Statement re Appointment
Date: 27 JUNE 2006
MICROFUZE INTERNATIONAL PLC (MFZ)
TO INVEST IN "COOL PLASMA" TECHNOLOGY
MicroFuze International plc today announces the appointment of Professor Nguyen Tran as consultant to
research and test "cool plasma" technology for creating metal infused coatings using microwaves which
could, if successful, extend the existing range of metals to which Microwave Diffusion Treatment
("MDT") is applied to include aluminium and magnesium. MicroFuze's existing patented MDT creates
alloys by diffusing metals in a microwave. For metals such as magnesium and aluminium with relatively
low melting temperatures, working in a cooler environment is essential for making an "alloy" layer
without damaging the target metal.
Professor Tran, who is a leading authority in microwave engineering and in microwave plasma and metal
treatment technology in particular, believes that high temperature is not needed for some metal
diffusion to take place. He says: "I am looking forward to working with a progressive company like
MicroFuze and further developing the technology for new applications."
Doug Parrish, CEO of MicroFuze, said: "The consultancy agreement with Professor Tran is very exciting
as the company builds and further extends its technology base. If through Professor Tran's work we
can successfully diffuse metals or other material into another metal at lower temperatures, then this
opens up many opportunities for metals that have previously been untreatable using conventional
methods, and certain industrial applications previously considered impossible."
The defence industries, in particular, have expressed a keen interest in these prospects. Corrosion
protection for critical, expensive, and previously susceptible components has enormous potential value
for equipment operating in harsh and remote environments. More conventional applications in the
commercial maritime and airline industries are obvious extensions to this development work.
Notes to Editors:
MicroFuze International plc
MicroFuze is a metals technology company which owns, through its 85% owned subsidiary MicroFuze
Americas, Inc., the sole licence to commercialise the US Department of Energy's patented process for
Microwave Diffusion Treatment ("MDT") discovered by their Oak Ridge, Tennessee Nuclear Research
Facility. The US Department of Energy retains a 10% interest in MicroFuze Americas and Harley Grant,
the Oak Ridge inventor of the process, holds the remaining 5% of MicroFuze Americas shares.
Because MDT is quicker, cheaper and cleaner than all known existing surface treatments of metals, it
provides significant physical, economic and environmental advantages. MDT can make cheap steel nearly
impenetrable and has a large number of potential uses for parts, components and accessories which
require hardening, lubricity, wear resistance and corrosion protection. Industries that will benefit
from MDT include power generation, automotive, aeronautical and general manufacturing in a global
market worth US$6 billion annually.
Professor Nguyen Tran, B.E., B.Sc., Ph.D. (Adelaide), FIREE, FIEAust MIEEE, MIMP
Professor Nguyen Tran is a leading authority in the field of microwave engineering, where he has been
active for 20 years. He has published 97 academic papers and over 120 consulting reports for industry
and research organizations, speaks widely at international conferences and holds three patents, two of
which have been successfully commercialised, and two provisional patents.
He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers and of Radio Electronics Engineers (FIREE) and was
Chairman of the Melbourne Division 1988-1989; a Member of the IREE council 1988, 1989, 1991; Member of
IEEE since 1988; a Member of the Sunset Energy Council (microwave energy from space); Member of the
International Microwave Power Institute since 1978; and Director of the board of Governors of the
International Microwave Power Institute.
Professor Tran has been Visiting Professor in over 30 universities and institutes in 15 countries,
spanning Europe (including the universities of Paris in France, Cambridge in the United Kingdom and
Stuttgart in Germany), North America (including Berkeley and Stanford) and Asia (Japan, China, Hong
Kong, Malaysia and Singapore).
Contact: Doug Parrish, CEO, MicroFuze International plc 020-7016-5100
Sandy Barblett, Commercial Director, MicroFuze 020-7016-5100
Henry Gewanter, PR, Positive Profile 020-7489-2028
MicroFuze International plc