February 17, 2003

Nanotech Materials Development Catalyzed by a new CVD product from Seki - ASTeX
Novel carbon nanotubes process successful on the first field test on a CVD deposition system at Purdue University

Sunnyvale, CA – Seki Technotron USA announced today the installation and successful commissioning of a new microwave plasma enhanced CVD system for materials research at Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana. The system is intended for developing carbon nanotubes and diamond films for basic research as well as commercial prototyping. On the first day of operation, both carbon nanotubes and diamond were deposited. Catalysts for carbon nanotubes deposition were applied by an innovative spin coating process without the normal requirement of a vacuum coating process.

Dr. Roy Gat, Director of Plasma Products, and developer of the carbon nanotube process said: "We are excited to have results on the first day of operation that demonstrate carbon nanotubes grown in useful new ways. With this system, we have the ability to run a thermal CVD process, and, at the touch of a button introduce microwave plasma for additional process control. We believe this functionality enables our customers to easily reproduce existing results and to quickly improve on them."

Dr. Gat, went on to state, “the successful launch of this new system at Purdue University represents a major step in our ongoing efforts to anticipate the needs of the emerging nanotech equipment market and to provide researchers a path to rapid results. In addition to our leading position in CVD diamond and carbon nanotubes research, our tools have already led to several major advances in silicon and gallium oxide nano-wires, and GaN films."

The Seki-ASTeX series of turnkey Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) Systems has been solving materials and process problems for researchers worldwide at more than 200 installations, and for more than 20 years.

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Seki Technotron USA Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seki Technotron, Tokyo, Japan, a publicly traded company. The company specializes in programs based on defense electronics, communication and radar systems, microwave and RF components and subsystems, satellite communication products, and related measurement instrumentation. In addition, through is partner organization, SEOCAL Incorporated, the company offers engineering, marketing, and sales service focusing on value added integration and cost effective design configurations for US-based high technology principals and program-oriented representatives in the Far East and other markets. Seki Technotron USA and SEOCAL Incorporated are located in Sunnyvale, California.

SEOCAL Incorporated
Neil D. Newman, Director of International Business
Phone: +1 408 548-9278
FAX: +1 408 743-3238
neil@seocal.com

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