| ALBANY,
N.Y.--MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI Micro”), the developer of Mobion®
off-the-grid portable power solutions and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology,
Incorporated (“MTI”) (NASDAQ: MKTY), announced today that it entered into
a development agreement with a global Japanese developer of products utilizing
advanced optical and digital technologies, including digital cameras, to
evaluate the feasibility, development and production of Mobion® products.
This agreement will enable MTI
Micro and the developer to collaborate in evaluating and adapting MTI Micro’s
Mobion® technology for use in various precision imaging applications,
including digital cameras. The work under this development agreement has
commenced and MTI Micro expects to deliver prototypes later this month.
“MTI Micro’s effort with its
second global OEM engagement strengthens the market for direct methanol
fuel cell solutions to provide the additional power that new multi-functional
consumer devices demand,” said Sara Bradford, Principal Consultant, Energy
& Power Systems Group at Frost & Sullivan, an industry research
firm. “This announcement solidifies that MTI Micro is gaining momentum
in the commercialization of its Mobion® technology.”
According to Frost & Sullivan,
digital cameras are the third largest consumer electronic segment after
cellular telephones and laptop computers, with approximately 110 million
new units expected to ship by 2009.
“MTI Micro has now signed agreements
with two global OEMs that operate within two of the three largest consumer
electronic segments – mobile phones and digital cameras. We are pleased
that our Mobion® platform may potentially power devices in these two
segments,” said Peng Lim, Chief Executive Officer of MTI. “Our goal is
to make Mobion® a standard power source for powering all types of mobile
products.”
Today’s announcement follows
the recent final ruling issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation
that will permit passengers and crew to carry methanol fuel cell cartridges
and fuel cell systems designed for portable electronic devices on board
airplanes in carry-on baggage.
About MTI MicroFuel Cells
MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI
Micro”), a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (NASDAQ: MKTY
- News), is the developer of Mobion® offf-the-grid portable power solutions.
MTI Micro has a team of entrepreneurial business executives, researchers
and scientists; a proprietary direct methanol micro fuel cell power system
and a number of system prototypes demonstrating size reductions and performance
improvements; and related intellectual property. MTI Micro has received
government funding and developed strategic partnerships to facilitate efforts
to achieve commercialization. More information is available at www.mtimicrofuelcells.com. |