Berkeley, CA, November 18, 2003 Iris AO, Inc., a developer of adaptive optics systems, today announced that it had received a follow-on grant from the Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO). This is the second grant that Iris AO has received from the CfAO.

Dr. Michael Helmbrecht, Iris AO's CEO said, "This is an important milestone for the company, and we believe it represents a highly significant validation of both our underlying technological approach and our company. The CfAO is one of the world's leading research centers supporting work in the field of adaptive optics, and we are thrilled that they have again selected Iris AO to receive this grant award."

Grant funds will be used to further development of Iris AO's advanced deformable mirrors-the core of any AO system. The CfAO may also provide certain technical advice in conjunction with administration of the grant. Iris AO personnel have worked closely with CfAO members in the past and have found the collaboration to be most helpful.

About The Center for Adaptive Optics
The Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO) is a Science and Technology Center funded by the National Science Foundation. The Center researches AO in the fields of vision science and astronomy, to remove the effects of image blurring through turbulent media. Applications include astronomical telescopes, laser guide stars, wavefront sensing, MEMS technology and retinal imaging.

About Iris AO, Inc.
Iris AO is building small-scale, micro-electro mechanical (MEMS) AO systems that can radically improve the performance of optical systems. Iris AO technologies offer major improvements in cost, size, power consumption and flexibility over traditional AO. Iris AO's systems can dramatically improve image quality for a host of applications such as biomedical/retinal imaging, satellite/airborne surveillance, portable laser communications, and optical guidance among many others. Iris AO can be contacted in the US at (510) 849-2375 or www.irisao.com.