InspecTech Aero Service Acquires License From Research Frontiers to Produce SPD Aircraft Windows Which Save Energy, Reduce Costs of Operation, and Promote Passenger Comfort

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For Immediate Release

InspecTech Aero Service Acquires License From Research Frontiers to Produce SPD Aircraft Windows Which Save Energy, Reduce Costs of Operation, and Promote Passenger Comfort

NEW YORK, WOODBURY, Mar. 22 -/E-Wire/-- A technology now exists to improve passenger satisfaction and comfort in aircraft while reducing fuel consumption, maintenance, downtime and cost of operation. These benefits are accomplished by removing the existing window shades from aircraft and replacing them with a thin plastic film which can electrically control light and which is affixed to the existing inner (non-structural) cabin windows of the aircraft. InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. based at the Fort Lauderdale International Airport, has become the first company specifically licensed by Research Frontiers Incorporated (Nasdaq: REFR - news), to use its fast-responding Suspended Particle Device (SPD) light-control technology for aircraft applications. InspecTech's non-exclusive license permits them to buy SPD film from a variety of companies that Research Frontiers has licensed to produce such film (currently General Electric, Hankuk Glass Industries, Hitachi Chemicals, Material Sciences Corp. and Polaroid), and to incorporate this light-controlling film into SPD aircraft windows and SPD cabin dividers worldwide (except in Korea).

In SPD smart window products, you can instantly and precisely control how clear or dark the window is, and adjust its light transmission by either turning a knob or having the window automatically adjust itself. This is made possible by a thin film which uses SPD light-control technology invented by Research Frontiers. SPD technology is licensed to a growing number of companies in various industries, and is covered by more than 350 patents and patent applications held by Research Frontiers worldwide. In an aircraft, not only can the passenger control their "smart' window at any time, but it can also be controlled centrally at the flight attendant's station or in the cockpit so that all the windows can be darkened while a movie or safety video is being shown, and lightened during takeoff and landing. Many groups can benefit from this product. Airlines save money on fuel and maintenance, offer passengers increased comfort and amenities, and become known for bringing innovations into the aircraft cabin. Cabin crews benefit as they acquire centralized window control and no longer have to disturb sleeping passengers to require them to raise or lower their shade. Passengers can control light and glare without blocking their magnificent views. The environment benefits because the reduced weight of the aircraft means less fuel is consumed.

"We are very excited about applying SPD technology to aircraft windows and partitions' noted Jim Lang, President of InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. "This cutting-edge product can set an airplane apart from the crowd in terms of technology, aesthetics, comfort and convenience for passengers and flight crews, and no less importantly, cost of ownership. In fact, some operators may have a very short payback period, and thereafter they would realize significant fuel and maintenance savings. By using our products, many aviation companies are adding to their revenue streams by lowering parts costs and by increasing profit margins. It's simply a smart business decision. We are equally excited to join Research Frontiers' growing list of world-class licensees and to be part of a true strategic alliance among companies in the SPD supply infrastructure, with Research Frontiers as the driving force.'

InspecTech will present SPD aircraft windows to the aviation industry at the upcoming Aircraft Interiors Conference & Exhibition 2001, to be held May 30-June 1 in Long Beach, California, and at the National Business Aviation Association's 54th Annual Meeting & Convention in New Orleans on September 18, 19, 20.

Joseph M. Harary, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Research Frontiers, noted: "We were very impressed with InspecTech's operations and commitment to providing their customers only products of the highest quality. They have excellent experience getting parts expeditiously certified by the FAA, and the ability to get safe, reliable products to market quickly.'

Alex Martinez, InspecTech's head of engineering and new product development, noted: "Our main goal is to enhance our customers' profits by reducing parts and component costs, alleviating bottlenecks, eliminating long lead-times, and by shortening cycle times. We will be offering the windows and ancillary equipment to manufacturers for installation as original equipment, to operators for installation at their convenience, and to refurbishment centers for incorporation into state-of-the-art interior designs. We will continue to work alongside our many customers to be the premier provider of these new window solutions.'

In describing the engineering issues surrounding switchable or "smart' aircraft windows, Mr. Martinez noted: "We considered alternative technologies such as liquid crystal windows, but they were hazy in the 'on" state, especially when viewed from an angle, did not offer the ability to tune the amount of light coming into the aircraft, and in fact did not reduce light but instead just scattered it. This light scattering creates an undesirable 'halo" effect when direct sunlight shines through these liquid crystal windows, and they would not hold up to the environment that aircraft windows must endure. Electrochromic windows also have unacceptable drawbacks: While they offer a similar appearance to SPD and the ability to tune the amount of light, they have non-uniform response over the surface of the window and were slow in their response time. More importantly, electrochromic windows add weight to the aircraft because they require a coating on glass, rather than lightweight plastic. This increases weight and therefore fuel costs. SPD technology offered us the best performance specifications because of its wide range of tunable light transmission, the ability to be used on light-weight plastic, uniform appearance, fast switching speeds, and good environmental stability.'

