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Southwall and MegaWave Sign Joint Development Agreement

30 March 2000

Southwall and MegaWave Sign Joint Development Agreement to Design and Build a Wide Bandwidth Antenna for Automotive Windshields Using XIR Film

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--March 29, 2000--Southwall Technologies Inc. announced today the formation of a joint research and development program with MegaWave Corporation (Boylston, MA) aimed at building a prototype antenna for automobile windshields using Southwall's XIR(R) flexible, infrared reflecting film and MegaWave's antenna design and test capabilities.
    If successful, the development could lead to an exclusive agreement in which Southwall would license MegaWave's technology to commercially introduce a new wide bandwidth antenna based on its proven infrared reflecting film.
    "The automotive marketplace has long been searching for an invisible antenna that could be used in any vehicle to receive and transmit AM, FM, GPS and cellular telephone signals," said Southwall's President and CEO, Thomas G. Hood. "Our XIR(R) film is a conductive, flexible film that may be a practical means for introducing this `invisible windshield antenna' to the automotive industry." Laminated between two pieces of glass to make an infrared reflecting, UV absorbing barrier, Southwall's XIR(R) film is used in more than 1,000,000 cars a year to keep passengers comfortable and protect the car interior from extreme degradation due to ultraviolet light.
    "We are excited about the product opportunities that will be created if we can successfully combine our XIR technology with MegaWave's antenna technology," says Dr. Sicco Westra, Southwall's Sr. VP Engineering and Chief Technical Officer. "This joint development arrangement combines Southwall's 20 years of experience in the design and manufacture of thin film sputter coatings with MegaWave's expertise in designing antennas for a diverse range of applications in both the government and private sectors."

    About MegaWave Corporation

    MegaWave uses computer aided design (CAD) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimization technology to develop, test, and produce broadband and other specialized antennas for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the US Army and Navy, as well as for companies such as Motorola and Raytheon. Located in Boylston, MA, MegaWave holds several patents and has successfully tested unique antenna design technologies for TV, windshield and digital satellite systems (DSS). MegaWave's innovative automobile antenna designs are based on work sponsored primarily by DARPA.

    About Southwall Technologies Inc.

    Southwall Technologies (www.southwall.com) designs and produces technologically advanced thin film coatings that selectively absorb, reflect or transmit electromagnetic radiation. Southwall products are used in a number of architectural, automotive and electronic products to enhance optical and thermal performance characteristics, improve user comfort and reduce energy costs. Southwall exports advanced thin film coatings to over 25 countries around the world for use in products manufactured by such companies as Audi, BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Renault, Peugeot-Citroen, Volvo, Mitsubishi Electric, and Samsung.

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All forward-looking statements included in the document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Further risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.