3TEX Partners With GE Aircraft & NASA Glenn in NC A&T Study.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK AREA, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2001

National Science Foundation Study to Target Space, Aircraft, and

Automobile Industries

3TEX, Inc. (www.3TEX.com), a world leader in designing and developing revolutionary 3D fabrics and composites, announced today it has been selected to participate in a major National Science Foundation project being led by North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T).

The other participants are General Electric's Aircraft Engine Group (GEAE) in Cincinnati, OH and NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, OH. The study is researching next-generation composite applications using NC A&T's patented low cost resin transfer molding (RTM) based carbon/carbon composites (CCC) technology.

"Obviously, we are very honored to be selected along with the GE Aircraft Engine Group and the NASA Glenn Research Center," said Brad Lienhart, 3TEX CEO. "This shows how far 3TEX has come in this very competitive industry." 3TEX's core technology was developed in the 1990's at North Carolina State University's College of Textiles. Under a NASA sponsored research program at the University's Mars Mission Research Center, Dr. Mansour Mohamed, founder and current Chairman of 3TEX, and his colleagues invented a unique method of weaving three-dimensional fiber architectures.

NC A&T's resin transfer technology has a number of significant commercial applications including, low cost CCC piston valve for internal combustion (IC) engines, low cost CCC bearing cages for high speed engines, and CCC ion thrusters. 3TEX, Inc. will research applications of the technology in the area of single-piece internal combustion engine pistons and will allow NC A&T to use some of the company's proprietary technology in the university's laboratories.

GE Aircraft Engines is based in Cincinnati, Ohio and is the world's leading manufacturer of military and commercial aircraft jet engines. The company produces and services large and small jet engines for airlines, charter and leasing companies, and military aircraft. GE also supplies marine and industrial engines based on the company's successful jet engine designs and provides extensive aviation services. The Bearings, Seals and Drives Division, which is the lead group in the National Science Foundation study, is a part of General Electric's Aircraft Engine Group.

The NASA Glenn Research Center (NASA GRC) is based in Cleveland, Ohio and is NASA's center for excellence for propulsion technology. The work of the Center is directed toward new propulsion, power, and communications technologies for application to aeronautics and space, so that U.S. leadership in these areas is ensured. To that end, NASA Glenn has developed a set of core competencies in which it conducts world-class research to develop and transfer technology to U.S. industry. The Center's aeropropulsion program plays a significant role in the Agency's goals to promote economic growth and national security through safe, superior, and environmentally compatible U.S. civil and military aircraft propulsion systems.

About 3TEX, Inc.

Based in the Research Triangle Park Area, NC, 3TEX is a world leader in designing and developing revolutionary 3-D fabrics and composites. A spin-off from N.C. State University, 3TEX has design, product development, and production facilities in Cary and Rutherfordton, NC. With strategic alliances in place with technology centers and Universities around the world, and more than half a dozen revolutionary design patents approved or pending, 3TEX is developing next generation materials that are stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum. 3TEX was recently featured in Fortune magazine and was named a "50 to Watch" technology firm by LocalBusiness.com.