Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C. announced today that Dr. Edward Mickelson, a patent agent in the firm's Intellectual Property (IP) and Nanotechnology Practices and member of the team of scientists who made the revolutionary discovery, received the recognition from MIT for his work as co-inventor in developing U.S. Patent No. 6,645,455.

"We congratulate Dr. Mickelson and his colleagues on this well-deserved and prestigious recognition," said Kelly Kordzik, Chair of Winstead's Intellectual Property and Nanotechnology Practices. "Dr. Mickelson's expertise in the science of nanotechnology, combined with his experience preparing patents, has proven to be a major asset to the firm's IP and Nanotechnology Practices. His experience exemplifies Winstead's commitment to providing our clients access to a team of IP professionals that are second to none and further solidifies Winstead's reputation as the nation's leading nanotechnology law firm."

Dr. Mickelson has extensive research experience in the fields of molecular spectroscopy, materials chemistry, molecular electronics, and nanotechnology, and has served as a co-inventor on several other U.S. and foreign patent applications. His practice at Winstead focuses primarily on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications in the nanotechnological and chemical arts.

"Carbon nanotubes are already unlocking the potential of the revolutionary science of nanotechnology and will play a major role in our world in the next 25 years and beyond," Dr. Mickelson said. "These materials, the size of a strand of DNA, will enable everything from super-tough materials to ultra- sensitive biosensors."

This award is the second industry recognition Dr. Mickelson's discovery has received. In 2002 his discovery was recognized as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace by the editors of R&D magazine. In that award, Mickelson's chemically derivatized, single-wall carbon nanotubes were recognized as a 'New Class of Nanomaterials'.

Winstead's Nanotechnology Practice Group is a key component of the firm's Intellectual Property and Corporate Practice Groups, and offers clients counseling on filing and prosecuting a myriad of diverse patent applications in the field of nanotechnology. As well, the practice provides strategic guidance on a variety of corporate matters, from the start-up phase of a business through the commercialization of its nanotechnology discoveries.

Winstead Sechrest & Minick is among the largest business law firms in Texas with more than 300 attorneys and 29 practice areas. Winstead has offices in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and The Woodlands, Texas, Washington D.C., and Mexico City. For detailed information about the firm or the Nanotechnology Practice, visit http://www.winstead.com/ .

Source: Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.

CONTACT: Joey D. Mooring of Winstead Sechrest & Minick P.C.,
+1-214-745-5308, or jmooring@winstead.com ; or Kelly Griesenbeck,
+1-214-871-7723, or kgriesenbeck@allynco.com , for Winstead Sechrest & Minick
P.C.

Web site: http://www.winstead.com/