Keithley Corporate News - September 16, 2003

Cleveland, Ohio and Richardson, Texas - September 16, 2003 - Keithley Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:KEI), a world leader in instrumentation for low-level electrical measurements, and Zyvex Corporation, the most publicized private nanotechnology business in the world and one of the most highly regarded companies in the field of molecular assemblers, have signed an agreement to work together to develop new solutions for the nanotech marketplace. The agreement calls for the companies to share marketing, sales, and applications engineering resources as part of creating new solutions that combine Zyvex's nanomanipulator expertise with Keithley's technologies for ultra-low-level measurements.

The kind of low-level measurement expertise Keithley offers is particularly critical in nanoscience applications. Nanodevices are extraordinarily small, which means that the electrical signals they can produce are typically low. Measuring these signals accurately demands high sensitivity, high resolution instruments, such as those in Keithley's line of precision electrometers, picoammeters, and nanovoltmeters. Much of the technology that Keithley has developed for characterizing semiconductor devices and test structures at the wafer level, including the Model 4200-SCS Semiconductor Characterization System, is applicable to nanotechnology.

The Model 4200-SCS's sub-femtoamp current measurement resolution and turnkey operation are ideal for researchers in fabrication facilities and labs developing nanodevices. Its built-in Windows® NT-based workstation and powerful Project Navigator software speed device test development, processing, and plotting. Low current sensitivity, measurement flexibility, open architecture, and ease of use combine to make the Model 4200-SCS ideal for applications like I-V characterization of Single Electronic Transistors, molecular electronics and other nanodevices, and materials research.

The Zyvex family of nanomanipulation systems comprises flexible, cost-effective, modular R&D tools that are compatible with scanning electron microscopes (SEMs), transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), focused ion beam (FIB) microscopes, optical microscopes, and probe stations. These systems allow scientists to manipulate objects ranging in size down to the molecular level under a scanning electron microscope.

Zyvex brings to the relationship existing relationships within the nanotech community, along with insight to the particular measurement requirements in this field. Keithley's Model 4200-SCS system, when coupled with Zyvex's S100 nanomanipulator, will create a more comprehensive solution for scientists and engineers developing the next generation of nanostructures, nanomaterials, MEMS, and other semiconductor structures.

"By drawing on the differing areas of expertise from both organizations, we'll be able to provide solutions that expand the market for both companies by integrating Zyvex's revolutionary probe technology with Keithley's low-level measurement proficiency," said Mark Hoersten, Keithley Vice President, Business Management. "Our engineering and marketing staffs will work together to offer nanotechnology customers powerful, new solutions that neither company could provide on its own. We're also confident we'll be providing test solutions no other measurement instrumentation supplier can offer."

"Our understanding of current and future research and development needs lets Zyvex maintain a competitive advantage in new product commercialization, whether your aim is to study meso, micro, nano, or molecular based structures," said Thomas A. Cellucci, Ph.D., Zyvex's Chief Operating Officer. "We respond daily to inquiries from potential users in universities and industries all over the world who demand flexible scientific tools and value. This cooperative arrangement will provide both Zyvex's and Keithley's customers with a far more effective solution than they've ever had before."

About Keithley Instruments, Inc. Keithley Instruments, Inc. provides optical and electrical measurement solutions from DC to RF (radio frequency) to the wireless, semiconductor, optoelectronics, and other electronics manufacturing industries. Engineers and scientists around the world use Keithley's advanced hardware and software for process monitoring, production test, and basic research.

About Zyvex Corporation Zyvex Corporation is the first molecular nanotechnology company. Zyvex's mission is to be the leading worldwide supplier of tools, products, and services that enable adaptable, affordable, and molecularly precise manufacturing.