Billerica, MA -- October 12, 1999 - AST Products, Inc., released the new generation PS-350, a popular plasma system for industrial batch processing. The PS-350 was originally introduced by Plasma Science, Inc. and acquired by AST in the acquisition of the Plasma Science product line from BOC Coating Technology earlier this year. AST revamped the control portions of the PS-350 while maintained the patented chamber design that brought the PS-350 to the leading position in the industrial plasma market.

Proven performance with latest control technology
Unsatisfied with using "semiconductor industry leftovers" for their plasma processing needs, a group of engineers founded Plasma Science, Inc. 14 years ago and designed plasma systems specialized for industrial applications. Following the patent awarded for this novel approach, the PS-350 with 16 inches of chamber space has since become a leader in process uniformity and effectiveness.

Without changing the unique patented electrode configuration, AST augmented the performance of the PS-350 with the latest technologies in control systems. The enhancements include a new automatching network system, a proven and reliable state of the art RF source, increasing RF power to 600 Watts and a touch screen panel display with PLC control for the ultimate ease in user interface.

Beneficial knowledge of processing
The revamp of the PS-350 revealed AST's knowledge and dedication to supply outstanding plasma systems for the industrial market. For example, the 180 cfm pumping package is maintained in an effort to allow maximum process efficiency for most plastic and medical device treating processes. With established surface treatment technologies and over a decade of plasma processing experience, AST is able to provide its special expertise as an added benefit to the customers.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST is a technology leader in coating and surface modification to the biomedical and industrial communities. AST also manufactures and markets plasma processing systems and VCA (Video Contact Angle) Surface Analysis Systems for semiconductor, microelectronics, biomedical and other industrial applications. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.

Billerica, MA -- July 30, 1999 - AST Products, Inc. announces the first shipment of their latest line of Plasma Science Systems, PS-3030 to Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan. This exciting new product line is designed to treat all forms of woven and roll products up to 1 meter in width. It also accommodates customized application for up to six gases with the appropriate option selected.

Easy control system
As with all AST products, PS-3030 is user friendly with easy control menus and large color touch screen interface. Touch screen menu selection provides local operators easy access of monitoring and programming functions. Engineers may also lock the access to key parameters and limit floor operators to access only selected recipes so accidental process changes can be prevented. Optional remote control system is also available using the popular LabVIEW™ software from National Instruments. The unique remote control package incorporates data logging, unlimited recipe storage and the access from any remote site. Provisions are even available for the access via modem or Internet connection allowing company engineers on-line information from any location.

Efficient and high throughput operation
The streamlined 40 cubic foot PS-3030 Plasma Science System uses several pumping packages for maximum efficiency and minimal pump-down times. Attention was paid on loading and unloading mechanism for user friendliness to maximize the process throughput per system. Roll speed and tension are continually controlled using the latest in servo technology.

Adding to the existing popular Plasma Science product line, AST Products now supplies plasma systems for various production scales and applications. They include PS-35/38 Bench-top Systems, PS-150, PS-350 and PS-500 Large-capacity Batch Systems; PS-2020 Tape System and PS-1010 In-line System. "We are proud of the addition of PS-3030 and will continue to be a forerunner in innovative solutions to surface modification and measurement." Commented Ron Nickerson, Vice President of AST Products, Inc.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST is a technology leader in coating and surface modification to the biomedical and industrial communities. AST also manufactures and markets plasma processing systems and VCA (Video Contact Angle) Surface Analysis Systems for semiconductor, microelectronics, biomedical and other industrial applications. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.

Billerica, MA -- June 14, 1999 - Advanced Surface Technology, Inc. (AST), a provider of innovative coatings and surface treatment for medical and industrial application and a leading manufacturer of contact angle systems for surface analysis, announced an agreement to acquire Plasma Science line plasma products from BOC Coating Technology (BOCCT). In addition to its recently developed compact and customized plasma systems, AST is now able to augment its surface technology expertise with a complete line of plasma systems to the semiconductor, microelectronics, medical and other industrial markets for cleaning and surface treatment applications.

A beneficial transition for existing and potential Plasma Science/AST customers
In addition to production and maintenance inventory, the acquisition includes all Plasma Science patents for plasma system design, product logos and engineering know-how. AST also announced a separate agreement with Stephen Kaplan, President of 4th State, Inc., founder of the former Plasma Science, Inc. to facilitate the continuing support of current BOC/Plasma Science customers. 4th State, located in Belmont, CA will also represent AST for future sales and technical support for the West Coast Region. Ron Nickerson, AST's VP of New Product Development and a long-time associate of LFE states: "This arrangement not only benefits the existing Plasma Science customers but also allows us to provide a complete support package to several industries. With AST's expertise in plasma engineering and surface science and Steve's experience with Plasma Science equipment and the surface treatment market, we can offer quite a support package."

An unique business position
"This acquisition will further enhance the unique position of AST to provide an integrated plasma solution to the market." Added Dr. Ih-Houng Loh, AST's VP of Business Development. "We develop a complete line of high quality plasma systems, provide reliable sales and technical service nationwide, offer process development/optimization at both AST and 4th State facilities, and supply VCA (Video Contact Angle) surface analysis systems for testing process effectiveness."

