<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AND PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 5 BELOW, MAY NOT
BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND
UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR, IN THE
OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF
THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS
EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

                            WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

Company:            Superconductor Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation
Number of Shares:   100,000
Class of Stock:     Common
Warrant Price:      $1.85
Issue Date:         Warrant Effective Date (i.e., the date Holder executes this
                    Warrant)
Expiration Date:    7th Anniversary of the Issue Date

      THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for the agreed upon value of $1.00 and for
other good and valuable consideration, SILICON VALLEY BANK ("Holder") is
entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of the
class of securities (the "Shares") of the company (the "Company") at the Warrant
Price all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Article 2 of this
Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth
in this Warrant.

ARTICLE 1. EXERCISE.

            1.1   Method of Exercise. Holder may exercise this Warrant by
delivering a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached
as Appendix 1 to the principal office of the Company. Unless Holder is
exercising the conversion right set forth in Article 1.2, Holder shall also
deliver to the Company a check, wire transfer (to an account designated by the
Company), or other from of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate
Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.

            1.2   Conversion Right. In lieu of exercising this Warrant as
specified in Article 1.1, Holder may from time to time convert this Warrant, in
whole or in part, into a number of Shares determined by dividing (a) the
aggregate fair market value of the Shares or other securities otherwise issuable
upon exercise of this Warrant minus the aggregate Warrant Price of such Shares
by (b) the fair market value of one Share. The fair market value of the Shares
shall be determined pursuant to Article 1.3.

            1.3   Fair Market Value. If the Company's common stock is traded in
a public market and the shares are common stock, the fair market value of each
Share shall be the closing price of a Share reported for the business day
immediately before Holder delivers its Notice of Exercise to the Company (or in
the instance where the Warrant is exercised immediately prior to the
effectiveness of the Company's initial public offering, the "price to public"
per share price specified in the final prospectus relating to such offering). If
the Company's common stock is traded in a public market and the Shares are
preferred stock, the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price of
a share of the Company's common stock reported for the business day immediately
before Holder delivers its Notice of Exercise to the Company (or, in the
instance where the Warrant is exercised immediately prior to the effectiveness
of the Company's initial public offering, the initial "price to public" per
share price specified in the final prospectus relating to such offering), in
both cases, multiplied by the number of shares of the Company's

<PAGE>

common stock into which a Share is convertible. If the Company's common stock is
not traded in a public market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall
determine fair market value in its reasonable good faith judgment.

            1.4   Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Promptly after Holder
exercises or converts this Warrant and, if applicable, the Company receives
payment of the aggregate Warrant Price, the Company shall deliver to Holder
certificates for the Shares acquired and, if this Warrant has not been fully
exercised or converted and has not expired, a new Warrant representing the
Shares not so acquired.

            1.5   Replacement of Warrants. On receipt of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an
indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and amount to the Company
or, in the case of mutilation, or surrender and cancellation of this Warrant,
the Company shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of
like tenor.

            1.6   Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.

                  1.6.1 "Acquisition". For the purpose of this Warrant,
"Acquisition" means any sale, license, or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any reorganization,
consolidation, or merger of the Company where the holders of the Company's
securities before the transaction beneficially own less than 50% of the
outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity after the transaction.

                  1.6.2 Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition.

A)    Upon the written request of the Company, Holder agrees that, in the event
of an Acquisition in which the sole consideration is cash, either (a) Holder
shall exercise its conversion or purchase right under this Warrant and such
exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of such
Acquisition or (b) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this Warrant
will expire upon the consummation of such Acquisition. The Company shall provide
the Holder with written notice of its request relating to the foregoing
(together with such reasonable information as the Holder may request in
connection with such contemplated Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which
is to be delivered to Holder not less than ten (10) days prior to the closing of
the proposed Acquisition.

