Houston-based Carbtex Technology wins 2013 R&D 100 Award for Diamondown™, a high-tech Thermal Clothing

HOUSTON, Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Locally-based Carbtex Technology, Inc., has received an R&D 100 Award for Diamondown™, a high-tech carbon-based fiber that is used to produce an affordable comfort management clothing system. The awards are presented by R&D Magazine to recognize and celebrate the 100 most technologically significant products introduced in the past year.

Diamondown™ is made from yarn and fabrics containing Dr. McCullough's patented Carbtex® Fiber, a flexible bi-regional carbonaceous fiber, used for clothing as well as thermal shield. By blocking conductive and convective heat as well as radiant energy transfer, this innovative system doubles the thermal resistance of any other polymer or natural product insulation. This makes Diamondown™ superior to all other insulated gear on the market and, in fact, the first innovation in comfort management clothing since the 1970s.

"We're honored to receive such an Award," said Dr. Frank McCullough who led the development of the fiber technology. "We're especially proud to have filled the gap between extreme outdoor clothing and lack of comfortableness. We tested the product with hunters, military officers, skiers and the famous Alaskan Iditarod, exposing the gear to temperatures as low as -50 F, high winds, and extreme usage. They were all astonished by its quality, durability and comfort."

With its 2-layer unique system, Diamondown™ allows no-bulk lightweight comfort and shows effectiveness over wide ranges of temperatures.  Its special comfort management technology retains 91% of body heat and prevents accumulation of perspiration using Microevaporative™ cooling, providing breathability and comfort even at room temperature.  Some of the testing was done at the Textile Research facility at Auburn University's Department of Polymer & Fiber Engineering under the direction of Professor David M. Hall, and where Dr. McCullough is also Adjunct Professor.

Previously, Dr. McCullough has led the development of four other advanced material technologies that received R&D 100 Awards.  These previous awards include Curlon® aircraft insulation, NuGard™ cut resistant hand and arm protection, light weight FR clothing for firefighters and electric plasma arc protective clothing.

Diamondown™ thermal clothing collection can be purchased online at www.diamondown.com and includes underwear sets, sportswear, working clothes, as well as sports accessories.  Tests conducted on the products have shown that Diamondown™ has superior washability, resistance to shrinkage even at elevated temperatures and self-drying capability during usage. In addition, several leading manufacturers of performance outdoor apparel are already testing Diamondown™ for inclusion of the fabric into their product lines.

Carbtex Technology, Inc. is a Houston Technology Center Incubation Client, at the HTC-JSC Campus at Johnson Space Center. To learn more about Diamondown™ and read product reviews, visit www.diamondown.com.  

About Carbtex Technology, Inc.
Based within the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Carbtex Technology, Inc. was founded in 2008. 
Carbtex Technology, Inc. has exclusive, worldwide rights for all thermal applications of the Carbtex® Fiber technology invented by Dr. Frank McCullough, which are part of a patent portfolio owned by Ashburn Hill Corp. and its parent company Invista.  Carbtex Technology, Inc. is a client of Houston Technology Center-JSC Campus.

About Houston Technology Center
Named by Forbes' as one of "Ten Technology Incubators Changing the World", and one of "Twelve Business Incubators Changing the World," the Houston Technology Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a business accelerator and the largest technology business incubator in Texas, advancing the commercialization of emerging technology companies in the greater Houston area. As a catalyst for change, economic growth and development, HTC's focus is to assist entrepreneurs within several key sectors: energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology, and NASA/aerospace. For more information visit www.HoustonTech.org or connect with HTC on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter @HouTechCenter.

SOURCE Carbtex Technology, Inc.