Demonstration Contract for Hydrogen-Powered Airport Hybrid Tow Tractor and Ovonic Metal Hydride Fuel Cell

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Oct. 31, 2006 -- Energy Conversion Devices, Inc. (ECD Ovonics) today announced that it had received a contract to develop and demonstrate a hydrogen-powered airport tow tractor and to further develop its advanced Ovonic metal hydride fuel cell technology for the US Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) via its National Automotive Center (NAC). The contract has a total value of approximately $1.8 million.

ECD Ovonics successfully developed and demonstrated a portable hydrogen refueling system for NAC in 2004. Now, under the new contract, ECD Ovonics will develop and demonstrate a high-efficiency, ultra-low emissions, hydrogen hybrid-electric internal combustion engine powered aircraft tow tractor that uses on-board Ovonic solid hydrogen storage systems. ECD Ovonics will also further develop its non-noble metal hydride fuel cell stack technology, which represents a fundamentally new approach to fuel cells and provides unique performance advantages, including instant start, good low-temperature performance, and intrinsic energy storage.

Many of our busiest U.S. airports do not meet air quality standards according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Aircraft tow tractors, therefore, are potential early adopters of clean hydrogen technologies. The hydrogen fuel can be produced from sustainable sources of renewable energy and offers the potential to improve our nation's energy security by reducing our dependence on imported oil, as well as almost eliminating harmful carbon emissions arising from the combustion of fossil fuels in transportation applications.

The contract will be administered by Aerospace Engineering Spectrum (AES), based in Ogden, Utah, via a subcontract to ECD Ovonics on behalf of Ovonic Hydrogen Systems and Ovonic Fuel Cell Company. AES will provide project management services through its prime contract with the Department of Defense under the Design Engineering Support Program.

About ECD Ovonics:

ECD Ovonics is the leader in the synthesis of new materials and the development of advanced production technology and innovative products. It has invented, pioneered and developed its proprietary, enabling technologies in the fields of energy and information leading to new products and production processes based on amorphous, disordered and related materials. The Company's portfolio of alternative energy solutions includes Ovonic thin-film amorphous solar cells, modules, panels and systems for generating solar electric power; Ovonic NiMH batteries; Ovonic hydride storage materials capable of storing hydrogen in the solid state for use as a feedstock for fuel cells or internal combustion engines or as an enhancement or replacement for any type of hydrocarbon fuel; and Ovonic fuel cell technology. ECD Ovonics' proprietary advanced information technologies include Ovonic phase-change electrical memory, Ovonic phase-change optical memory and the Ovonic Threshold Switch. ECD Ovonics designs and builds manufacturing machinery that incorporates its proprietary production processes, maintains ongoing research and development programs to continually improve its products and develops new applications for its technologies. ECD Ovonics holds the basic patents in its fields. More information on the company is available on www.ovonic.com.

About Aerospace Engineering Spectrum:

Aerospace Engineering Spectrum is a Joint Venture founded in 1995 as a consortium of four partner companies. AES provides high quality technical services to government customers utilizing an integrated team approach and a seasoned program management methodology founded in proven system engineering principles.

About TARDEC/NAC:

TARDEC is headquartered at the Detroit Arsenal, Warren, MI, and is home of the NAC. The NAC operates with a primary mission to serve as a catalyst linking industry, academia, and government in the development and exchange of dual-use (advanced automotive/defense) technologies that benefit all sectors.