About AST Products, Inc.
AST currently offers proprietary coating and surface modification technologies to the biomedical and industrial communities. AST also manufactures and markets plasma processing systems and VCA (Video Contact Angel) Surface Analysis Systems for semiconductor, microelectronics, biomedical and other industrial applications. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.

About 4th State
4th State is a process development and plasma treatment service company located in Belmont, CA. Providing gas plasma surface treatment and solutions to the plastics and allied industries, 4th State is capable of treating molded or machined parts, fiber, continuous extrusions and film fabric or webs up to 60" width.

About BOC Coating Technology
BOC Coating Technology (formerly Airco coating Technology) supplies equipment for vacuum film deposition and is a world leader in the field of glass coating. BOC Coating Technology is a member of the Vacuum Technology Division of the BOC Group, the worldwide industrial gases, vacuum technology and distribution services company which employs 37,000 people in more than 50 countries.

Billerica, MA -- June 7, 1999 - AST Products, Inc. Analytical Technology Group introduced the VCA optima™, a new generation of VCA (Video Contact Angle) Surface Analysis Systems. The bright color VCA optima™; is slim and compact, requiring less counter space in the work environment. Single control box connections enable "plug and play" installation. Improved user-interface provides easy navigation and convenience for software operation. Producing the same reliable analytical results as its predecessor, the new VCA optima makes contact angle surface analysis quicker and easier. Offered in the same competitive price as the current VCA-2000™ line and added the motorized syringe as part of the XE model standard hardware package, VCA optima™ presents a valuable choice for contact angle instruments.

Compact and streamlined hardware design
The new VCA optima™ is easy to install with a consolidated control box for the camera, syringe control and power supply. Setting up the entire system needs only two connections - one to the power source and the other to the PC. Pre-configured PC loads up the software in seconds and the instrument is ready to be used. Additional improvements include the solid state lighting source for sharper and brighter droplet image, and maneuverable sample stage accommodating larger and thicker substrate material. The slim design also makes the VCA optima™ more compact and easier to transport between workstations. The motorized syringe is provided as a standard hardware feature for the XE model.

Enhanced software user-interface
The enhancement of VCA optima™ software user-interface makes operating the system even easier than before. A second tool bar provides convenient controls for the lighting adjustment, droplet volume, droplet dispensing actions, and SPC (Statistical Process Control) data input. Multi-step functions such as dynamic capture capability, pendent drop analysis and calibration procedures are now wizard assisted.

The software package of VCA optima™ remains consistent with its predecessor for automatic and dynamic contact angle calculations (up to 60 frames per second), advancing/receiving contact angle analysis, surface energy analysis, statistical analysis, surface tension using Pendant Drop analysis and graphical data charting.

About AST Products, Inc.
AST Products, Inc., Analytical Technology Group manufactures and markets a complete line of video contact angle surface analysis systems including the VCA-1000 video-based goniometer, the new VCA-optima, the VCA-3000™series for Wafer Surface Analysis and VCA-4000™ series for FPD Surface Analysis. Other AST Products' business groups include Plasma Science Group, supplying a complete line of gas plasma processing systems for cleaning and surface modification, and Advanced Surface Technology Group, providing proprietary coating and surface modification technologies through contract manufacturing and technology transfer. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.

Billerica, MA -- April 8, 1999 - AST Products, Inc. Plasma Science Group introduced the new bench-top plasma processing systems, PS-35 and PS-38 for cleaning/etching, stripping, ashing and surface treatment in hybrid, BGA, semiconductor, medical and industrial applications. Gas plasma utilizes no wet chemical, eliminating complicated waste disposal. For hybrid and precision cleaning, gas plasma removes organic contamination without any residue.

Built to accommodate laboratory and small volume operations with various process needs, special effort was made in the design of control and chamber systems. PS-35 and PS-38 offer interchangeable chamber modules under a common control system. With 5" x 8" (PS-35) or 8" x 8" (PS-38) capacity, Pyrex or quartz chamber modules are easily interchanged with only couple of screws. The standard PLC control system stores up to 14 recipe programs, provides two gas input (fixed flow or MFC, mass flow control), and automatic RF match (PS-38) for complex engineering programming while key switch locks out choice of programs for easy operation and precise process duplication.

Built to handle complicated cleaning and surface modification needs, PS-35 and PS-38 produce quality plasma processes with easy operation. The systems also provide the flexibility and convenience for different process configurations without the cost of owning multiple systems.

AST Products, Inc. Plasma Science Group, manufactures and markets a complete line of gas plasma processing systems including bench-top, large capacity batch processing, in-line processing and customized systems. Other AST Products' business groups include Analytical Technology Group, developing VCA Systems for surface analysis using video contact angle measurement, and Advanced Surface Technology Group, providing proprietary coating and surface modification technologies through contract manufacturing and technology transfer. An ISO 9001 registered company with GMP facilities, AST provides integrated surface solution through process equipment, technology development, services and surface analysis instruments.