COSTA MESA, Calif., June 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Irvine Sensors Corporation (Nasdaq: IRSN) today announced that it is developing a proprietary micro-electromechanical system ("MEMS") device usable for portable power generating units that could replace batteries. Dubbed the Microcombuster(TM) power supply by Irvine Sensors, the heart of the system under development is a miniature internal combustion device that burns lighter fluid or other common combustibles and is reusable. The Microcombuster is projected to have significantly greater energy density than Lithium-Ion batteries in a comparable size and form factor. The Irvine Sensors development program is focused on potential military applications and is supported by various government agencies. With the increasing reliance on portable electronic equipment by modern military forces, battery supply and replacement is a major logistics and economic challenge. It is estimated that a U.S. soldier expends about one AA battery per hour in combat. In the government's fiscal 2003 and 2004, approximately $425 million was spent on batteries for use by individual soldiers.

If development milestones are successfully achieved, Irvine Sensors expects to have pre-production prototypes of the Microcombuster suitable for military applications before the end of 2009. Deployment for military uses is expected to result in economics suitable for widespread commercial application.

John Carson, Irvine Sensors' CEO said, "Throw-away batteries are a major source of environmental waste and current reusable ones are inefficient. The Microcombuster addresses both of those concerns and puts us on the threshold of some major market opportunities."

Irvine Sensors Corporation (http://www.irvine-sensors.com), headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, is a vision systems company engaged in the development and sale of miniaturized infrared and electro-optical cameras, image processors and stacked chip assemblies, the manufacture and sale of optical systems and equipment for military applications through its Optex subsidiary and research and development related to high density electronics, miniaturized sensors, optical interconnection technology, high speed network security, image processing and low-power analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for diverse systems applications.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This message may contain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "think", "may," "will" and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, our ability to meet the developmental requirements of the Microcombuster system. Such statements speak only as of the date hereof and are subject to change. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

Important factors that may cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, the availability of sufficient working capital to support fulfillment of our contracts; government budgetary considerations and the timing of government billing and procurement practices; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of our Microcombuster development contracts; our ability to specify, develop, complete, introduce, market and manufacture new technologies and products in a cost-effective and timely manner; evolving technology and industry standards, and our ability to adapt to and integrate any necessary changes to comply with such new technologies or standards; the availability and pricing of competing technologies and products and other competitive pressures; the effects of international conflicts, natural disasters, public health emergencies and other events beyond our control; and the general economic and political conditions and specific conditions that may impact our operations. Further information on Irvine Sensors Corporation, including additional risk factors that may affect our forward looking statements, is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our Current Reports on Form 8-K and our other SEC filings that are available through the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov).

SOURCE Irvine Sensors Corporation