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Liquidmetal Technologies to Supply High-Strength, Thin-Profile Casing Component for the OQO Ultra-Personal Computer
TAMPA, FL--(INTERNET WIRE)--Apr 9, 2003 -- OQO Incorporated has selected Liquidmetal Technologies (NasdaqNM: LQMT) to produce a Liquidmetal® alloy casing component for its much-awaited OQO Ultra-Personal Computer (UPC), slated for launch in the second half of 2003.

At roughly the size of a wallet -- measuring just 4.1 by 2.9 by 0.9 inches and weighing less than nine ounces -- the OQO UPC will be the smallest high-performance, full-featured personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP in pocketable form factor. Its innovative design features an exterior color screen that will be encased in a Liquidmetal alloy frame.

Liquidmetal alloys possess a unique, amorphous atomic structure that enables them to be cast into very thin-profile, precision net-shape parts while maintaining strength and hardness two-to-three times greater than titanium and other commonly used metals. These properties are particularly appealing to electronic product designers faced with the challenge of incorporating ever-increasing functionality and durability into ever-smaller personal devices.

"Having struggled in the past with the limitations of various plastics and metals, including the Apple® Titanium PowerBook® design, we were excited to discover Liquidmetal alloy's exceptional strength and thin-wall capabilities," said OQO CEO Jory Bell. "And unlike magnesium and titanium components, Liquidmetal alloy is both chemically and aesthetically suitable to be used in a natural, unpainted state and still meet our design criteria. Liquidmetal alloy is among a select group of 21st century technologies that enabled OQO to create the world's first high-performance pocketable Microsoft Windows XP computer."

"The OQO UPC is an excellent example of the advantages of Liquidmetal alloys when design flexibility, appearance and performance are the driving factors," said Liquidmetal Technologies President and CEO John Kang. "It's gratifying to see our two technologies come together in this cutting-edge product. We look forward to working with the OQO team as we move to production in the months ahead."

About OQO

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in San Francisco, California, OQO Inc. is developing the OQO ultra-personal computer (UPC), a full-power, full-featured personal computer running Microsoft Windows XP in a pocketable form factor. For additional information about the company and its products, visit www.oqo.com.

About Liquidmetal Technologies

Tampa, Florida-based Liquidmetal Technologies (www.liquidmetal.com) is the leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of products made from amorphous alloys. Amorphous alloys are unique materials that are characterized by a random atomic structure, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure possessed by ordinary metals and alloys. Bulk Liquidmetal® alloys are two-to-three times stronger than commonly used titanium alloys, harder than tool steel, and relatively non-corrosive and wear resistant. Bulk Liquidmetal alloys can also be molded into precision net-shaped parts, resulting in intricate and sophisticated engineered designs. Liquidmetal Technologies is the first company to produce amorphous alloys in commercially viable bulk form, enabling significant improvements in products across a wide array of industries. The combination of a super alloy's performance coupled with unique processing advantages positions Liquidmetal alloys for what the company believes will be The Third Revolution(TM) in material science.

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our plans, future events, objectives, expectations, forecasts, or assumptions. Any statement in this press release that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, and in some cases, words such as "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend," "may," "anticipate," "plans," "seeks," and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the anticipated outcomes or result, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. These risks and uncertainties may include: our limited operating history in developing and manufacturing products from bulk amorphous alloys; the adoption of our alloys by customers; the commercial success of our customer's products; our ability to identify, develop, and commercialize new applications for our alloys; competition with suppliers of incumbent materials; the development of new materials that render our alloys obsolete; the ability to manage our anticipated growth; our limited direct experience in manufacturing bulk alloy products; scaling-up our manufacturing facilities; protecting our intellectual property; problems associated with manufacturing and selling our alloys outside of the United States; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including risks described in subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, Form 10-K, Form 8-K, and other filings). Liquidmetal Technologies disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Contact:

Contact: Otis Buchanan
Title: Media
Voice: 949-206-8020
Email: otis.buchanan@liquidmetal.com


Contact: David Townsend
Title: Investors
Voice: 813-314-0280 ext. 127
Email: david.townsend@liquidmetal.com

Source: Liquidmetal Technologies