B)    Upon the written request of the Company, Holder agrees that, in the event
of an Acquisition that is an "arms length" sale of all or substantially all of
the Company's assets (and only its assets) to a third party that is not an
Affiliate (as defined below) of the Company (a "True Asset Sale"), either (a)
Holder shall exercise its conversion or purchase right under this Warrant and
such exercise will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of
such Acquisition or (b) if Holder elects not to exercise the Warrant, this
Warrant will continue until the Expiration Date if the Company continues as a
going concern following the closing of any such True Asset Sale. The Company
shall provide the Holder with written notice of its request relating to the
foregoing (together with such reasonable information as the Holder may request
in connection with such contemplated Acquisition giving rise to such notice),
which is to be delivered to Holder not less than ten (10) days prior to the
closing of the proposed Acquisition.

C)    Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than those particularly
described in subsections (A) and (B) above, the successor entity shall assume
the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall be exercisable for the
same securities, cash, and property as would be payable for the Shares issuable
upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were
outstanding on the record date

                                       2
<PAGE>

for the Acquisition and subsequent closing. The Warrant Price and/or number of
Shares shall be adjusted accordingly.

As used herein "Affiliate" shall mean any person or entity that owns or controls
directly or indirectly ten (10) percent or more of the stock of Company, any
person or entity that controls or is controlled by or is under common control
with such persons or entities, and each of such person's or entity's officers,
directors, joint venturers or partners, as applicable.

ARTICLE 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES.

            2.1   Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays
a dividend on the Shares payable in common stock, or other securities, then upon
exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without
cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities to which Holder would
have been entitled had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the
dividend occurred. If the Company subdivides the Shares by reclassification or
otherwise into a greater number of shares or takes any other action which
increase the amount of stock into which the Shares are convertible, the number
of shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the
Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares are
combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number
of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number
of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

            2.2   Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon
any reclassification, exchange, substitution, or other event that results in a
change of the number and/or class of the securities issuable upon exercise or
conversion of this Warrant, Holder shall be entitled to receive, upon exercise
or conversion of this Warrant, the number and kind of securities and property
that Holder would have received for the Shares if this Warrant had been
exercised immediately before such reclassification, exchange, substitution, or
other event. Such an event shall include any automatic conversion of the
outstanding or issuable securities of the Company of the same class or series as
the Shares to common stock pursuant to the terms of the Company's Articles or
Certificate (as applicable) of Incorporation upon the closing of a registered
public offering of the Company's common stock. The Company or its successor
shall promptly issue to Holder an amendment to this Warrant setting forth the
number and kind of such new securities or other property issuable upon exercise
or conversion of this Warrant as a result of such reclassification, exchange,
substitution or other event that results in a change of the number and/or class
of securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant. The
amendment to this Warrant shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly
equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article
2 including, without limitation, adjustments to the Warrant Price and to the
number of securities or property issuable upon exercise of the new Warrant. The
provisions of this Article 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive
reclassifications, exchanges, substitutions, or other events.

            2.3   Intentionally Omitted.

            2.4   No Impairment. The Company shall not, by amendment of its
Articles or Certificate (as applicable) of Incorporation or through a
reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue,
or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the
observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under
this Warrant by the Company, but shall at all times in good faith assist in
carrying out of all the provisions of this Article 2 and in taking all such
action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect Holder's rights under this
Article against impairment.

                                       3
<PAGE>

            2.5   Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issuable upon
exercise or conversion of the Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued
shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional share interest
arises upon any exercise or conversion of the Warrant, the Company shall
eliminate such fractional share interest by paying Holder the amount computed by
multiplying the fractional interest by the fair market value of a full Share.

            2.6   Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the
Warrant Price, the Company shall promptly notify Holder in writing, and, at the
Company's expense, promptly compute such adjustment, and furnish Holder with a
certificate of its Chief Financial Officer setting forth such adjustment and the
facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written
request, furnish Holder a certificate setting forth the Warrant Price in effect
upon the date thereof and the series of adjustments leading to such Warrant
Price.

