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Sionex's Chip-based Sensor Enables New Explosives Detection System

Desktop system developed as a next generation unit for improved airport and transportation security

WALTHAM, Mass., November 3, 2004 - Sionex Corporation, a high technology company focused on commercializing breakthrough chemical sensor chips and systems based on its proprietary microDMx™ detection technology, today announced that Sionex's microDMx™ sensor system has been incorporated into the Thermo Electron Corporation (NYSE:TMO) next generation explosives detection product.

The new Thermo EGIS™ Defender is based on Thermo's patented high-speed gas chromatography (HSGC) technology coupled with Sionex's patented microDMx™ sensor system. The result is a system capable of very sensitive detection of explosives with false positives greatly reduced. This capability enables the EGIS™ Defender to simultaneously detect plastic, commercial and military explosives, TATP, HMTD and enhanced AN-FO. The system can also detect the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) marker compounds plus narcotics with a high degree of sensitivity. The new explosives detector was launched today at the Aviation Security World 2004 (AVSEC) meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

"Sionex and Thermo previously entered into an exclusive agreement in June 2004 where Sionex would develop and produce its microDMx™ sensor system for trace explosives detection which would be incorporated into the new Thermo desktop system," said Anthony D. Bashall, Sionex's VP of marketing and business development, "We have been diligently working together to optimize the microDMx™ sensor system for this application and are excited to see this groundbreaking product be released by Thermo."

"The Thermo relationship and product launch are very important to Sionex as we continue bringing our microDMx™ sensor systems to market in end-user products" said Wes Davis, president and CEO of Sionex, "Thermo is an ideal partner for Sionex due to their industry leadership in the explosive detection marketplace and their ability to rapidly incorporate new technology such as our microDMx™ sensor."

Conceived at The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and exclusively licensed to Sionex for commercialization, the microDMx™ sensor is a chip-based microfabricated technology capable of detecting a wide variety of chemical and biological compounds with great sensitivity and selectivity. Sionex is currently working with a number of companies and collaborators to incorporate its microDMx™ sensors into a wide variety of devices for the detection of chemical & biological warfare agents, and toxic industrial compounds.

About Sionex Corporation
Sionex Corporation is a high technology company focused on commercializing breakthrough chemical and biological sensor chips and systems based on its proprietary microDMx™ detection technology. Sionex maintains its worldwide headquarters and laboratories in Waltham, Massachusetts, close to Boston with its commercial, technology and communications infrastructure. The Company is privately held and was founded in 2001 with patented technology exclusively licensed from The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. Additional information about Sionex Corporation is available at www.sionex.com.

microDMx™ is a US trademark of Sionex Corporation.

EDITORIAL CONTACTS:

Eric Kirleis, Sionex Corporation
(781) 457-5416
ekirleis@sionex.com

Agency Contact:
Doug Forsyth, Alchymia Communications for Sionex
+1 (541) 482-8744
df@alchymiacomm.com

Forward-looking Statement
Some statements in this announcement constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sionex Corporation to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this announcement will prove to be accurate. In light of the significant uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of this information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.