Markland Technologies Announces Update on Use of Plasma for Biological Decontamination

Ongoing Research Being Conducted with Eastern Virginia Medical School. Markland Technologies, (OTC:MKLD - News), (www.marklandtech.com) announced today that its research team is near completion of the Phase 1 study on the use of plasma for biological decontamination.

News Release
For Immediate Release:
April 29, 2003

Markland Technologies Announces Update on Use of Plasma for Biological Decontamination

Ongoing Research Being Conducted with Eastern Virginia Medical School

RIDGEFIELD, CT (PRWEB) April 29, 2003 -- Markland Technologies, (OTC:MKLD - News), (www.marklandtech.com) announced today that its research team is near completion of the Phase 1 study on the use of plasma for biological decontamination.

In August 2002 a Phase 1 contract under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grant program of the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research was awarded to perform basic research in this field of application. At that time plasma researchers were organized to collaborate with personnel from Eastern Virginia Medical School (Norfolk, Virginia) in a study targeted at using atmospheric pressure plasmas to sterilize biologically contaminated surfaces.

Atmospheric pressure plasmas or room temperature plasmas are known as cold plasmas. Cold plasmas have demonstrated effectiveness in rapid sterilization, decontamination and industrial processing. When generated, cold plasma is a bluish substance that resembles a fog like gas. But cold plasma can destroy deadly microbes lodged on the skin, weapons, medical instruments or clothing. Research has shown that plasma can rapidly break down complex chemicals found in nerve gas and deadly biological agents like anthrax.

The plasma process produces a sterilization effect using lower concentrations of sterilant but with a higher reactivity than possible with normal gases. The activity disappears quickly when power is removed thereby dissipating the toxicity of the sterilant rapidly. Atmospheric pressure plasmas allow for rapid decontamination of clothing, equipment and personal gear in military settings, for sterilization of medical equipment and food in commercial settings. Present methods of decontamination and sterilization often require hours and generate damaging heat; a cold plasma can sanitize often in mere minutes.

Leading this research effort has been plasma scientist, Professor Igor Alexeff of the University of Tennessee. Professor Alexeff has patented a method for using an airborne plasma discharge to destroy microorganisms. The research performed to date has focused on designing an apparatus for decontamination of equipment and facilities that have been exposed to deadly biological agents. This proposed method could have broad applications in sterilization techniques throughout the civilian and military communities. Professor Alexeff is one of the founders of The Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and is immediate Past President of the Society.

The company believes that the important distinguishing feature of this particular airborne plasma discharge method is the use of ceramic electrodes that produce an even diffuse discharge in the intended area whereas traditional materials often have resulted in a small arc minimizing the discharge area. The discharge also results in large quantities of ozone. Ozone is known as a powerful sterilizing and decontamination agent.

Once Phase 1 tasks have been completed the company anticipates that it will receive continued funding for Phase 2 research. A Phase 2 proposal has been recently completed and submitted for review to be performed by the funding agency.

For additional information about Markland Technologies visit the Company website: www.marklandtech.com.

About Markland Technologies
Markland Technologies is committed to helping secure America by providing innovative emerging technologies and expert services to meet the country's needs to protect our people, our borders and our infrastructure assets. The Company is currently a member of the Homeland Security Industries Association http://www.hsianet.org.

"Safe Harbor Statement" Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Investors are cautioned that certain statements contained in this document as well as some statements in periodic press releases and some oral statements of Markland Technologies officials during presentations about Markland Technologies, are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). Forward-looking statements include statements, which are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be provided by management, are also forward-looking statements as defined by the Act. Some of the factors that could significantly impact the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: insufficient cash flow to continue to fund the development and marketing of the Company's products and technology; a rejection of the Company's products and technologies by the marketplace, and; disputes as to the Company's intellectual property rights. Forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about Markland Technologies, its products, economic and market factors and the industries in which Markland Technologies does business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and Markland Technologies has no specific intention to update these statements. More detailed information about those factors is contained in Markland Technologies filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:
Markland Technologies, Ridgefield, CT
http://www.marklandtech.com

Dawn Van Zant, ECON Investor Relations, Inc.,
1-866-730-1151
dvanzant@investorideas.com

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