The proposed rulemaking which allows passengers to carry micro fuel cells in the airplane cabin along with up to two spare fuel cartridges per person would harmonize U.S. transportation regulations with global regulations adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organization ("ICAO") that went into effect on January 1, 2007. A number of countries around the world, including Canada, China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have already incorporated the passenger allowance into their national standards.

"For everyone that boards an airplane, safety is of paramount importance. Today's action by the U.S. DOT is a clear endorsement that fuel cell systems and methanol fuel cartridges can meet the most rigorous safety standards," said Methanol Institute Vice President for Communications & Policy Gregory Dolan. "We are working together with industry leaders like MTI Micro who has been very active in helping advance codes and standards to establish the regulations favorable to bringing products to market."

"At MTI Micro, our Mobion(R) direct methanol fuel cell technology has reached the stage where we believe we could be one of the first companies to introduce micro fuel cells for consumer handheld electronics applications," said Peng Lim, CEO of MTI. "This DOT decision is important because it lays the groundwork for Mobion(R) to be carried in airplane passenger compartments and it validates our longstanding choice of methanol as a fuel."

As part of its commercialization plan, MTI Micro is working towards manufacturing readiness in 2008 and commercially available products in 2009.

About MTI MicroFuel Cells

MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc., a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Incorporated, , is the developer of the award winning Mobion(R) direct methanol micro fuel cell technology. The Company has a world-class team of entrepreneurial business executives, researchers and scientists; a number of system prototypes demonstrating size reductions and performance improvements; significant related intellectual property; and has received government awards and developed strategic partnerships to help accelerate commercialization. More information is available at http://www.mtimicrofuelcells.com/.

About the Methanol Institute

The Methanol Institute serves as the trade association of the global methanol industry. Our member companies include the principal producers of methanol, as well as methanol distributors, industry suppliers and consumers. MI works to encourage the use of methanol as a hydrogen carrier for variety of fuel cell technology applications. For more information about the Methanol Institute please visit http://www.methanol.org/.