Research Frontiers' SPD technology for controlling light has many other applications, including smart window products for homes and buildings. A smart window product using SPD film enables users to instantly and precisely control the amount of light passing through the window, providing relief from glare or heat without blocking view, while also enabling privacy whenever desired, protection from UV damage, promotion of energy conservation, and other benefits. In homes and buildings SPD technology is also appropriate for skylights, appliances, and interior partitions. In automotive vehicles, SPD-smart products can include windows, sunroofs, sunvisors, rear-view mirrors, instrument panels and navigation systems. SPD eyewear products - sunglasses, sport goggles such as ski goggles, and visors - will continuously and instantly control glare to the degree needed. In the flat panel display industry, SPDs may be used in products such as laptop computers, cell phones, and handheld devices such as PDAs - Personal Digital Assistants, with significant performance and cost advantages over current technologies. In advertising, promotion, and retail sales environments, SPDs offer display advertising advantages, bringing large, thin, flexible yet changeable displays to stores, store windows, point-of-purchase displays, billboards, truck sidings, road signs, and other signage applications.

Michael LaPointe, Research Frontiers' Director of Marketing for Architectural Windows and Displays, noted: "Aircraft windows are one of the most high-profile SPD applications imaginable. Every day, over 5 million passengers will be sitting near an aircraft window, and there are almost half a million aircraft windows in the U.S. commercial fleet alone. If an aircraft is equipped with SPD smart windows, these passengers will experience first-hand the power of having instant and precise control over light and glare, without blocking view. In addition, as manufacturers or users of many of the products that SPD technology can be used in, they will be directly exposed for several hours during their flight to an SPD window and can consider how SPD technology can benefit the products they make or use in their homes, offices, or vehicles.'

About InspecTech Aero Service, Inc.

InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. provides aerospace component design, production, marketing, and distribution. Serving both the OEM and aftermarket industry segments, InspecTech customers include Fortune 10 Aerospace Corporations in the United States. As the holder of a Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, InspecTech manufactures high-quality, precision aftermarket parts and systems for commercial, regional and business aircraft. Additional information about InspecTech Aero Service, Inc. can be found on the Internet at http://www.inspectech.net.

About Research Frontiers Incorporated

Research Frontiers has licensed the following companies to use its patented suspended particle device (SPD) light-control technology in emulsions, film, or end-products:

* AP Technoglass - North America's leading automotive glass and sunroof glass supplier and a subsidiary of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., the world's largest automotive glass supplier; * Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Incorporated-the world's largest manufacturer of organic pigments; * General Electric Company (NYSE: GE - news); * Glaverbel, SA of Belgium - majority-owned by Asahi Glass, one of the world's leading automotive glass manufacturing companies; * Global Mirror GmbH & Co. KG - the world's largest manufacturer of commercial vehicle mirror systems; * Hankuk Glass Industries Inc. - Asia's largest flat glass producer (outside of Japan); * Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.- majority-owned and part of Hitachi Ltd.; * InspecTech Aero Service, Inc.- provides aerospace component design, production, marketing, and distribution to both the OEM and aftermarket industry segments including the Fortune 10 Aerospace Corporations in the U.S.; * Material Sciences Corporation - the world's second-largest producer of specialty window films (NYSE: MSC - news); * Polaroid Corporation-the worldwide leader in instant imaging and a supplier of instant photographic cameras and films; digital imaging hardware, software and media; secure identification systems; and sunglasses to markets worldwide (NYSE: PRD - news); * ThermoView Industries, Inc. - a leading integrator of businesses and technologies within the replacement window industry (AMEX: THV - news); * Vision Ease Lens - the world's largest producer of polycarbonate lenses which is owned by BMC Industries, Inc. (NYSE: BMC - news)

Research Frontiers is a technological leader in the development and licensing of suspended particle devices (SPDs)-electrically operated light-control devices using proprietary particle suspensions and films. SPD technology permits light transmission to be electrically controlled instantly, either automatically (by means of a photocell or other sensing or control device) or adjusted manually by the user. Research Frontiers' proprietary SPD technology enables users to control the amount of light passing through windows, skylights, eyewear (including prescription and non-prescription sunglasses and sports goggles), automotive sunroofs, sunvisors and rear-view mirrors, as well as enabling brighter easier to read flat panel information displays for use in computers, television, telephones and other electronic instruments and products. Research Frontiers currently has agreements in effect covering smart windows, automotive mirrors and sunvisors, eyewear, displays and other products with major international corporations and holds or has rights in over 350 patents and patent applications on SPD technology throughout the world. Licensees of Research Frontiers who incorporate SPD technology into end products will pay Research Frontiers a royalty of 5-10% of net sales of licensed products under license agreements currently in effect. Research Frontiers' common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "REFR.' Additional information about Research Frontiers can be found on the Internet at http://www.refr-spd.com.

Note: From time to time the Company may issue forward looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results could differ and are not guaranteed. Any forward looking statements should be considered accordingly.

Research Frontiers Incorporated and InspecTech Aero Service, Inc.

Research Frontiers Incorporated

Michael R. LaPointe, 516/364-1902 ext. 15

[REDACTED-EMAIL]

InspecTech Aero Service, Inc.

Alex Martinez, 954/359-6766

Mindstorm Communications

Stacy Calder, 212/320-2125

[REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://www.refr-spd.com

http://www.inspectech.net

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