Superconductor Technologies and Los Alamos National Laboratory Sign Cooperative Research and Development Agreement

Goal to Jointly Develop Technology for Second Generation HTS Cable Production

• Press Release
• Source: Superconductor Technologies Inc.
• On 7:00 am EST, Tuesday December 2, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Dec. 2, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Superconductor Technologies Inc. (STI) (NasdaqCM:SCON - News), a leading provider of advanced wireless solutions, innovative adaptive filtering, and world class cryogenic products for commercial and government applications, signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Department of Energy's (DOE) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to jointly develop a successful commercial production process for HTS power applications. The CRADA between STI and LANL includes a statement of work and scope for both parties and is for a term of five years.

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A CRADA represents a non-Federal Acquisition Regulation legal agreement between STI and LANL. This CRADA offer both parties an opportunity to share knowledge, personnel and facilities when conducting mutually beneficial research and development.

As part of the agreement, STI and LANL will provide scientific, engineering, and operational expertise as needed. Both will also provide material and equipment to develop technology intended to commercialize high-performance, low-cost HTS coated conductors.

Ken Marken, Center Leader at LANL, explained the importance of this CRADA: ``As energy demands increase and concerted efforts are made to reduce the global footprint caused by fossil fuels usage, various technologies will need to be deployed to provide clean and efficient power. The use of HTS technology to provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly pathway to deliver electric power could be one of those breakthroughs. HTS technology enables extremely efficient power transmission by replacing copper wires with a ceramic superconductor alternative that has an estimated 5x higher capacity while reducing resistive losses. HTS cable is expected to lose only about one-half of one percent of the power that it transmits, compared to the minimum five to eight percent lost by traditional power cables.''

Jeff Quiram, STI's president and chief executive officer, said: ``This CRADA with LANL is an important milestone in our collaboration to jointly develop technology intended to commercialize high-performance, low-cost HTS coated conductors. STI's proprietary deposition techniques may offer an accelerated route to cost effective improvements in second generation HTS cable production, providing answers to both the technical challenges and reduced costs needed to accelerate the commercial deployment for HTS cable. We are excited to be utilizing our world class expertise in cryogenics and HTS materials development for solutions for power transmission.''

The DOE leads the United States' research and development efforts focused on HTS cables in power applications. The mission of the DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability is to lead the national effort to modernize the electric grid, enhance the reliability of the energy infrastructure and facilitate rapid recovery from disruptions to the energy supply.

About Los Alamos National Laboratory

LANL, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, The Babcock & Wilcox Company, and Washington Group International for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

The LANL Superconductivity Technology Center (STC) coordinates a multidisciplinary program for research, development, and technology transfer in the area of high-temperature superconductivity. The focus of the STC is on effective collaborations with American industry, universities, and other national laboratories to develop electric power and electronic device applications of high-temperature superconductors.

 For Los Alamos National Laboratory
 James Rickman, LANL Communications Office
 505-665-9203
 jamesr@lanl.gov

About Superconductor Technologies Inc. (STI)

STI, headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, is a leading provider of high performance infrastructure products for wireless voice and data application as well as advanced HTS thin film deposition techniques and cooling technologies. Commercially, STI's SuperLink(r) solution increases capacity utilization, lowers dropped and blocked calls, extends coverage, and enables faster wireless data rates. Its AmpLink(tm) solution enhances the performance of wireless base stations by improving receiver sensitivity and geographic coverage.

The Superconductor Technologies Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3963

          Lippert / Heilshorn & Associates
          For Superconductor Technologies Inc.          
          Investor Relations
          Cathy Mattison
          +1-415-433-3777
          invest@suptech.com