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Fiberstars Awarded Two $750,000 Phase II DARPA SBIRs to Accelerate Development of Military Fiber Optic Lighting Solutions

Posted on: Tuesday, 12 December 2006, 09:00 CST

SOLON, Ohio, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fiberstars Inc. , the global leader in fiber optic lighting solutions, today announced that the company has won two Phase II SBIR awards from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The SBIRs, totaling $1.5 million, were awarded for two Fiberstars research and development projects focused on advanced lighting systems for naval vessels.

"Military ships at sea have unique lighting requirements that are not fully addressed by conventional systems," said John Davenport, CEO of Fiberstars. "We are working with DARPA to develop lighting systems with double the lifetime of conventional systems and that are highly resistant to heat and flame. Our advanced fiber optic lighting solutions will make shipboard lighting safer and more robust."

"We appreciate the support from DARPA and are proud to be developing the most advanced lighting systems for the US Military," added Roger Buelow, CTO of Fiberstars.

DARPA is the central research and development organization for the Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs selected basic and applied research and development projects for DoD, and pursues research and technology where risk and payoff are both very high and where success may provide dramatic advances for traditional military roles and missions.

DARPA grants SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) awards to support the research and development of next generation military technologies. Fiberstars was granted Phase I awards for these projects in 2005 and has successfully passed all requirements for advancing to the second stage of the program.

To evaluate Fiberstars' designs, fiber optic lighting systems will be installed in three Navy ships, which are scheduled for sea trials to begin in early 2007.

Fiberstars systems offer reduced maintenance, reduced energy consumption, improved safety and space-savings. It is the perfect solution for shipboard lighting as it removes voltage, glass and hazardous materials from the direct workspace. As compared to the Navy's current fluorescent fixtures (typically 50 Watts), Fiberstars metal halide systems provide the same level of directed light (more light on task) for half the power. Fiberstars' LED fixtures will save up to 90% of the power currently used on incandescent general lighting fixtures.

About Fiberstars, Inc.

Fiberstars, Inc., is the leading supplier of fiber optic lighting and the world's only supplier of EFO(R), a lighting technology which is more efficient than conventional electric lamps. Fiberstars products are designed, manufactured and marketed for the commercial lighting, sign and swimming pool, and spa markets. Fiberstars fiber optic lighting provides energy savings, aesthetic, safety and maintenance cost benefits over conventional lighting. Customers include supermarket chains, retail stores, fast food restaurants, theme parks and casinos, hotels, swimming pool builders, spa manufacturers and many others. Company headquarters are located at 32000 Aurora Rd., Solon, OH 44139. The Company has additional offices in Pleasanton, CA, New York City, United Kingdom and Germany. For more information, see http://www.fiberstars.com/ .

Safe Harbor Statement

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding the business outlook for EFO systems, and the benefits and customer expansion potential involving EFO. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from the results predicted. Risk factors that could affect the Company's future include, but are not limited to, the slowing U.S. and world economy and its effects on Fiberstars' markets, failure to develop marketable products from new technologies, failure of EFO or other new products to meet performance expectation. For more information about potential factors which could affect Fiberstars financial results, please refer to Fiberstars' SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Fiberstars disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Fiberstars, Inc.

CONTACT: media, Nathan Tinker, +1-203-229-0358, ornathan@antennagroup.com, or Neil Torres, +1-415-977-1942, orneil@antennagroup.com, both of Antenna Group for Fiberstars

Web site: http://www.fiberstars.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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