ARTICLE 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

            3.1   Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and
warrants to the Holder as follows:

                  (a)   The initial Warrant Price referenced on the first page
of this Warrant is not greater than the fair market value of the Shares as of
the date of this Warrant.

                  (b)   All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the
purchase right represented by this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable
upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances
except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable
federal and state securities laws.

                  (c)   The Capitalization Table previously provided to Holder
remains true and complete as of the Issue Date.

            3.2   Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time
(a) to declare any dividend or distribution upon any of its stock, whether in
cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash
dividend; (b) to offer for sale additional shares of any class or series of the
Company's stock; (c) to effect any reclassification or recapitalization of any
of its stock; (d) to merge or consolidate with or into any other corporation, or
sell, lease, license, or convey all or substantially all of its assets, or to
liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or (e) offer holders of registration rights the
opportunity to participate in an underwritten public offering of the company's
securities for cash, then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall
give Holder: (1) at least 10 days prior written notice of the date on which a
record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights
(and specifying the date on which the holders of common stock will be entitled
thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any, in respect of the matters
referred to in (c) and (d) above; (2) in the case of the matters referred to in
(c) and (d) above at least 10 days prior written notice of the date when the
same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of common
stock will be entitled to exchange their common stock for securities or other
property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event); and (3) in the case of
the matter referred to in (e) above, the same notice as is given to the holders
of such registration rights.

            3.3   Registration Under Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The
Company agrees that the Shares or, if the Shares are convertible into common
stock of the Company, such common stock, shall be subject to the registration
rights set forth on Exhibit A.

                                       4
<PAGE>

            3.4   No Shareholder Rights. Except as provided in this Warrant, the
Holder will not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the
exercise of this Warrant.

ARTICLE 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER. The Holder represents and
warrants to the Company as follows:

            4.1   Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the securities to
be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by the Holder will be acquired for
investment for the Holder's account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a
view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder
also represents that the Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of
acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

            4.2   Disclosure of Information. The Holder has received or has had
full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make
an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant
and its underlying securities. The Holder further has had an opportunity to ask
questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and
conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to
obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such
information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense)
necessary to verify any information furnished to the Holder or to which the
Holder has access.

            4.3   Investment Experience. The Holder understands that the
purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial
risk. The Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the
development stage and acknowledges that the Holder can bear the economic risk of
such Holder's investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has
such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that the Holder
is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant
and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business
relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or
controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables the Holder to be aware
of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

            4.4   Accredited Investor Status. The Holder is an "accredited
investor" within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

            4.5   The Act. The Holder understands that this Warrant and the
Shares issuable upon exercise or conversion hereof have not been registered un
the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends
upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder's investment intent
as expressed herein. The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares
issued upon any exercise or conversion hereof must be held indefinitely unless
subsequently registered under the 1933 Act and qualified under applicable state
securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification
are otherwise available.

ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

            5.1   Term: This Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any
time and from time to time on or before the Expiration Date.

            5.2   Legends. This Warrant and the Shares (and the securities
issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) shall
be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

            THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE

                                       5
<PAGE>

            NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT, OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
            STATE AND, EXCEPT AND PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE 5 BELOW,
            MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR
            HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND
            APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL
            IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE
            SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS
            EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION.

            5.3   Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. This Warrant and
the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable,
directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be
transferred or assigned in whole or in part without compliance with applicable
federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee
(including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation
letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably
requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an
opinion of counsel if the transfer is to Silicon Valley Bancshares (Holder's
parent company) or any other affiliate of Holder. Additionally, the Company
shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as
to the availability of current information as referenced in Rule 144(c), Holder
represents that it has complied with Rule 144(d) and (e) in reasonable detail,
the selling broker represents that it has complied with Rule 144(f), and the
Company is provided with a copy of Holder's notice of proposed sale.

