Notice of Allowance Issued to Litex for More Than 300 Additional Claims for its Award-Winning Non-Thermal Plasma Catalysis Technology

    SHERMAN OAKS, Calif.--Jan. 23, 2001--Litex Inc. and Lockheed Martin Corporation are pleased to announce that a Notice of Allowance was issued by the United States Patent Office on Jan. 16, 2001, for a recent patent application containing 318 new claims.
    The allowed claims cover the treatment of exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, including diesel and lean burn gasoline, with non-thermal plasma assisted catalysis. The application is assigned to Lockheed Martin with exclusive, worldwide license, with right to sublicense, held by Litex Inc.
    This application and additional U.S. and foreign pending applications expand the coverage of the seven already issued Litex patents on many aspects of this technology. Upon issuance of the patent, these 318 new claims will be covered by the $5 million Lloyd's of London patent enforcement insurance policy recently secured for Litex by its patent firm, Pennie & Edmonds LLP.
    The claimed methods and devices provide substantial reductions of tail pipe pollutants such as unburned hydrocarbons, particulates, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, as well as enhanced catalytic converter immunity to poisoning from sulfur and other contaminants.
    These benefits are expected to assist the automotive industry in cost-effectively meeting the increasingly stringent emission standards such as Tier 2, LEV II and Euro IV. In addition, the Litex/Lockheed Martin technology is expected to be enabling technology for the introduction of advanced lean burn gasoline and diesel engines.
    In addition, in the December 2000 issue of Automotive Engineering International, Litex's first implementation of its non-thermal plasma catalysis technology, the Corona Discharge Device (CDD(TM)), was recognized as one of the Society of Automotive Engineer's (SAE) "Top 10 Technologies" for the year 2000.
    Litex is actively engaged in licensing its non-thermal plasma assisted catalysis technology and intellectual property to global automotive suppliers. Non-thermal plasma assisted exhaust aftertreatment is rapidly emerging as one of the most promising new approaches to emissions control.
    Litex, with headquarters in Sherman Oaks, was established in August 1996 to commercialize innovative technologies that demonstrate strong market potential and offer cost-effective solutions to complex industrial and consumer needs. Litex also has a Research and Development office in Cambridge, Mass. More information about Litex and non-thermal plasma technology is available at the company's web site (www.litexcorp.com) or by phoning the company at 818/817-7600.
    Lockheed Martin, with headquarters in Bethesda, Md., is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services.