Los Angeles, CA….August 1, 2007 --
Material Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: MTTG) has the only
nondestructive field testing device able to find growing cracks
in bridge structural members as small as 0.01 inches in length
and some non-surface breaking cracks - critical information that
allows structural engineers to isolate and repair steel bridges
in the U.S.; competing technologies do not detect crack growth.
Material Technologies, Inc.’s Electrochemical Fatigue
Sensor (EFS) is a nondestructive crack inspection technology,
similar in concept to a medical EKG. It can be used to
determine if actively growing fatigue cracks are present. An
EFS sensor is first applied to the fatigue sensitive location
on the bridge or metal structure, and then is injected with an
electrolyte at which point a small voltage is applied. The
system subsequently monitors changes in the current response
that results from the exposure of fresh steel during crack propagation.
The EFS system consists of an electrolyte, a sensor array and
potentiostat for applying a constant polarizing voltage between
the bridge and sensor, as well as data collection and analysis
software. The current response from the sensor array, which consists
of a crack measurement sensor and a reference sensor, are collected,
analyzed and compared with the system software. An algorithm,
specifically written for this system, automatically indicates
the level of fatigue crack activity at the inspection location.
Benefits:
- Replaces “wait-and-see” approach by allowing
immediate detection of growing cracks at known and unknown
locations, as well as at repairs
- Increases the safety of the infrastructure and the
efficiency of bridge management through better and more timely
fatigue crack detection
- More accurate assessment of condition ratings – extends
the life of the structure through early identification and
repair of growing cracks
- Determines which cracks need immediate attention and which
repairs can be deferred or eliminated; helps bridge owners
utilize repair and rehabilitation funds more effectively
- Repairs/retrofits can be verified immediately – no
re-inspection needed
Fatigue Fuse - a sensor that continuously monitors accumulated
fatigue in real time. Each sensor, which is comprised of
several notched metal strips, is adhered to certain "high-stress" areas
of a metal structure. As the structure experiences varying
stresses and strains, individual notches crack and separate at
calibrated fractions, thereby indicating the amount of fatigue
life remaining.
Robert M. Bernstein, CEO, of Material Technologies commented
on the River I-35 bridge collapse tragedy in Minneapolis saying: “A
recent AP article stated that the May 2006 evaluation of the
I-35 bridge recommended monitoring of ‘fatigue cracking’ on
the bridge’s girders. This type of tragedy
can be prevented. The visual inspection techniques that
are the industry standard for evaluating fatigue and cracks are
simply not adequate. Our EFS and Fatigue Fuse technologies
are relatively inexpensive and efficient ways to monitor growing
crack issues in real-time.”
Bridging the Facts
- Fatigue is one of the leading causes of bridge structural
problems
- All 600,000 bridges listed in the National Bridge Inventory
(NBI) require biennial inspection, as mandated by National Bridge
Inspection Standards
- Approximately $400 million is spent annually on inspection
of small- to medium-size steel bridges.
-Visual Inspection is the most used inspection method, and according
to the Federal Highway Association, about 90% of fatigue cracks
are missed during visual inspections
-A bridge failure (closure/ collapse) occurs once a week on average
in the US – causing highway congestion, which ultimately
affects economic productivity
-Average age of a bridge is > 50 years old – most bridges
in the US are designed for a 50-year life
- 26% of U.S. bridges are not designed to handle current traffic
levels or need major repairs; among the 11 Northeastern states,
39% of bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete
(The Road Information Program®, TRIP, 2005)
About Material Technologies, Inc.
Material Technologies Inc., also known as MATECH, was founded
in 1983 and is based in Los Angeles. It is an engineering, research
and development company that specializes in technologies to measure
microscopic fractures in metal structures and to monitor metal
fatigue. The Company has already completed significant work for
the federal government -- generating $8.3 million to develop
technology to detect metal fatigue in aircraft and steel bridge
components. It has also received $5 million in private investments.
Building on that base of experience and capital, it is now beginning
to market its technologies to companies and government agencies
involved in the inspection of metal highway and railroad bridges.
To learn more, go to www.matechcorp.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for the historical information contained herein, the
matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements.
Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "believe," "will," "breakthrough," "significant," "indicated," "feel," "revolutionary," "should," "ideal," "extremely" and "excited." These
statements are made under "Safe Harbor" provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual
results may differ materially from those described in forward-looking
statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. See the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission
including, without limitation, the Company's recent Form 10-K
and Form 10-Qs, which identify specific factors that may cause
actual results or events to differ materially from those described
in the forward-looking statements.
Contact:
Material Technologies, Inc.
Robert Bernstein, 310-208-5589
matech@matechcorp.com
www.matechcorp.com
or
The Investor Relations Group, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Christine Berni/Joe Triunfo, 212-825-3210
cberni@investorrelationsgroup.com
jtriunfo@investorrelationsgroup.com
or
Media:
Mike Graff
mgraff@investorrelationsgroup.com
rwagner@investorrelationsgroup.com
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