            5.4   Transfer Procedure. Upon receipt by Holder of the executed
Warrant, Holder will transfer all of this Warrant to Silicon Valley Bancshares,
Holder's parent company, by execution of an Assignment substantially in the form
of Appendix 2. Subject to the provisions of Article 5.3 and upon providing
Company with written notice, Silicon Valley Bancshares and any subsequent Holder
may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of
this Warrant (or the Shares issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of
the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any
such transfer, Silicon Valley Bancshares or any subsequent Holder will give the
Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name,
address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will
surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and
Holder if applicable). The Company may refuse to transfer this Warrant or the
Shares to any person who directly competes with the Company, unless, in either
case, the stock of the Company is publicly traded.

            5.5   Notices. All notices and other communications from the Company
to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective when given
personally or mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage
prepaid, at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or the
Holder, as the case may (or on the first business day after transmission by
facsimile) be, in writing by the Company or such holder from time to time.
Effective upon receipt of the fully executed Warrant and the initial transfer
described in Article 5.4 above, all notices to the Holder shall be addressed as
follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection
with a transfer or otherwise:

                  Silicon Valley Bancshares
                  Attn:  Treasury Department
                  3003 Tasman Drive, HA 200
                  Santa Clara, CA 95054
                  Telephone: 408-654-7400
                  Facsimile: 408-496-2405

                                       6
<PAGE>

      Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until the Holder
receives notice of a change in address:

                  Superconductor Technologies
                  Attn: Martin S. McDermut
                  460 Ward Drive
                  Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2310
                  Telephone (805) 690-4539
                  Facsimile: (805) 682-9496

            5.6   Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed,
waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the
party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination
is sought.

            5.7   Attorney's Fees. In the event of any dispute between the
parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party
prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all
costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorney's fees.

            5.8   Automatic Conversion upon Expiration. In the event that, upon
the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security
issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3
above is greater than the Exercise Price in effect on such date, then this
Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be converted
pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for
which it shall not previously have been exercised or converted, and the Company
shall promptly deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other
securities) issued upon such conversion to the Holder.

            5.9   Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts,
all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

            5.10  Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to
its principles regarding conflicts of law.

                                       7
<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Warrant as of
the date first written above.

                                     "COMPANY"
                                     Superconductor Technologies Inc.

                                     By:__________________________________

                                     Name: _______________________________
                                           (Print)
                                     Title: Chairman of the Board, President or
                                            Vice President

                                     By:__________________________________

                                     Name: _______________________________
                                            (Print)
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer, Secretary,
                                            Assistant Treasurer or Assistant
                                            Secretary

                                     "HOLDER"
                                     Silicon Valley Bank

                                     By:__________________________________

                                     Name:________________________________

                                     Title:_______________________________

Warrant Effective Date: ___________

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX 1

                               NOTICE OF EXERCISE

      1.    Holder elects to purchase ___________ shares of the Common Stock of
Superconductor Technologies Inc. pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant,
and tenders payment of the purchase price of the shares in full.

            [or]

      1.    Holder elects to convert the attached Warrant into Shares/cash
[strike one] in the manner specified in the Warrant. This conversion is
exercised for _____________________ of the Shares covered by the Warrant.

      [Strike paragraph that does not apply.]

      2.    Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the shares
in the name specified below:

                  ___________________________________________
                           Holders Name

                  ___________________________________________

                  ___________________________________________
                           (Address)

      3.    By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder
hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Article 4 of the
Warrant as the date hereof.

                                           HOLDER:

                                           __________________________________

                                           By:_______________________________

                                           Name:_____________________________

                                           Title:____________________________

                                           (Date):___________________________

<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX 2

                                   ASSIGNMENT

For value received, Silicon Valley Bank hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto
                  Name:       Silicon Valley Bancshares
                  Address:    3003 Tasman Drive (HA-200)
                              Santa Clara, CA 95054

                  Tax ID: 91-1962278

that certain Warrant to Purchase Stock issued by Superconductor Technologies
Inc. (the "Company"), on ____________________ (the "Warrant") together with all
rights, title and interest therein.

