Los Alamos, NM, (October 20, 1999) -- Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. (OTC BB: MHTX) announced today that its Fuel Cell development unit has run a cellular phone for 24 hours on standby, driven by a prototype of the Company’s patented MicroFuel Cell device. This represents significant progress in Manhattan Scientifics’ goal to develop a prototype of its MicroFuel Cell technology, which converts methanol to electricity.

"These latest tests are extremely productive, and help to establish specific areas of concentration for our engineering efforts," said Robert G. Hockaday, Chief Fuel Cell Scientist, Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. "We will now focus on producing a next-generation MicroFuel Cell prototype, with improvements that emphasize efficiency and power density."

Manhattan Scientifics’ first target for its MicroFuel Cell technology is the cellular telephone industry, followed by other portable electronics. According to the Company, several large corporations have expressed interest in testing the commercial prototype when ready. A comprehensive explanation of the MicroFuel Cell device appears in the July 1999 issue of Scientific American, and on the Manhattan Scientifics Web site, www.mhtx.com.

"We are moving forward to complete our next phase of work," continued Hockaday, a scientist formerly employed by Los Alamos National Laboratory. "While Manhattan Scientifics cannot predict an exact time to complete these improvements, we view this engineering phase as relatively short term."

Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. develops and commercializes proprietary technologies to advance consumer and commercial electronics. These include MicroFuel Cell technology for portable electronic devices, holographic media for data storage, and Internet-based image management systems. Its research headquarters are in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and its business offices are located in New York City. Copies of Manhattan Scientifics press releases, current quotes, stock charts and other information for investors may be found on the Web sites www.mhtx.com and www.hawkassociates.com. For further information, contact Manhattan Scientifics CEO Marvin Maslow (917) 923-3300. The business address of Manhattan Scientifics Inc. is 641 5th Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10022; (212) 752-0505/ Fax (212) 752-0077.

The foregoing press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the company's expectation of its future business. These forward looking statements are based largely on the company's expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, such as successfully completing the research and development with respect to the MicroFuel Cell and other technologies, successfully commercializing the MicroFuel Cell and holographic storage devices for mass production, successfully protecting the company’s patents, and effective significant industry competition from various entities whose research and development, financial, sales and marketing and other capabilities far exceeds the company’s. In light of these risks and uncertainties there can be no assurances that the forward-looking statements in this press release will in fact transpire or prove to be accurate.