Konarka Secures National Science Foundation Grant to Boost Performance of Power Plastic

Lowell, Mass. – March 2, 2005 – Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in developing and commercializing power plastics that convert light to energy, today announced it was awarded a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The award will help fund Konarka’s efforts to increase the performance of its light-activated power plastic.

“As part of our ongoing research and development activities, we’re always looking for even better ways to harvest both natural and artificial light for conversion to electricity – the more light our materials respond to, the more power they’ll put out,” said Dr. Russell Gaudiana, vice president of research and development, Konarka. “This NSF grant will enable us to move forward on some promising advances we’ve seen in the labs.”

Konarka is producing flexible, lightweight and versatile power plastic that makes it possible for devices, systems and structures to have their own low cost embedded sources of renewable power. The goal of this NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to raise the performance of the Company’s dye-sensitized solar cell technology, including generating more electrical current and improving efficiency to 10 percent or higher. To do this, the Company will enhance the ability of its dyes and additives to capture more of the solar spectrum. The grant is effective for two years.

“NSF’s SBIR/STTR Electronics Technology program is committed to advancing solar cell technology as a renewable energy source and is supporting research to make solar cells more efficient and cost-effective,” said T. James Rudd, program manager, NSF SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. “The Konarka technology promises good improvement in efficiency, and the proposed roll-to-roll manufacturing technique offers low-cost production possibilities.”

About the National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with an annual budget of nearly $5.47 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives about 40,000 competitive requests for funding and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. Through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, NSF provides over $100 million to small companies for developing innovative new products and processes. The NSF also awards over $200 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

About Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarka’s photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka has a broad portfolio of patents, technology licenses and an accomplished technical team. Nobel Laureate Professor Alan Heeger (UC Santa Barbara) is the chief scientist for Konarka, and Dr. Michael Grätzel (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) is a senior scientific advisor. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with research and development subsidiaries in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. For more information, visit http://www.konarka.com or contact Tracy Wemett, BroadPR, at 617-868-5031 or .

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