                                           Silicon Valley Bank

                                           By:______________________________

                                           Name:____________________________

                                           Title:___________________________

Date: [insert Issue Date]____________

By its execution below, and for the benefit of the Company, Silicon Valley
Bancshares makes each of the representations and warranties set forth in Article
4 of the Warrant as of the date hereof.

                                           Silicon Valley Bancshares

                                           By:______________________________

                                           Name:____________________________

                                           Title:___________________________

<PAGE>

                                   "EXHIBIT A"
                               SILICON VALLEY BANK
                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

      THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT is entered into as of Warrant Effective
Date, by and between Silicon Valley Bank ("Purchaser") and the Company whose
name appears on the last page of this Agreement.

                                    RECITALS

      A.    Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, the Purchaser is
purchasing from the Company a Warrant to Purchase Stock (the "Warrant") pursuant
to which Purchaser has the right to acquire from the Company the Shares (as
defined in the Warrant).

      B.    By this Agreement, the Purchaser and the Company desire to set forth
the registration rights of the Shares all as provided herein.

      C.    Capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meaning as set
forth in the Warrant.

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants
and conditions hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto mutually agree as
follows:

      1.    Registration Rights. The Company covenants and agrees as follows:

            1.1   Definitions. For purposes of this Section 1:

                  (a)   The term "register," "registered," and "registration"
refer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration
statement or similar document in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness
of such registration statement or document;

                  (b)   The term "Registrable Securities" means (i) the Shares
(if Common Stock) or all shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable or
issued upon conversion of the Shares and (ii) any Common Stock of the Company
issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or
other security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, any stock referred to in (i).

                  (c)   The terms "Holder" or "Holders" means the Purchaser or
qualifying transferees under subsection 1.8 hereof who hold Registrable
Securities.

                  (d)   The term "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

            1.2   Company Registration.

                  (a)   Registration. If at any time or from time to time, the
Company shall determine to register any of its securities, for its own account
or the account of any of its shareholders, other than a registration on Form S-1
or S-8 relating solely to employee stock option or purchase plans, or a
registration on Form S-4 relating solely to an SEC Rule 145 transaction, or a
registration on any other form (other than Form S-1, S-2, S-3 or S-18, or their
successor forms) or any successor to such forms,

<PAGE>

which does not include substantially the same information as would be required
to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of Registrable
Securities, the Company will:

                        (i)   promptly give to each Holder written notice
thereof (which shall include a list of the jurisdictions in which the Company
intends to attempt to qualify such securities under the applicable blue sky or
other state securities laws); and

                        (ii)  include in such registration (and compliance), and
in any underwriting involved therein, all the Registrable Securities specified
in a written request or requests, made within 30 days after receipt of such
written notice from the Company, by any Holder or Holders, except as set forth
in subsection 1.2(b) below.

                  (b)   Underwriting. If the registration of which the Company
gives notice is for a registered public offering involving an underwriting, the
Company shall so advise the Holders as a part of the written notice given
pursuant to subsection 1.2 (a) (i). In such event the right of any Holder to
registration pursuant to this subsection 1.2 shall be conditioned upon such
Holder's participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder's
Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All
Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall
(together with the Company and the other shareholders distributing their
securities through such underwriting) enter into an underwriting agreement in
customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such
underwriting by the Company.

            1.3   Expenses of Registration. All expenses incurred in connection
with any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 1
including without limitation, all registration, filing and qualification fees,
printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and
expenses of any special audits incidental to or required by such registration,
shall be borne by the Company except the Company shall not be required to pay
underwriters' fees, discounts or commissions relating to Registrable Securities.
All expenses of any registered offering not otherwise borne by the Company shall
be borne pro rata among the Holders participating in the offering and the
Company.

