Molecular Rebar Design, a developer and manufacturer of innovative nanomaterials products and solutions, announced that Kurt Swogger (CEO) and Dr. Clive Bosnyak (CSO), are recipients of the prestigious “Inventor of the Year” award given by the Houston Intellectual Property Law Association for their development of their proprietary technology, MOLECULAR REBAR. Swogger and Bosnyak are co-founders of Molecular Rebar Design, LLC, a leading nanomaterial innovator, and hold five key U.S. patents for MOLECULAR REBAR.

MOLECULAR REBAR are discrete, open ended, and highly functionalized multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are free from catalysts and waste matter.  The technology is a scientific breakthrough providing opportunities for development and commercialization of innovative new materials for a wide variety of products and market segments.  The addition of MOLECULAR REBAR to materials significantly enhances mechanical, physical, transport and electromagnetic properties.

Commenting on the award, Swogger stated, “Clive and I are very pleased and honored that the Houston Intellectual Property Law Association has recognized our work related to creating more value from carbon nanotubes.  MOLECULAR REBAR has some remarkable properties and the prediction for use in nanomaterials is very gratifying. We are very fortunate and delighted to be working with them in many markets and applications where we can make such a difference to so many customers and products”
Bosnyak further remarked, “In addition to the innovative breakthroughs made on the science and to meet rapidly growing global customer demand, there has been remarkable progress on the ability to scale up and manufacture MOLECULAR REBAR here in Texas. This has created valuable employment and growth opportunities that further strengthens the position of Texas as a leader of nanomaterials technology.”

Swogger and Bosnyak, both formerly with The Dow Chemical Company, have extensive experience in developing and commercializing breakthrough products. Swogger, as a vice president of Dow’s R&D, is well known for his work in Polyolefins and INSITE Technology.  Bosnyak, as a senior scientist at Dow, has been the recipient of a number of awards and international recognition for his work, including the R&D 100 Award.

Molecular Rebar Design enjoys several partnerships in commercializing its innovative nanomaterials.  Black Diamond Structures, a joint venture between Molecular Rebar Design and SABIC, the world’s second largest diversified chemical company, develops, manufactures and commercializes products based on the MOLECULAR REBAR platform.

Andrew Kodis, CEO of Black Diamond Structures, lauded the two innovators saying, “I am truly honored to be associated with the scientific advancements achieved by Kurt, Clive and their team. Since 1983, HIPLA has honored inventors and their discoveries from every industry and profession – it is an impressive list of scientific advancement and creativity.  To be included among those previously honored is a remarkable achievement.”