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SAN
DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2005--The U.S. Department
of Defense has awarded the Research Division of JMAR
Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: JMAR) $3.5 million in
funding under its previously announced $34.5 million
Department of Defense Contract
to continue development of a compact soft X-ray light
source for applications that would otherwise require
access to a synchrotron facility.
The funding will be used to make the compact X-ray
source sufficiently robust for continuous operation
and to advance its performance, reliability and maintainability.
"Enhancements
such as improving laser produced plasma (LPP) source
laser-to-X-ray conversion efficiency, refining the
debris management approach, and completing development
and testing of an improved LPP target delivery subsystem,
will ultimately make this technology more readily
usable by the Department of Defense and other potential
customers," said Dr. Scott Bloom, General Manager
of JMAR's Research Division.
JMAR
has developed advanced LPP X-ray source technology
for semiconductor nanolithography under a multi-year
contract with the DoD. In conjunction with its ongoing
work for the DoD, JMAR has expanded the research and
commercial application of this unique technology by
producing soft X-ray light at wavelengths optimized
for advanced instrument functions including high-resolution
microscopy and chemical analysis and fabrication at
the nanoscale.
"This
funding, along with the previously announced award
of $2.1 million from the U.S. Government's Naval Air
Warfare Center for X-ray mask development, allows
us to develop the enabling X-ray source and mask technology
for nanolithography," said Ronald Walrod, CEO
of JMAR. "And it is this X-ray source and the
resultant fine featured nanolithography that will
dramatically reduce the cost of X-ray optics and make
soft X-ray based instruments economically feasible
for defense and commercial applications."
"In
addition to the funding provided by these contracts,
JMAR is investing its own funds, augmented by our
recently announced $4 million financing, to help accelerate
development of our Compact X-ray Microscope and our
X-ray Nano Probe," continued Walrod. "We
believe these instruments, both of which are on track
for demonstration this year, will make possible important
advances in bioscience, materials research, chemical
analysis, and fabrication at the nanoscale."
Certain
of these awarded funds apply to costs already incurred
and recognized as part of the Company's ongoing LPP
soft X-ray program.
About
JMAR
JMAR
Technologies, Inc. is a leading innovator in the development
of laser-based equipment for imaging, analysis and
fabrication at the nano-scale. The Company is leveraging
over a decade of laser and photonics research to develop
a diverse portfolio of products with commercial applications
in rapidly growing industries while continuing to
provide support for the U.S. Government's Defense
Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) semiconductor fabrication
facility. JMAR is targeting the nanotech, bioscience
and semiconductor industries with its Britelight(TM)
Laser; Compact X-ray Light Source; X-ray Microscope
- for 3D visualization of single cells and polymers-
and its X-ray Nano Probe - enabling interaction, analysis
and modification at the nano-scale. JMAR also maintains
strategic alliances for the development of BioSentry(TM)
and READ - biological and chemical sensors for homeland
security, environmental and utility infrastructure
industries.
Contacts
JMAR
Dennis E. Valentine, 760-602-3292
ww.jmar.com
or
The Investor Relations Group
Investors:
Kathryn McNeil/Dian Griesel, Ph.D., 212-825-3210
or
Media:
Andrea Faville/Dian Griesel, Ph.D., 212-825-3210
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