Berkeley, CA, April 16, 2004 Iris AO, Inc., an developer of advanced MEMS based adaptive optics systems, today announced that it had been awarded an SBIR grant from the United States Airforce for development of MEMS based adaptive optic systems.

The grant will allow Iris AO to design a retinal imaging system equipped with the Iris AO deformable mirror. Such a system will be capable of resolving single cells coupled with the ability to deliver diffraction limited laser spots.

About the United States Air Force
The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to defend the United States and protect its interests through air and space power. The Department of the Air Force is headquartered in the Pentagon, Washington D.C. The service is organized in eight major commands throughout the world which provide combat aircraft, airlift, refueling, reconnaissance and other support to the Unified Combatant Commands.

The Air Force also has more than three dozen Field Operating Agencies and Direct Reporting Units which directly support the mission by providing unique services. Together with Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard forces, the United States Air Force is the best in the world.

The Secretary of the Air Force is Dr. James G. Roche, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force is General John P. Jumper, and the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force is CMSAF Gerald R. Murray

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.