
Mohamed licensed the technology from NC State and launched 3TEX in 1996 with $15 million from private
equity investors.”i
The office of the director of NC State's Office of Technology Transfer and Industry Research (OTTIR) played a
major supporting role in launching 3TEX. Mark Crowell, director of OTTIR, said, "the start-up company
underscores NC State's commitment to help move important discoveries from the laboratory to the
marketplace."ii
3TEX currently holds nine patents with five patents pending. iii In 2006, 3TEX won $2.6 million of US
Congressional funding for an innovative defense project. The $2.6 million was awarded to 3TEX for research
and development of defense-related products.iii 3TEX also received $4.0million for 2007 and $2.00 million for
2008.
These funds were appropriated to 3TEX to develop lightweight ballistic and blast protection systems in its
Rutherfordton facilities. The technical textile products developed will be used for the design and implementation
of unique composite vehicle armor that will provide greater protection for combat vehicles without adding
weight or diminishing performance.iii
NC State College of Textiles Alumni and Emeritus Researchers: iii
Dr. Mansour Mohamed:
Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, 3TEX, Inc. (Cary, North Carolina). Dr. Mohamed is the Burlington Distinguished
Professor Emeritus of Textile Engineering and until March 1998 was head of the Department of Textile Engineering,
Chemistry, and Science at NC State's College of Textiles. He was also a member of The Mars Mission Research Center
faculty. Dr. Mohamed has been recognized worldwide as an expert on weaving technology, woven and non-woven fabrics,
and three-dimensional weaving with consulting in Egypt, Taiwan, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Morocco, Germany, as well as
the United States. He has co-authored five books (three in Arabic and two in English) and over 100 technical publications.
His weaving book, published in 1973 and 1982, has become a reference book worldwide. He received a B.S. degree in
Mechanical Engineering from Alexandria University in 1959 and the Ph.D. in Textile Engineering from University of
Manchester, U.K in 1965. After teaching for four years at the Textile Engineering Department of Alexandria University,
Egypt, he joined the faculty of the College of Textiles at NC State University in 1969.
Ms. Grey Chapman:
Grey holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering and Masters in Business Administration from NCSU. She holds a
patent related to soft body armor and has worked on a several government contracts developing armor products for the
military. She has eight years experience in engineering and marketing related to textile and composite materials with Martin
Marietta Composites and 3TEX.
Mr. Brad Dickinson:
Brad holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering and Masters of Science in Textile Engineering from NCSU. He
currently serves as the Technical Operations Manager for 3TEX. In this capacity, he is involved in the design and
implementation of new products, processes, and equipment.
Mr. Patrick W. Duke:
Patrick holds Master of Science in Textile Engineering from NCSU and B.S. in Textile Engineering from Auburn
University. Patrick previously designed and constructed the next generation commercial 3D weaving machines for 3TEX.
He returned to 3TEX after working in carbon-carbon aircraft brake research and development at Goodrich Corp. Patrick has
ten years experience in the fields of textile machinery.
Mr. Charles Gaylor:
Charles holds bachelors of Science in both Textile Technology and Textile Management from NCSU. He currently works
with 3TEX in a Corporate Administrative and Government Contracting role. He will be attending Campbell University
starting in the summer of 2008 to pursue his Master of Business Administration.
Dr. Keith Sharp:
Dr. Sharp received his B.S. in Aero and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University in 1982. After 10 years as an Air
Force pilot, he returned to NCSU graduate school and received his M.S. in Materials Science in 1995, and his Ph.D. in
Materials Science in 1998. Keith joined 3TEX in June 2004. He has 9 years of development experience in the areas powder
processing, systems integration, sensors, and electro-mechanical systems. Much of his development experience focused on
commercializing novel technologies.
Mr. Andrew Watson:
Andrew is a graduate of NCSU College of Management with Bachelors of Arts in both Accounting and Business
Management. He has over 14 years experience in the areas of Financial Operations and Management. He is currently
working as 3TEX Controller and Plant Manager.
Mr. Don Wigent:
Don holds a Masters in Materials Science Engineering from NCSU and a B.S. degree in Industrial Management from ECU.
He has 14 years experience in the development and design of commercial products ranging from automotive airbag modules
to sporting goods, and in largely government funded programs on advanced 3D reinforced composites. Don has been with
3TEX since 1999.
i
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2005/0523/130.html
ii
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/exhibits/patents/textiles.htm
iii
http://www.3tex.com