            1.4   Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration,
qualification or compliance effected by the Company pursuant to this
Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will keep each Holder participating
therein advised in writing as to the initiation of each registration,
qualification and compliance and as to the completion thereof. Except as
otherwise provided in subsection 1.3, at its expense the Company will:

                  (a)   Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep
such registration statement effective for up to 120 days.

                  (b)   Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all
securities covered by such registration statement.

                  (c)   Furnish to the Holders such numbers of copies of a
prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the
requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may
reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable
Securities owned by them.

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<PAGE>

                  (d)   Use its best efforts to register and qualify the
securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the
Holders, provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith
or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent
to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.

                  (e)   In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter
into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and
customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering. Each Holder
participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its
obligations under such an agreement.

                  (f)   Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by
such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is
required to be delivered under the Securities Act or the happening of any event
as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as
then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then
existing.

            1.5   Indemnification.

                  (a)   The Company will indemnify each Holder of Registrable
Securities and each of its officers, directors and partners, and each person
controlling such Holder, with respect to which such registration, qualification
or compliance has been effected pursuant to this Rights Agreement, and each
underwriter, if any, and each person who controls any underwriter of the
Registrable Securities held by or issuable to such Holder, against all claims,
losses, expenses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereto)
arising out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of
a material fact contained in any prospectus, offering circular or other document
(including any related registration statement, notification or the like)
incident to any such registration, qualification or compliance, or based on any
omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not misleading, or any
violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, ("Exchange Act") or any state
securities law applicable to the Company or any rule or regulation promulgated
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any such state law and relating to
action or inaction required of the Company in connection with any such
registration, qualification of compliance, and will reimburse each such Holder,
each of its officers, directors and partners, and each person controlling such
Holder, each such underwriter and each person who controls any such underwriter,
within a reasonable amount of time after incurred for any reasonable legal and
any other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or
settling any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.5 (a) shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability,
or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company
(which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided further, that
the Company will not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
claim, loss, damage or liability arises out of or is based on any untrue
statement or omission based upon written information furnished to the Company by
an instrument duly executed by such Holder or underwriter specifically for use
therein.

                  (b)   Each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by or
issuable to such Holder are included in the securities as to which such
registration, qualification or compliance is being effected, indemnify the
Company, each of its directors and officers, each underwriter, if any, of the
Company's securities covered by such a registration statement, each person who
controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, and each other
such Holder, each of its officers, directors and

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partners and each person controlling such Holder, against all claims, losses,
expenses, damages and liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arising out of
or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material
fact contained in any such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular
or other document, or any omission (or alleged omission) to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, and will reimburse the Company, such Holders, such
directors, officers, partners, persons or underwriters for any reasonable legal
or any other expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or
settling any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action, in each case to the
extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue
statement) or omission (or alleged omission) is made in such registration
statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by an instrument
duly executed by such Holder specifically for use therein; provided, however,
that the indemnity agreement contained in this subsection 1.5(b) shall not apply
to amounts paid in settlement of any such claim, loss, damage, liability or
action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld); and provided further, that the
total amount for which any Holder shall be liable under this subsection 1.5(b)
shall not in any event exceed the aggregate proceeds received by such Holder
from the sale of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in such
registration.

                  (c)   Each party entitled to indemnification under this
subsection 1.5 (the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required
to provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such
Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be
sought, and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any
such claim or any litigation resulting therefrom; provided that counsel for the
Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or litigation,
shall be approved by the Indemnified Party (whose approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld), and the Indemnified Party may participate in such
defense at such party's expense; and provided further, that the failure of any
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations hereunder, unless such failure resulted in
prejudice to the Indemnifying Party; and provided further, that an Indemnified
Party (together with all other Indemnified Parties which may be represented
without conflict by one counsel) shall have the right to retain one separate
counsel, with the fees and expenses to be paid by the Indemnifying Party, if
representation of such Indemnified Party by the counsel retained by the
Indemnifying Party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing
interests between such Indemnified Party and any other party represented by such
counsel in such proceeding. No Indemnifying Party, in the defense of any such
claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each Indemnified Party,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does not
include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff
to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability in respect to such
claim or litigation.

