``Guardian Technologies Merger Update''; Vairex Corporation Issued Patent on Integrated Compressor/Expander Apparatus for Fuel Cell Powerplants

    CAREFREE, Ariz.--May 23, 2001--Guardian Technologies International, Inc. , announced today that merger candidate Vairex Corporation has been issued a patent pertaining to its proprietary work in air and gas management systems for fuel cell powerplants.
    The patent, assigned to Vairex by Ski Milburn (Vairex President & CEO), Jeffrey Barber and Jeremiah Cronin, pertains to an integrated compressor/expander apparatus used in fuel cell powerplants. The patent covers 77 claims on the use of electric motor driven compressors and expanders in fuel cell powerplants. Compressed air is used in the fuel cell stack to make electricity (along with hydrogen fuel) and is used in the fuel processor to separate the hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel (such as methanol or natural gas).
    The claims cover the process by which Vairex proprietary compressors accomplish the separation of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon fuel suitable for fuel cells. Most importantly, the claims cover ways that a single motor and compressor can supply air at different volumes and pressures to different parts of the overall system. Competing methods involve the use of multiple motors and compressors, giving Vairex a significant advantage in cost, weight and volume of machinery. Competing approaches that use a single compressor sacrifice efficiency, giving Vairex the advantage in this area.
    Expanders capture the exhaust gas of a system, controlling system pressure and recovering energy, thus raising the power output and efficiency of the fuel cell powerplant. The Vairex patent covers significant aspects of this process; most specifically how multiple exhaust streams of different volumes and pressures can be utilized by a single device. The Vairex patent also covers the use of variable capacity expanders (Vairex proprietary technology) to control system pressure, reducing or eliminating the need for auxiliary devices such as throttles, mass flow controllers and other components that increase cost.
    The net effect gives Vairex proprietary rights over competing machines and processes and allows Vairex the ability to produce a product that will be significantly more efficient, less costly, less complex and less bulky than other approaches. Vairex also anticipates offering system level benefits that will make other components in the fuel cell powerplant less expensive, more efficient and more responsive, including the fuel cell stack itself and several components in the fuel cell processor.
    Much of the work that has lead to the issuance of this patent was completed under contracts with the Department of Energy under the "Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles" program. "Vairex acknowledges and sincerely appreciates this government support and looks forward to improving America's international competitiveness with these innovations," stated Ski Milburn, Vairex President & CEO. As a small business Vairex retains the intellectual property developed under these DOE contracts.
    "Vairex intends to vigorously expand and defend its proprietary rights in the area of fuel cell air systems by filing additional patent applications (several currently on file) on existing and future inventions in the field," continued Milburn.
    "The Vairex corporate goal is to build upon our intellectual and technical head start to become the leading supplier of air and gas management systems to fuel cell manufacturers participating in this emerging industry. We intend to be the cost and efficiency leader and this patent is validation of the innovative nature of our approach," concluded Milburn.

    ABOUT VAIREX
    (For more information, visit Vairex's website at www.vairex.com)

    Vairex was founded in 1987, to develop advanced, proprietary, oil free compressor technology for automotive and industrial applications and has been engaged in the emerging fuel cell industry for over six years. The Company's technical leadership has led to two major DOE development contracts and prototype sales to industry leaders such as Ballard, GM, Energy Partners and others. Most recently Vairex has delivered evaluation units to McDermott Technology and Fiat.

    ABOUT GUARDIAN

    Guardian, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Guardian Security & Safety Products, Inc. (GSSP), serves the law enforcement, security and military communities and the global security industry. GSSP's majority-owned subsidiary, ForceOne, LLC, manufactures a variety of high-end ballistic protective equipment including patented personal protection devices commonly referred to as body armor. Guardian, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Guardian Steel, is engaged in structural steel fabrication and provides among its products, structural steel used primarily in military base refurbishments and other projects under Federal contract.

    The statements made in this press release contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations. In addition to the matters described in this press release, risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports and filings, including, but not limited to, its report on Form 10-QSB for the quarter ended September 30, 2000 and its report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 1999, may affect the results achieved by the Company.