Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: XsunX and Intevac Team Up to Develop Breakthrough Thin-Film Photovoltaic Manufacturing

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Abstract:
XsunX and Intevac Team Up to Develop Breakthrough Thin-Film Photovoltaic Manufacturing Technology

XsunX and Intevac to Leverage Cross-Industry Expertise to Improve Thin Film Solar Cells

XsunX and Intevac Team Up to Develop Breakthrough Thin-Film Photovoltaic Manufacturing

Santa Clara, CA | Posted on September 21st, 2009

XsunX, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: XSNX.OB), the developer of advanced, thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell technologies and manufacturing processes, and Intevac, Inc. (Nasdaq: IVAC), the world's leading provider of magnetic media deposition equipment to the hard disk drive (HDD) industry, announce that they are working under a Joint Business Agreement to collaborate in the development of techniques and equipment for the production of commercially marketable processes and equipment for the manufacture of CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) thin-film solar cells.

Through the successful combination of cross-industry specialties, XsunX and Intevac plan to develop a new breed of TFPV manufacturing techniques to produce thin-film solar cells.

By teaming up, the companies plan to effectively combine Intevac's unparalleled expertise and years of technological improvements developed for the sophisticated HDD manufacturing industry with XsunX's experience in the TFPV industry, which includes senior staff with years of commercially successful CIGS-related technology development. The two companies are adapting high-rate production tools from the disk drive industry with process knowledge from the CIGS and thin-film industry. This unique and novel approach focuses on maintaining a relatively small deposition area; initially about five-inch squares similar in size to silicon solar wafers, which the companies believe reduces a significant challenge that has faced the CIGS industry in the past: maintaining cell performance while scaling commercial production.

"We are thrilled to establish this relationship with Intevac, whose HDD manufacturing techniques are the standard of the industry," said Tom Djokovich, chief executive officer, XsunX, Inc. "Intevac has the capacity to bring tremendous value to XsunX through their existing engineering and process development advancements. Likewise, our resources and expertise in the
development of evaporative technologies, and the best processing parameters for the CIGS thin film layers, will help lay the foundation for the rapid development of this first-of-its-kind cross-industry technology."

"Intevac is pleased to enter into a relationship with XsunX and pleased that they will be using our enabling technology for the development and manufacture of CIGS photovoltaic cells," said Kevin Fairbairn, president and chief executive officer, Intevac, Inc., "We plan to leverage our experience in thin film deposition derived from our HDD equipment business and mainframe transport design capability derived from our semiconductor etch business to provide high productivity, low cost of ownership manufacturing platforms for the production of thin film PV cells."

Safe Harbor Statement

Matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. Actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the jorward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of the Company and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with: the impact of economic, competitive and other factors affecting the Company and its operations, markets, product, and distributor performance, the impact on the national and local economies resulting from terrorist actions, and U.S. actions subsequently; and other factors detailed in reports filed by the Company.

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About XsunX
XsunX specializes in the development and commercialization of advanced, thin-film photovoltaic (TFPV) solar cell technologies and manufacturing processes. We are currently working to develop new proprietary manufacturing systems to deliver low cost solar products based on the use of CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) solar thin films. Utilizing cross-industry enabling technologies, these systems are being developed to deliver low cost and high yield front end CIGS solar cell manufacturing methods coupled with customized backend solar module assembly and packaging systems.

This CIGS production technology is being designed as a turn-key solution to either enable upgrades to existing infrastructure or to establish new large scale solar manufacturing capacity for the production of CIGS solar cells that can be utilized in a multitude of applications. We plan to offer joint venture manufacturing opportunities for this technology to regional partners in a number of industry types and solar applications.

For more information please call 888-797-4527, or visit the company's website
at www.xsunx.com.

About Intevac

Intevac was founded in 1991 and has two businesses: Equipment and Intevac Photonics. Equipment Business: We are a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-productivity lean manufacturing systems and have been producing Lean Thinking platforms since 1994. We are the leading supplier of magnetic media processing systems to the hard drive industry and offer highly efficient technology solutions to the photovoltaic industry and advanced etch systems to the semiconductor industry. Intevac Photonics: We are a leader in the development and manufacture of leading edge, high-sensitivity imaging products and vision systems, as well as table-top and handheld Raman instruments. Markets addressed include military, industrial, physical science and life science. For more information call 408-986-9888, or visit the company's website at www.intevac.com.

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Contacts:
Investor Relations:
Vanessa Watkin of XsunX
+1-888-797-4527

Media Relations:
Christina Brozek of Beckerman Public
Relations for XsunX
+1-201-465-8002

Investor Relations
Jeff Andreson
Chief Financial Officer of Intevac
+1-408-986-9888

Claire McAdams
+1-530-265-9899 for
Intevac

Media Relations
Linda Lieberman of Intevac
+1-408-986-9888