            1.6   Information by Holder. Any Holder or Holders of Registrable
Securities included in any registration shall promptly furnish to the Company
such information regarding such Holder or Holders and the distribution proposed
by such Holder or Holders as the Company may request in writing and as shall be
required in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance
referred to herein.

            1.7   Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available to Holders
the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may permit the
sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the
Company agrees at all times to:

                  (a)   make and keep public information available, as those
terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144, after 90 days after the
effective date of the first registration filed by the Company for an offering of
its securities to the general public;

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<PAGE>

                  (b)   file with the SEC in a timely manner all reports and
other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting
requirements); and

                  (c)   so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, to
furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request a written statement by the Company
as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144 (at any
time after 90 days after the effective date of the first registration statement
filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public),
and of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become
subject to such reporting requirements), a copy of the most recent annual or
quarterly report of the Company, and such other reports and documents so filed
by the Company as the Holder may reasonably request in complying with any rule
or regulation of the SEC allowing the Holder to sell any such securities without
registration.

            1.8   Transfer of Registration Rights. Holders' rights to cause the
Company to register their securities and keep information available, granted to
them by the Company under subsections 1.2 and 1.7 may be assigned to a
transferee or assignee of a Holder's Registrable Securities not sold to the
public, provided, that the Company is given written notice by such Holder at the
time of or within a reasonable time after said transfer, stating the name and
address of said transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with
respect to which such registration rights are being assigned. The Company may
prohibit the transfer of any Holders' rights under this subsection 1.8 to any
proposed transferee or assignee who the Company reasonably believes is a
competitor of the Company.

      2.    General.

            2.1   Waivers and Amendments. With the written consent of the record
or beneficial holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities, the
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Registrable
Securities under this agreement may be waived (either generally or in a
particular instance, either retroactively or prospectively, and either for a
specified period of time or indefinitely), and with the same consent the
Company, when authorized by resolution of its Board of Directors, may enter into
a supplementary agreement for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement;
provided, however, that no such modification, amendment or waiver shall reduce
the aforesaid percentage of Registrable Securities without the consent of all of
the Holders of the Registrable Securities. Upon the effectuation of each such
waiver, consent, agreement of amendment or modification, the Company shall
promptly give written notice thereof to the record holders of the Registrable
Securities who have not previously consented thereto in writing. This Agreement
or any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by
a statement in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the
change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, except to the extent
provided in this subsection 2.1.

            2.2   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed in all
respects by the laws of the State of California as such laws are applied to
agreements between California residents entered into and to be performed
entirely within California.

            2.3   Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding
upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the
parties hereto.

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<PAGE>

            2.4   Entire Agreement. Except as set forth below, this Agreement
and the other documents delivered pursuant hereto constitute the full and entire
understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects
hereof and thereof.

            2.5   Notices, etc. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
addressed (a) if to Holder, at such Holder's address as set forth below, or at
such other address as such Holder shall have furnished to the Company in
writing, or (b) if to the Company, at the Company's address set forth below, or
at such other address as the Company shall have furnished to the Holder in
writing.

            2.6   Severability. In case any provision of this Agreement shall be
invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions of this Agreement or any provision of the other
Agreement s shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

            2.7   Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and
subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not
to be considered in construing this Agreement.

            2.8   Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.

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<PAGE>

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the date first written above.

PURCHASER                                     COMPANY

SILICON VALLEY BANK                           SUPERCONDUCTOR
                                              TECHNOLOGIES INC.

By:____________________________               By:_______________________________

Name:__________________________               Name:_____________________________

Title:_________________________               Title:____________________________

Address:                                      Address:

3003 Tasman Drive                             460 Ward Drive
Santa Clara, CA 95054                         Santa Barbara, CA 93111-2310

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