May 02, 2008 06:00 AM Eastern Time 

MTI Micro Debuts Embedded Fuel Cell Prototype for Handheld GPS Devices

ALBANY, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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), unveils today a new embedded micro fuel cell prototype design for handheld global positioning system (“GPS”) devices at the 10^th Annual International Small Fuel Cells Conference in Atlanta. MTI Micro will exhibit a micro fuel cell powered GPS prototype at booth number 101, alongside its full range of functional prototypes for use in handheld electronic devices.

MTI Micro’s new Mobion^® powered GPS prototype provides three times as much energy as GPS devices powered by four disposable AA batteries. On a model with a large, full-color screen, this fuel cell design generates up to 60 hours of continuous power and provides weeks instead of days of typical usage.

The new Mobion^® powered GPS prototype includes a USB interface, allowing the prototype to also be used as an independent energy source for a variety of purposes, including for recharging mobile phones, digital cameras, portable media players and other handheld electronic devices. The Mobion^® powered GPS prototype can be immediately recharged by refilling it with methanol.

“MTI Micro is exploring the integration of our Mobion^® platform with GPS devices as part of our strategy to bring micro fuel cell technology to a wide range of portable consumer electronic device market segments,” said Peng Lim, President and CEO of MTI. “Battery life is a key issue with handheld GPS devices, especially as manufacturers add advanced energy-hungry features to new models, such as larger full color screens. Our Mobion^® powered GPS prototype will provide handheld GPS users such as hikers and campers, travelers, boaters, pilots and other sports enthusiasts the peace of mind of much longer usage time and will help them do away with the expense, bulk and environmental unfriendliness of conventional batteries.”

MTI Micro’s new embedded micro fuel cell prototype design for GPS devices will be the second prototype unveiled by the company in two months. In February, MTI Micro announced a Mobion^® powered camera-grip attachment for digital SLR cameras designed to provide twice as much energy as existing battery pack camera-grips of the same size. MTI Micro is seeking to commercialize its Mobion^® direct methanol fuel cell technology to bring the benefits of longer run-time and instantaneous recharging capabilities to consumers, while also providing handheld device manufacturers with a new power supply platform that both enhances performance and creates new opportunities for increased functionality by enabling a wider array of desired features to be incorporated into overall product design.

At the 10th Annual International Small Fuel Cells Conference, MTI Micro will showcase its Mobion^® external power charger prototypes, its Mobion^® attached power source camera-grip prototype and its embedded Mobion^® powered GPS prototype and smartphone concept model. For more information about the 10^th Annual International Small Fuel Cells Conference, visit www.knowledgefoundation.com.

About MTI MicroFuel Cells

MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (“MTI Micro”), a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology, Incorporated (NASDAQ: MKTY), is the developer of Mobion^® off-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.

Statements in this press release which are not historical fact including statements regarding management’s intentions, hopes, goals, beliefs, expectations, projections, plans, anticipation, outlook or predictions of the future are forward looking statements. Such statements include, among others, MTI Micro’s future business prospects, technology and performance; the market potential for and progress MTI Micro is making in developing its Mobion^® fuel cell systems for consumer applications; the importance of and benefits from developing or unveiling prototypes, and; the future prospects, markets, product launch, market acceptance, and commercialization plans of MTI Micro products in the consumer markets. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and MTI and MTI Micro disclaims any duty to update such statements. It is important to note that MTI Micro’s and MTI’s actual results could differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the anticipated results not to occur include, among others, risks related to financing; uncertainties in development, manufacturing and competition; and the risk factors listed from time to time in MTI’s SEC reports including but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.